SAT - Allover - Chris Morphet
Friday 6 December 2024
 6.1°C   SW Light Breeze
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts

Arts / New book to explore brothers’ 2,000km cycle adventure to Unst

A BOOK detailing two brothers’ 2,000-kilometre journey on bicycles through the UK to Unst is in the works.

Travel writers Simon and Chris Raven – known for books such as Driving the Trans-Siberian – reached Shetland earlier this summer after their long cycle north through the UK.

They plan to release a book about their adventures in 2026.

The idea began in a “small, cluttered shed” at the back of their family home in Daventry, near Northampton in England.

The Raven Brothers after arriving in Shetland.

The brothers stumbled upon two forgotten mountain bikes, and instead of throwing them away they decided to restore them and embark on their journey to the northernmost point of the UK.

With the bikes finally road-ready, the brothers set off from the street where they had learnt to ride a bicycle as kids.

The journey would take them thousands of kilometres across diverse landscapes in England and Scotland.

The brothers admit the trek north was not without its challenges – both physical and mental.

However “during these difficult times that their brotherly bond truly shone”, a blurb for the book said.

After a month on the road, they finally reached Scrabster, where they boarded the ferry to Orkney and then on to Shetland.

After reaching Unst, the brothers’ trip came to an end – but their bicycles’ “new lives on the Shetland Islands had only just begun”, they said.

“A kind local offered to take the mountain bikes and arranged for them to be upcycled by what is surely the most northerly charity shop in Britain,” the release about the book said.

“For the brothers, it was a huge pleasure in knowing they could give something back to the local community.”

It continued: “For the Raven Brothers, the journey was about much more than reaching Unst. It was a chance to reconnect with each other and with the simplicity of life that cycling brings.

“They learned to appreciate the small things—the warmth of the sun after a rainstorm, the kindness of strangers, and the beauty of nature and the world around them.”

The Raven Brothers’ new travel book will be published by Samosir Books in November 2026.

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 
Categories
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please consider paying for membership and get the following features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.