On This Holy Island

Smith is one of the best and most thoughtful travel writers working today. I loved this sensitive, astute, and delicately written account of his journeys to these most sacred places— standing stones and holy islands, crypt-like caves and sports stadia—disparate sites united by their profound effects upon the human psyche. Pilgrimage speaks to something soft and raw and yearning inside all of us, something powerful that goes so often unspoken. Smith bottles it on the page. -- Cal Flyn, author of 'Islands of Abandonment: Nature Rebounding in the Post-Human Landscape' A wonderfully original and engaging exploration of pilgrimage in modern Britain – with all its diversity of motivation and eccentricity of character. Oliver Smith trips lightly along pilgrims’ ways both old and new, with a sharp eye and an open mind. -- Tim Hannigan, author of 'The Granite Kingdom: A Cornish Journey' Warm and wise - a thoughtful, hands-on exploration of Britain's most magical places, and the people who come to pay homage. -- Tim Moore, author of 'Vuelta Skelter: Riding the Remarkable 1941 Tour of Spain'