Scottish Sunday

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On top of the world

She’s been attacked by wolves in Yugoslavia, robbed in Siberia, cycled across Afghanistan and taken a toddler around Peru by donkey. And still at 75, Irish travel writer Dervla Murphy has plans to see the world. She talks to the Scottish Sunday about her adventures, her writing and why coming home is precious.

The Arrangements

The arrangements are sufficiently vague. Meeting Dervla Murphy outside the World's End bookshop in London on a crisp January afternoon feels like a proper traveler's meeting. Murphy arrives from Ireland and the meeting takes place at a nice second-hand bookshop at the end of a street. After browsing for books on Cuba, we repair to the pub. Murphy cannot stand hotels and prefers the occasional drink.

Traveling Methods

Murphy has a unique approach to travel, preferring discomfort over luxury. She has cycled, walked, and trekked with pack animals on most of her trips. Even at 75, she continues to use a bike as her primary mode of transportation. She is also a firm advocate of train travel and dislikes motor transport.

The Changing World

Murphy has observed how the world has become a less safe place over the years. Political changes and conflicts have made many countries difficult to travel in. Despite this, she hopes her granddaughters will be able to travel in the same way she did. Murphy's openness towards strangers has been a rarity in our paranoid world, and she has tried to pass this attitude on to her daughter.

Writing and Opinions

Murphy's books have become just as much about political opinion as they are about travel. She reserves her criticism for companies and organizations she feels are damaging the planet. Murphy believes it is impossible not to be political after seeing so many parts of the world. Her anger has grown since the flourishing of her political sensibility in the early 80s.

A Personal Life

Murphy became pregnant at 36 but continued to travel during her pregnancy. She has never married and always knew she wanted to be a writer. Her home in Lismore, County Waterford, is her retreat when she is not traveling. Murphy believes she has seen firsthand the impact of climate change, which has made her question the whole notion of travel.

Hotels and Travel

While some travelers may prefer the comforts of hotels, Murphy detests them. She finds them impersonal and prefers more traditional and elegant accommodations. Murphy believes that hotels have become overly luxurious and lack the charm of older establishments. She also dislikes the environmental impact of flying and encourages people to travel by land whenever possible.

Conclusion

Dervla Murphy's unique approach to travel has brought her on many incredible adventures. At the age of 75, she continues to explore the world, preferring slower and more sustainable ways of transportation. While she acknowledges the changing world and the challenges it presents, Murphy remains determined to see as much of the world as she can. Her writing reflects her political opinions and her desire to bring attention to issues she feels strongly about. With her granddaughters in mind, she hopes that future generations will be able to experience the wonders of travel just as she has.

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