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Nan Shepherd

28quotes

Nan Shepherd: A Life of Wonder and Words


Full Name and Common Aliases


Nan Shepherd was a Scottish poet, writer, and mountaineer whose life's work continues to captivate readers with its lyrical prose and profound insights into the human experience.

Birth and Death Dates


Born on February 3, 1893, in Aberdeen, Scotland, Nan Shepherd passed away on September 6, 1981, at the age of 88.

Nationality and Profession(s)


She was a Scottish poet, writer, and mountaineer who gained recognition for her unique blend of literary and outdoor pursuits. Her work spans genres such as poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and travel writing.

Early Life and Background


Nan Shepherd's life began in Aberdeen, where she grew up surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Scottish landscape. Her early years were marked by a deep connection to nature, which would later become the foundation of her writing. She developed a love for poetry at an early age, inspired by the works of William Wordsworth and Robert Burns.

Major Accomplishments


Nan Shepherd's literary career spanned over four decades, during which she published several collections of poetry and prose. Her most notable work is "The Living Mountain," a non-fiction book that explores her relationship with the Cairngorms mountain range in Scotland. This book is considered one of her masterpieces, offering insights into the human experience through its lyrical descriptions of nature.

Notable Works or Actions


Some of Nan Shepherd's notable works include:

"The Quarry Wood," a poetry collection that explores themes of love, loss, and nature.
 "In the Cairngorms," a travelogue that captures her experiences as a mountaineer in Scotland's most beautiful landscapes.
* "Peripetia," a short story collection that showcases her versatility as a writer.

Impact and Legacy


Nan Shepherd's work has had a lasting impact on Scottish literature, influencing generations of writers with its unique blend of poetry and prose. Her writing continues to inspire readers worldwide, offering insights into the human experience through its exploration of nature and the self.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Nan Shepherd is widely quoted and remembered for her profound insights into the human experience. Her writing captures the essence of Scotland's rugged beauty, while also exploring themes of love, loss, and identity. Her legacy extends beyond her literary contributions, as she paved the way for future generations of women writers in Scotland.

Her work continues to captivate readers with its lyricism, depth, and insight into the human experience. As a writer who bridged the gap between poetry and prose, Nan Shepherd's life and work serve as a testament to the power of literature to inspire, educate, and uplift us all.

Quotes by Nan Shepherd

Nan Shepherd's insights on:

What he values is a task that, demanding of him all he has and is, absorbs and so releases him entirely.
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What he values is a task that, demanding of him all he has and is, absorbs and so releases him entirely.
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Dried mud flats, sun-warmed, have a delicious touch, cushioned and smooth; so has long grass at morning, hot in the sun, but still cool and wet when the foot sinks into it, like food melting to a new flavour in the mouth. And a flower caught by the stalk between the toes is a small enchantment.
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Dried mud flats, sun-warmed, have a delicious touch, cushioned and smooth; so has long grass at morning, hot in the sun, but still cool and wet when the foot sinks into it, like food melting to a new flavour in the mouth. And a flower caught by the stalk between the toes is a small enchantment.
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Walking in mist tests not only individual self-discipline, but the best sort of interplay between persons.
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Walking in mist tests not only individual self-discipline, but the best sort of interplay between persons.
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It is worth ascending unexiting heights if for nothing else than to see the big ones from nearer their own level.
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It is worth ascending unexiting heights if for nothing else than to see the big ones from nearer their own level.
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Gales brandished the half-denuded boughs and whirled the leaves in madcap companies about the roads. The whole world sounded. A roaring and a rustle and a creak was everywhere; and dust and dead leaves eddied in the gateways.
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Gales brandished the half-denuded boughs and whirled the leaves in madcap companies about the roads. The whole world sounded. A roaring and a rustle and a creak was everywhere; and dust and dead leaves eddied in the gateways.
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These tracks give to winter hill walking a distinctive pleasure. One is companioned, though not in time.
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These tracks give to winter hill walking a distinctive pleasure. One is companioned, though not in time.
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In September dawns I hardly breathe – I am an image in a ball of glass. The world is suspended there, and I in it.
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In September dawns I hardly breathe – I am an image in a ball of glass. The world is suspended there, and I in it.
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Books work from the inside out. They are a private conversation happening somewhere in the soul.
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Books work from the inside out. They are a private conversation happening somewhere in the soul.
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Eye and foot acquire in rough walking a co-ordination that makes one distinctly aware of where the next step is to fall, even while watching sky and land.
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Eye and foot acquire in rough walking a co-ordination that makes one distinctly aware of where the next step is to fall, even while watching sky and land.
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Walking thus, hour after hour, the senses keyed, one walks the flesh transparent. But no metaphor, transparent, or light as air, is adequate. The body is not made negligible, but paramount. Flesh is not annihilated but fulfilled. One is not bodiless, but essential body.
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Walking thus, hour after hour, the senses keyed, one walks the flesh transparent. But no metaphor, transparent, or light as air, is adequate. The body is not made negligible, but paramount. Flesh is not annihilated but fulfilled. One is not bodiless, but essential body.
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