XPT Kidnapped: The Story So Far

Follow Tim's progress on the Kidmapped blog and on Twitter.

To celebrate XPT’s 10th birthday, we want as many people as possible to join us as we follow a route across Scotland from the south western tip of Mull to the outskirts of Edinburgh, as charted in Chapters 14–27 of ‘Kidnapped’.

From 30th June to 25th August 2009, we aim to meet people from all walks of life who have something to say, or something to play or perform, that is relevant to the story of ‘Kidnapped’ and to the land we are travelling through.

How to Become a Kidnapper

running away—losing your family—choosing sides—growing up—rebellion—being Scottish—being English—choosing your friends—living rough—getting home

These are just some of the things that Robert Louis Stevenson writes about in his classic novel ‘Kidnapped’. And these are just some of the things we’d like YOU to talk to us about as we take ‘Kidnapped’ for a walk, out into the landscape it describes.

It could be just one word, or a whole chapter that inspires you, or perhaps there’s a big issue that arises out of the story that you really want us all to address. Whatever it is, we want to say it, play it, perform it or *re-play* it somewhere on the Kidnapped Trail.

Join the Trail

You can contact us here and let us know exactly where on the route you’d like to join us—or, if you can’t make it up to Scotland, you can submit your contributions via the web site and we’ll read them out—or even perform them for you.

Use the Map and Itinerary sections to see where we’re going. You could join us for one day, or one section, or for the whole trail. It’s up to you.

We’ve also put the relevant sections of the Book online so you can read it if you haven’t already and comment on the text in any way you like. And then get in touch about where and when you’d like to put yourself in our way.

Follow Us All the Way

Whichever way you choose to join in, we promise to document the journey every step of the way, posting daily updates onto our online map.

We promise to highlight all the stories and pictures you send us, and discuss all the issues you raise, even as we tramp along the Kidnapped Trail from day to day, marking out the flight of David Balfour and Alan Breck across the Highlands.

And when we finally arrive in Edinburgh on 25th August, we’ll have a party and then start work on a new version of the book itself—a re-printing of Stevenson’s story with a whole load of new photos, texts, performances and papers, generated by all of us as we moved through the landscape.

an updating of a classic book—a record of our extraordinary adventure—your personal record of a unique outdoor and online gathering—and a party!