How do you feel when you’re walking on Kinder Scout? In this interview with photographer John Beatty he talks about how he interprets what he feels in a visual way. He shares the story behind his collaborative book with Ed Douglas: Kinder Scout - The People’s Mountain. You’ll also hear about his childhood memories of walking here, which parts of Kinder Scout he particularly appreciates, and why he thinks it’s much more than being a place. At the end John describes what makes him wild about Kinder Scout, closing with a beautiful quote.

John Beatty is a nature, travel and adventure photographer. He has ventured across the world, returning with stories of his experiences of the wilderness which few have encountered. His books include The Pure Land: A Celebration of Wild Places, Sula: Seabird Hunters of Lewis, Wild Vision, and Kinder Scout - The People’s Mountain. He also publishes the annual Wild Nature Diary for the John Muir Trust. John lives in the Peak District where enjoys walking and cycling among his home moors.

Questions

• What’s special about this bench that we’re sitting on?
• Is there a particular part of Kinder Scout that you think is really special?
• What about the seasons?
• What first brought you here?
• How did your photography come into it?
• As a photographer, how do you take photos of Kinder Scout and what you see here?
• What’s the story behind your collaborative book about Kinder Scout?
• Do you feel like you lose track of time when you're taking photographs?
• Do you think you would do another similar book about Kinder Scout?
• Why did you choose the title to be “The People’s Mountain”?
• How have you captured some of the wildlife on Kinder Scout?
• Are there any particular challenges that you’ve had to work through on Kinder Scout?
• Do you consider it a wild place?
• Is there one photo in your book that you think best represents your personal connection with this place?
• What makes you wild about Kinder Scout?

References

Kinder Scout - The People’s Mountain

Links

John Beatty’s website

Recording date

This interview was recorded in Edale on 13th September 2022.

Host & Production

Host & Editor - Sarah Lister, About The Adventure

Art designer - Alec Boyd, The Northern Project

Images

Artwork photography provided by John Beatty.

Supported by Peak District National Park

This project is supported by the Peak District National Park Communities Small Grants Scheme.

Contact the host

You can email sarah@sarahventurer.com to send in your comments and suggestions.

Get involved with the conversation

Share your thoughts by tagging @about.the.adventure and @peakdistrictnationalpark on Instagram @ABTheAdventure and