Ring of Bright Water by Gavin Maxwell – 2009 Paperback

by Gavin Maxwell

This memoir is often associated with otters - which, for me, is reason enough to read it. Otters are wonderful. But this book is  part travel, part natural world, part human experience  - it's beautifully written and best read, I think, slowly and reflectively. 

On returning from travelling around southern Iraq (this was in the 1950s), Maxwell brings with him an otter cub - Mijbil.  Whilst the first part of this book focuses on the remote property Maxwell buys in Scotland, the second part is about life with Mijbil and the surrounding natural world in the remote Highlands. 

This is a beautiful paperback edition of this book. Printed in 2009. It includes original black and white photographs and sketches. In excellent condition.