The Royal Route: Summer Tours in the Western Highlands and Islands of Scotland

£45.00

The Royal Route: Summer Tours in the Western Highlands and Islands of Scotland

Name: The Royal Route: Summer Tours in the Western Highlands and Islands of Scotland
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5397
Price: 45.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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The Royal Route: Summer Tours in the Western Highlands and Islands of Scotland, David MacBrayne, Ltd. — New Edition

Publication: Glasgow, David MacBrayne, Ltd., 1912

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 180.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The volume is wonderfully preserved, boasting an exceptionally tight and square binding that is highly unusual for a tourist guidebook of this era. The red cloth boards remain vibrantly coloured with practically no fading to the front panel, while the elaborate gilt tooling, featuring the paddle steamer Columba, remains brilliantly sharp and wholly unoxidised. Minor shelf-wear is restricted to trivial rubbing at the spine ends and corners, alongside a touch of isolated marking to the rear board. Internally, the hinges are perfectly sound, and the text block is clean, crisp, and free from the heavy foxing or handling marks typically associated with travel companions, maintaining bright and supple leaves throughout.

Catalogue Note: Issued as the "New Edition" for the 1912 summer season, this official guide was published by David MacBrayne Ltd. to promote their esteemed "Royal Route" via the famous paddle steamers Columba and Iona. Bound in the publisher's premium gilt-stamped red cloth (priced at 1s., as opposed to the cheaper 6d. paper wrapper variant), this volume was intended as a durable, high-quality souvenir for Edwardian tourists exploring the rugged coastal beauty of Scotland.

Such guides from the pre-war era were heavily utilised and frequently discarded, rendering surviving cloth-bound copies in this premium condition remarkably scarce on the open market. This specific iteration captures the golden age of Clyde steamer tourism just two years before the outbreak of the First World War forever altered British leisure travel.

Embark on a grand Edwardian voyage through the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland with this beautiful 1912 official guide to the 'Royal Route'. Published by the legendary fleet operators David MacBrayne Ltd., this vibrant volume served as the essential companion for travellers navigating the Western Highlands and Islands aboard the famous paddle steamers Columba and Iona. Featuring comprehensive route details, historic insights, and evocative descriptions, it offers a captivating window into the golden age of Scottish maritime tourism.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: David MacBrayne, Ltd.

Book Publisher: David MacBrayne, Ltd.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Travel, Exploration & Adventure

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 180

Book Publication Year: 1912

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: The Royal Route

Country/region of manufacture: Glasgow, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.