Orkney launch for author’s new book

A new book by travel writer Rupert Wolfe Murray will be launched at The Orcadian Bookshop tomorrow afternoon, Tuesday.

Rupert Wolfe Murray was afraid of travelling into the unknown but he managed to get away from a comfortable life in Scotland, hitchhike through Eastern Europe, India and Nepal and spent almost a year in a country where foreign residents are forbidden.

He explained: “I wrote 9 Months in Tibet in order to inspire people who feel trapped by their families, colleges and jobs – not just to go on holiday but to travel alone, into the unknown, for a year or more. Some people never overcome their fears and independent travel is the best way to start doing so. The rewards are incredible.”

9 Months in Tibet is a true story set in 1986 and 1987, when Tibet was briefly open to independent travellers.

It’s about looking for work on the roof of the world, rubbing along with annoying backpackers, adapting to a strange culture, trekking among nomads and yaks, riding a horse across Tibet, witnessing a violent protest of Buddhist monks against the Chinese police and getting expelled by the Chinese police.

The author is currently cycling around the Highlands and Islands and will be in The Orcadian Bookshop between 2pm and 5pm tomorrow.