For centuries, the majesty and mystery of the Great Smoky Mountains have lured mankind. The Cherokee were among the first to build thriving communities here, and backcountry frontiersmen were next to put down roots. In time, visitors arrived, eager to take in the cool mountain air, and returned home with stories of "hillbillies." Then came those who used the mountains for their own advantages, such as lumber barons, armed with steam shovels and skidders. Eventually, civic boosters from western North Carolina and east Tennessee took note and began advocating for the protection of the Great Smoky Mountains. Before a national park could be established, though, there were competing interests to be sorted and a consideration of the lives affected.

Located in the heart of Washington State, Kittitas County is a diverse and beautiful landscape, from the mountains, lakes, and forests in the west to the semiarid shrub-steppe with agricultural lands leading to the Columbia River in the east. When the settlers of Ellensburg sought to break away from Yakima County and establish their own county, they wanted to gain autonomy as well as increase the chances of the county seat, Ellensburg, becoming the state capital. The Washington Territorial Legislature established Kittitas County in 1883, and just a few years later, the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railroad quickly aided in the settling of the county. Soon, coal was discovered in northwestern Kittitas County, which provided a boom in settlement and the expansion of the upper county population. Today, Interstate 90, which follows an old Native American trail, brings people from the Seattle area into Kittitas County, much as the trial has for millennia.

This guide gives an overview of the non-industrial Clyde, an area of outstanding natural beauty and exceptional wildlife. Nine islands are found in this archipelago, of which Arran, Bute and Great Cumbrae are readily accessible to the public. Here a historical background is followed by a brief description of the present-day villages. The most interesting fauna and flora are described in some detail, as are archaeological sites and numerous other places of interest. Finally, a variety of walks, both short and lengthy are outlined. Potential tourists, including hillwalkers, cyclists, birdwatchers and all those interested in Scottish natural history will find a wealth of information to plan and enjoy a visit to these fascinating islands.