Book review – The Finest Road In The World by James Miller

James Miller tells the dramatic and sometimes surprisingly humorous story of travel and transport in the Highlands, from the eighteen century to the present.

It is a story of journeys on foot, by horse, coach, steamer, locomotive, motor car and aircraft.

Some of the figures in the book are very familiar – General George Wade, Thomas Telford and Joseph Mitchell among them – but there are a host of others too, including the intrepid Lady Sarah Murray, who offered sound advice for travellers: ‘provide yourself with a strong roomy carriage, and have the springs well
corded’.

The Finest Road In The World by James Miller

This thought-provoking book will appeal to all who like stories of travel and transport, and are interested in how changing modes of transport have affected the ways of life in the Highlands and remain crucial to the modern life and the future of the region.

The Finest Road In The World by James Miller, £12.99, published by Birlinn.

Scottish Field rating: ****