A new book exploring the history and nature hidden in plain sight across West Dunbartonshire launched last week.
Alexandria author Paul Murdoch launched The Nature of West Dunbartonshire series, with four books covering walks in each season.
It marks a change from Paul’s usual work, which has seen him pen a collection of popular fiction novels – as well as the hilarious Old Bloke Goes Running and Old Bloke Goes Swimming, which explored his attempts to keep fit in later life.
Paul explained: “I have done a lot of fictional books over the years, and I’ve done a couple of semi-factual ones on running and swimming.
“During lockdown, I took up my old hobby of birdwatching.
“I started doing these walks I used to do as a kid. Over the last two-and-a-half years I gathered a lot of photographs of birds and insects.
“I also got involved in learning about the area’s history as well.
“Through a combination of learning about the history and all these pictures and walks I thought, why not combine them all?
“I want to get people out to learn about the area.
“I’ve got to admit, even after I’ve done the walks 20-odd times, there were a lot of things I found out that I didn’t know.
“I’ve been here all my life, and only through the book did I find out half the stuff.”
You can pick up Paul’s book at the VisitScotland Balloch Information Centre or via Paulmurdoch.co.uk.
