Bothy Tales cover art

Bothy Tales

Footsteps in the Scottish Hills

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Bothy Tales

By: John D. Burns
Narrated by: John D. Burns
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About this listen

Author shortlisted for the Great Outdoors Book of the Year. John D. Burns is an award-winning mountain author.

I can move only with the aid of barrels of anti-inflammatory gel, sticking plasters, and real ale anesthetic. Martin and I descend from hours of walking to the small town of Middleton-in-Teesdale. I walk, stiff-legged, into the campsite office, and a plump, middle-aged woman looks up from her desk and can see the old timer is in trouble.

“Oh, what a shame you weren’t here last week,” she says, pity radiating from behind her horn-rimmed specs. “You’ve missed him.”

I look at her, puzzled.

“Elvis!” she explains. “You missed Elvis.”

Oh God, now I’m hallucinating.

From remote glens deep in the Scottish Highlands, John D. Burns brings a new volume of tales - some dramatic, some moving, some hilarious - from the isolated shelters mountain people call bothies. Travel with Burns to secret places hidden amongst the British mountains and share his passion for the wonderful wildness of our uplands. Meet the vivid cast of characters who play their games there - from climbers with more balls than sense to a young man who doesn’t have the slightest idea what he’s letting himself in for!

©2018 John D. Burns (P)2020 John D. Burns Climbing & Mountaineering Outdoors & Nature Travel Writing & Commentary Highlander Funny Witty

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All stars
Most relevant  
I liked the accounts of John's adventures but wasn't bothered for the made-up tales Nicely articulated but let down by poor quality recording.

Good story telling, distracted by poor recording

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A decent enough collection of tales let down by some dismal editing - often repeating lines - and the narrator sounding like he was in a cardboard box and often losing the rhythm of the story. If I was a diehard fan of these types of stories I would, in this instance, probably buy the book and read it myself.

Decent tales let down by editing

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The poor sound quality was really off-putting while listening & spoilt the audio book. Such a shame as the tales themselves were great.

Great stories. Awful sound quality.

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What a treat! Really interesting and funny. I felt the pain walking through the wet peaty bog and was minded never attempt a walk on such terrain.

Really enjoyable

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After reading the last hillwalker I was keen to try bothy tales as one of my first titles on audible. Narrated by the author himself this is a great collection of humourous tales and anecdotes that will enthrall any lover of the mountains and wild places. Well done John, I couldn't put it down and it had me in stitches at times.

A great listen.

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A lovely collecton of short reminisces around....well the use of bothy's. A really chilled out listen that takes you gently into the great outdoors. I note many other reviewers mention the questionable recording quality but what if just what if the narrator is actually a genius and recorded it whilst in a bothy for added authenticity? No? Ah well, we can always pretend! Worth a listen all the same.

Poor sound quality or actually recorded in a bothy

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A great book that just made me yearn to get back to a bothy.

Great listen

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Having enjoyed The last hillwalker I was keen to give this a try. The story is entertaining enough but not quite as good as the first book. Sadly the audio is terrible. It’s really badly read, lots of mistakes and errors. Not a professional job at all. I’d strongly recommended the physical book rather than listening to John stumble his way through his book in a clumsy often embarrassing fashion.

A decent book but an terrible listen.

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Really enjoyed this audio book, which is very funny in places. The production is not exactly slick - I thought he’d recorded it in a bothy until I heard a phone ringing in the background. Works well though.

Great writing and narration

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Many outside left in so phrases repeated
This didn’t ruin the stories only slightly irritating

Good stories good narration poor editing

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