The Scottish Highlands has some of the most stunning scenery in the UK and a lifestyle to match.
So, imagine living there and enjoying the fabulous adventures to be had. Author Rory Putman has a lovely way of spinning a yarn and drawing the reader into the magic of Scotland.
His latest book, Leaving Lethinnis follows on from the success of his previous book based on the fictional crafting hamlet.
In a change of career, the former professional biologist has taken pen to paper to entertain with some lovely tales.
In this sequel, Rory offers a further collection of pen-portraits from those early years in the place he has called Lochuisge.
In the tradition of Lillian Beckwith’s The Hills is Lonely or Sybil Armstrong’s A Croft in Clachan, the anecdotes inevitably revolve around the strong characters that made up this isolated community and became part of everyday life.
Rory draws on his work as a biologist to feature both animal and human, with the various tales capturing the atmosphere of living and working in a tight-knit community in which he and his wife were so immediately welcomed.
After 20 years leading a research group in wildlife biology at the University of Southampton, Rory Putman decided to ‘retire’ to the Highlands of Scotland, moving with his wife to a croft at the edge of a small and somewhat inaccessible village on the west coast.
In the same vein as the well-received Life in Lethinnis, Rory offers a further collection of cameos from those first few years when the couple moved into and settled in their remote smallholding.
The author’s intimate writing style draws the reader with him into the heart of that same community. But in this sequel, there is perhaps a greater darkness as Putman registers that life on the Peninsula is changing and that he is in in effect chronicling the end of an era.
It’s a beautiful book full of character, warmth and one which will encourage the reader to dream about a lifestyle change.
Published: 31st March 2025
UK Price: £16.99
ISBN: 978-184995-599-7
Format: Paperback
Pages: 160 pages with 25 black & white pencil sketches
Leaving Lethinnis
By Rory Putman
Published by Whittles Publishing
Leaving Lethinnis is available to buy on the Whittles Publishing website, from Waterstones and TGJones (formerly WH Smith).
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
Book cover image courtesy of Whittles Publishing, top image by Mariusz Matuszewski from Pixabay
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