High and Low Quotes

“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.”
― Keith Foskett, High and Low: How I Hiked Away From Depression Across Scotland

“I think that’s why I ended up how I did. The enforced schooling, training, and jobs I dealt with begrudgingly for years moulded me into someone who resented authority. Of course, I was too young to understand at the time. Now my hatred of the system we live in – the politics, the rules, regulations I’m expected to abide by – angers me.”
― Keith Foskett, High and Low: How I Hiked Away From Depression Across Scotland

“I was soaked to the bone and due to get even wetter so decided on the harder of the two trails, comforted by the fact that, hopefully, it would be quicker and there would be lodging at Inchnadamph.”
― Keith Foskett, High and Low: How I Hiked Away From Depression Across Scotland

“the destination holds little significance, it’s the journey that matters.”
― Keith Foskett, High and Low: How I Hiked Away From Depression Across Scotland

“The true gift of this hike so far is the waterfalls. I understand now that these glorious displays of power are common in a landscape such as north-west Scotland, but it wasn’t a sight I had prepared myself for.”
― Keith Foskett, High and Low: How I Hiked Away From Depression Across Scotland

“some 2,200ft up, and two miles distant. As if that weren’t enough, Seana Bhraigh and Meall Glac an Ruighe tore into the sky, attempting to upstage Gleann a’ Chadha Dheirg itself. It appeared the sky wanted in on the action too. The clouds had merged into one huge mass which sported virtually every possible variation of black, white and grey. It rippled and undulated as though alive, breathing, and then, as if I couldn’t take any more, the sun appeared again. Through the tiniest break in this veil high above, chinks of light streamed through, flashes raced down to meet me as I appreciated their warmth. The Highlands came alive, light and shadow danced over the lowlands and tore up the mountains. Dark then light, in shadow then illumination, it was the ultimate cinematic experience, and I was the only one there to bear witness. I sat there, open-mouthed for an hour. No-one shared my corner, nobody experienced what I had seen. It was all mine.”
― Keith Foskett, High and Low: How I Hiked Away From Depression Across Scotland

“As I progressed, the lower flanks of Seana Bhraigh cleared, revealing the wide gaping valley of Gleann a’ Chadha Dheirg. Teasingly, the spectacle unfolded. With each step came a slight change, my angle of view refined, and those lower flanks moved aside just a little more. After all the tweaks, the full majesty of Gleann a’ Chadha Dheirg presented itself. At times, it appeared menacing. Seana Bhraigh, on one side of this valley, rose and stood proud of everything it surveyed. On the other side, of shorter stature but of no less beauty, stood Meall Glac an Ruighe. Both stood guard like sentinels, one minute placid, the next imposing like the gates of hell itself. Steep sides plummeted from a lofty perch, tumbling down from grey to green lowlands, and a ribbon of shimmering water wound down to meet me. The valley walls ran away, stretching further and converging until they curved and carved in to meet each other”
― Keith Foskett, High and Low: How I Hiked Away From Depression Across Scotland

“Every five years or so, my life catches me completely off guard and my inner voice starts screwing around. I have come to accept these phases, and, despite numerous initial doubts, I treat them seriously. Each phase centres on the suggestion of a major life change, regardless of whether I think I am happy at that precise time or not. These are not, initially, conscious decisions. My inner voice proposes that I’m unhappy and, to resolve this, suggests I make some alterations, presents some hare-brained idea from nowhere, lays the cards on the table and demands a decision. As ludicrous as the cards seem, and despite my protestations, they gradually start to nibble away at my sanity until my hesitation dwindles and, most of the time, I happily accept this new idea.”
― Keith Foskett, High and Low: How I Hiked Away From Depression Across Scotland