I Don’t Do Mountains is an adventure story for children that explores the fears and beauty of getting out into nature. We spoke to author Barbara Henderson about her relationship to the book and The Great Outdoors.

I Don’t Do Mountains
By Barbara Henderson
Published by Scottish Mountaineering Press

Hello Barbara; it’s brilliant to see you publish another fantastic children’s book. What can you tell us about I Don’t Do Mountains?

It was so much fun to write. Most of my children’s book so far are historical fiction, so it was very freeing to write a contemporary adventure set in the great outdoors! It’s an adventure story about a hillwalking expedition which goes spectacularly wrong: the adult leader goes missing and the four youngsters must form unlikely alliances to navigate the dangers and challenge they face. Ultimately, though, I hope that the book inspires curiosity and enthusiasm rather than fear. The Scottish hills are an unfamiliar environment for many young people, so it was a great opportunity to feed in some information about what to do in an emergency, for example, or feature some of the region’s spectacular wildlife.

How much time do you spend in nature and why is it important to you as a writer?

Haha, I’m a dog owner, so I am outside four times a day. I live in Inverness, so some of the most spectacular landscape in Scotland is right on my doorstep. It’s one of the best ways to clear your head and get a bit of distance from day-to-day life. Nothing gives you perspective like a great view, right? And that doesn’t mean you have to head into the loneliest of places for days at a time. I am not particularly lithe or muscly outdoor material, but the hills are for everyone! Whatever your fitness or experience, there is a walk for you. One of my current favourites is a short circular wander into the hills above Loch Ness called the Change House Walk.

This book is set in The Cairngorms in particular. What do you love about them?

There is so much to love about the Cairngorms. As an avid birdwatcher, I particularly appreciate the wildlife there, but also the crystal-clear waters, often so still that they double the mountains in gorgeous reflections. The snow-topped distant peaks which have inspired countless myths and legends, too. My favourite time is just before sunrise when the undulating horizon takes on otherworldly pinks and orange hues – ‘the hidden fires’ as Nan Shepherd called them. If you want to get a feel for the place, you can do no better than Merry Glover’s book of the same title.

Your books are always packed with adventure. How do you keep coming up with troublesome scenarios to put your characters through?

I ask the ‘what if’ question, all of the time. Reading is a bit like a rollercoaster – if we are absorbed in the story, we have the illusion of danger, while being safe all the time. But even those feelings build resilience, and kids like the stakes to be high – they can handle the tension. I took to heart the advice from children’s author Helen Peters: ‘You can NEVER have enough jeopardy’.

Your main character Kenzie is a bit reluctant to leave her home comforts at first. How would you encourage young people to get outdoors and explore?

Kenzie doesn’t do mountains. She doesn’t do strangers either. In fact, Kenzie would happily stick to the library and other places where she feels safe – and who would blame her? I think people are reluctant to head out because they worry that they will meet challenges, but these environments are nothing to be scared of! Begin small – a gentle circular walk, or a smaller hill with a good path. There are loads of options on https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/, and you can search by region, length and difficulty. I myself am far from a hardcore outdoorsy person – we just need to explore, give things a try and find out what works for us! As adults, I think we have a responsibility to facilitate this for young people too. If they know and appreciate the wild places, they are more likely to protect them.

What are you looking forward to reading in 2025?

I have already begun my 2025 in books with Susan Brownrigg’s historical children’s adventure Wrong Tracks, about the famous Rainhill Trials which was great. I also can’t wait for Ally Sherrick’s Rebel Heart – I have loved every single one of her adventures for children. In terms of Scottish books, I am absolutely buzzing for Michelle Sloan’s Mrs Burke and Mrs Hare. It’s not out till the summer, but I adored The Edinburgh Skating Club so much that I’m desperate to delve in!

I Don’t Do Mountains by Barbara Henderson is published by Scottish Mountaineering Press, priced £7.99.