Book Review

Trainspots, Volume 5 - Northern Scotland, by Marcus Dawson; 164 pages; over 200 photos and 78 Ordnance Survey maps; full colour throughout; A5 size softback; £13.95 (UK only).

This book, published during February, was seen in the Ian Allan shop in Manchester in early April. It is the fifth in a series of books called Trainspots that cover railway photography locations across the country. Featuring Northern Scotland, it provides a valuable aid to all those who like to photograph or observe Britain's railways. Describing 69 locations, each one is depicted on an extract from an Ordnance Survey map and includes full directions on how to get there by car or public transport. Sat-Nav and map co-ordinates are also given.

In addition there are numerous photos to illustrate the location, helpful details covering what you are likely to see, where to park, local amenities (particularly for food and drink), whether climbing steps is required, the best time of day to visit and whether you are likely to encounter any grumpy livestock!

The following routes are included: Inverness - Wick and Thurso; the Kyle Line; Highland Main Line; Inverness - Aberdeen; Aberdeen - Dundee; the Oban Line; Crianlarich - Fort William; and the Mallaig Line. The book has a gloss laminated cover plus coloured chapter tabs and an alphabetical index. It can be purchased from good transport bookshops or can be ordered online .