Whisky, Kilts, and the Loch Ness Monster: Traveling through Scotland with Boswell and Johnson

by William W. Starr

Whisky, Kilts, and the Loch Ness Monster is a memoir of a twenty-first-century literary pilgrimage to retrace the famous eighteenth-century Scottish journey of James Boswell and Samuel Johnson, two of the most celebrated writers of their day. An accomplished journalist and aficionado of fine literature, William W. Starr enlivens this crisply written travelogue with a playful wit, an enthusiasm for all things Scottish, the boon and burden of American sensibility, and an ardent appreciation for Boswell and Johnson―who make frequent cameos throughout these ramblings.

In 1773 the sixty-three-year-old Johnson was England's preeminent man of letters, and Boswell, some thirty years Johnson's junior, was on the cusp of achieving his own literary celebrity. For more than one hundred days, the distinguished duo toured what was then largely unknown Scottish terrain, later publishing their impressions of the trip in a pair of classic journals. In 2007 Starr embarked on a three-thousand-mile trek through the Scottish Lowlands and Highlands, following the path―though in reverse―of Boswell and Johnson. Starr tracked their route as closely as the threat of storms, distractions of pubs, and limitations of time would allow. Like his literary forebears, he recorded a wealth of keen observations on his encounters with places and people, lochs and lore, castles and clans, fables and foibles. The tour begins and ends in Edinburgh and includes along the way visits to Glasgow, Inverness, Loch Ness, Culloden, Auchinleck, the Isles of Iona and Skye, and many more destinations. In addition Starr expands his course to include two of the farthest reaches of Scotland where eighteenth-century travelers dared not the Outer Hebrides and the Orkney Islands, remarkable regions shaped by distinctive weather, history, and isolation.

Blending biography, intellectual and cultural history, and comic asides into his travelogue, Starr has crafts an inviting vantage point from which to view aspects of Scotland's storied past and complex present through an illuminating literary lens.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Scotland, History

232 pages, Hardcover

First published December 21, 2010

Reviews

[Erika Janik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite a kind of misleading (though I understand more appealing marketing-wise) title, Starr's book focuses on a recreation of Johnson and Boswell's tour of 18th century tour of Scotland. Kilts and monsters play only a minor role, though Starr does frequently mention whisky on his drive around the country. I enjoyed the comparisons of old Scotland with today, and his interactions with local people. Starr has a friendly and inquisitive voice that makes him an engaging guide to fascinating place.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how the author sums it up: "And how can you not savor a nation whose favorite word is numpty?"
Great travel book.

[Gort · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minus esse sed laboriosam quia harum. Et unde rerum. Mollitia est voluptatem. Ut eveniet quae. Fuga quibusdam sequi reprehenderit.

[Madisson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A blast of a book! William Starr documents his own journey through Scotland, tracing in reverse the path of James Boswell and Samuel Johnson (who undertook their journey in 1773) with lots and lots of history and a nice bit of humor. I know the title may sound a bit cheesy, but it's actually a very informative read. Even though I don't have a drop of Scottish blood in me (as far as I know), I join with the author in saying "there's surely something coursing in me that connects me to this very special place in a very special way".

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining book, as I have been to many of the places that he describes. There were parts that were funny (I can relate to his anecdotes regarding driving on the left side of the road), informative (his descriptions of the castles and history of Scotland), and tedious (some of the back story on Boswell and Johnson, though informative, detracted from the overall narrative).

I wouldn't necessarily say that this is a great travel book for someone, but it was a happy reminder of the places that I have been and the things that I have seen.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite an interesting read about the author's 21st century travels in Scotland. You will especially enjoy this book if you love travel to somewhat desolate locations with less than wonderful weather, have a special interest in Scotland, or are a fan of 18th century authors James Boswell and Samuel Johnson. Please do not anticipate that this work will solve the Loch Ness monster mystery:)

[Sabra Kurth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the author’s account of his journey to Scotland to retrace the 1773 journey of James Boswell and Samuel Johnson. Entertaining throughout, the author gave wonderful homage to the great writers.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got very tired of the repeated references to Mel Gibson and Braveheart. That movie was violence for violence's sake. Scotland is much more than William Wallace. However, I loved the bibliography.

[Susan Katz · Rating 1 out of 5]

BORING BORING BORING WRITER!

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly couldn't get into the Boswell - Johnson aspect at all, but as a travel narrative of the author's travels through Scotland the book worked out well - his "voice" reminded me an awful lot of Mark Richardson's Zen and Now: on the Trail of Robert Pirsig and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, if you like one, you're pretty much guaranteed to like the other.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up at the library before my trip to Scotland, and not because of an interest in Boswell and Johnson.
It ended up being very helpful in informing my trip, and surprisingly entertaining and funny. Because of this book, as an example, I knew to look for the John Lennon memorial in Durness (whose guest house/tourist situation has improved since the author stayed there), and it meant more to me when I inadvertently stayed at a guest house on the Isle of Skye that the titular pair also stopped at.

[Bonnie]

I was hoping there was more to the book than the repeated words "Boswell & Johnson". Not much mention of kilts in the 140+ pages I suffered though, and I hoped it would have had more interest or any excitement.
Just a bore and I wouldn't recommend it, unless you have no other books and a weekend of confinement.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I missed going to the outer Hebrides and Shetland and Orkney Islands on my one trip to Scotland and this book told me what I missed out on. It also made me want to read Boswell and Johnson, at least while I was reading it.

[Roger Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

very enjoyable

[Donna Schauland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this while traveling through Scotland...I found it very informative and entertaining. I even recommended it our tour manager.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

very enjoyable.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly, this is a great travel guide. If I get a chance to go back to Scotland, this book is coming with me.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read this book when it came out, and reread it while in Scotland and during return. It provide some good insights as we had visited some of the same locations.