Hugh Taylor - Profile

Hugh Taylor, Moira McCrossan

Once upon a time I was an accountant, a very bored accountant, who lived for weekends and holidays. To relieve the tedium I started writing. Now I'm an award winning travel writer, photographer and broadcaster.

I've presented programs on BBC Radio, written and produced others including a documentary about the Pinkerton Detective Agency and a series on traditional music and travel.

I write for newspapers and magazines in the UK and USA and have written extensively for internet sites like worldtravelguideand homeandabroad where I am the City Expert for Cancun, Cozumel and the Riviera Maya. I am also Travel Editor of Later Life a UK based web site aimed at the over 50's market.

I also teach people how to make a living as a travel writer. I'm tutor for the National Union of Journalists Travel Writing Course and run occasional courses from my home.

But most of my time is spent writing, revising and photographing guide books.

At the last count I'd written or contributed to over forty guidebooks, mostly with my wife, Moira McCrossan. We've written guides to Scotland,Turkey, Jordan, Cancun and the Yucatan and worked for most of the top names in guidebook publishing including Dorling Kindersley, AA and AAA Publishing, Insight, New Holland, Thomas Cook and Jarrold.

Awards

I was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, Scotland in 1993, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 1996 and in 2000 the Jordanian Minister of Tourism presented me with a Special Award for my services to Jordanian Tourism.

When I'm not traveling I'm usually writing at home in one of Scotland's most picturesque villages. It's an artists and writers colony. Six other travel and outdoor writers live here and we spend far too much time gossiping and getting fat on cakes in the local tea room.

Although I travel the world I have a special interest in the Middle East. I'm fascinated by its history, culture, religions, music, food and of course the people. They are the most generous, warmest, friendliest, people on the planet, other than the Scots of course.

I go where my curiosity leads me. It could be the ruins of an ancient city high in the hills of Turkey, a sun soaked beach crowded with package holidaymakers in Jordan, diving in the Red Sea or camel trekking, with the Bedouin, deep in the desert. Check out my website