Britain's national mapping agency, the Ordnance Survey, lead an annual National Map Reading week every October. Its aim is to encourage the awareness and use of maps, following a survey that revealed that many Brits couldn't place major cities such as London or Birmingham on a map of their own country.
My first encounter with maps was as a young boy in the Boys' Brigade. In those days expeditions were a big part of being a member of an organised youth group. And I loved being outside exploring as my love of maps grew. A map provided me with my own independence. It was a key to hours of adventure on my terms.
Even today, I can spend hours looking at a map. Following the course of rivers from village to town to sea. Tracing the contours around hillsides and mountains. Or just looking at the intriguing names of places. In doing so I can drift away to new places or recall those paths I've travelled many times before.
To celebrate the wonder of maps I've selected my favourite spots across the Scottish Highlands revealed by their corresponding map section. Turning to the beautifully drawn Ordnance Survey One-inch maps of the 1940s and 1950s for my inspiration.
Come back each day over the next week to discover the next map in my journey around the Highlands:
Ancient volcanic crags reveal the mysterious cliffs around a rock pinnacle surrounded by old legends of giants and sea creatures.
Often known as the "brooch of Scotland" this medieval city has helped shape the history of our nation. Standing on the castle ramparts you look out across a landscape of battlefields and turmoil.
3. Ardnamurchan Point
Coming soon.
4. Kinlochleven
Coming soon.
5. Tomintoul
Coming soon.
6. Eigg
Coming soon.
7. Cromarty
Coming soon.