Edinburgh Napier University

A new monthly magazine that curates’ routes and stories around some of Scotland’s most weird and wonderful locations could soon be coming to a shelf near you.

Alternative Atlas has been developed by Edinburgh Napier fourth year graphic design student Archie Vickerstaff.

The monthly magazine focuses on exploration and adventure and aims to boost locations and attractions from around the country that are often overlooked by day-to-day tourists.

Focusing on a theme each issue, such as abandoned architecture in the West of Scotland, the publication provides a curated route that encourages visitors to parts of the country that have often been left unexplored.

The guide can be folded up and stored in a pocket or bag – just like a traditional OS map – but its look and feel are very different.  

It’s alternative in both content and aesthetic, with its fresh and youthful design a nod to punk and zine culture.

It features places and locations that are very much off the beaten track and strives to change some of the misconceptions around some of Scotland’s forgotten towns, villages and locations.

For creator Archie, he hopes the guides could be the impetus for creating a new community of people who enjoy unconventional travel alongside spreading the benefits of tourism across all parts of the country.

He said: “I’ve always been a fan of unusual travel and when I’ve been abroad, I’ve always sought out the weird and unusual places that the majority of people tend to stay away from.

“I was on the bus to Dundee one day to visit my brother and there were loads of stops with not many people getting on and off. We were passing through all these little towns and villages and I was like these places must have interesting things to see and do and learn about and that’s really where the idea for Alternative Atlas stemmed from.

“Alongside shining a spotlight on some unusual destinations across the country, I also wanted to create something that was different to the usual Lonely Planet place guides you see in loads of places. I wanted to try and make something that was original and bold – and something that stood out. I’ve always thought that good design is something that shouts its message first and foremost and I hope that comes across in Alternative Atlas. It’s sort of a punk alternative to the norm.

“Although I’ve only created this for my final year project, it is something that I’d like to continue developing now that my time at Edinburgh Napier is coming to a close. I think a publication like this has the potential to change the way people see certain places in Scotland, boosting interest in places that would otherwise be overlooked and flipping unfair negative reputations that some places have.”

Archie’s project, along with others from Edinburgh Napier’s School of Arts and Creative Industries can be viewed at its Degree Show which runs at Merchiston campus from 24-30 May.