Jamie Lafferty brings an adventurer’s spirit and obsessive curiosity to travel and nature writing, with work has appeared in New York Times, BBC Travel, Financial Times, and National Geographic Traveller. The Scotsman combines meticulous observation with compelling storytelling that explores the intersection of wildlife, travel, and environmental urgency.
His first book, An Inconvenience of Penguins: Epic voyages in pursuit of the world’s most beloved bird, was released in September and chronicles an epic, globe-spanning quest to encounter penguins in their natural habitats.
What drew you to chase every penguin species?
I was already quite far down the list before I knew I wanted to try and pursue the whole lot – I’d already seen 12 of the 18. When there was a chance to write a book, I decided to reset my counter to zero and start again. It was a huge undertaking, but the closer I got to the end, the more it felt like I had to finish.
Most challenging penguin to track down?
There are a couple, but overall I’d say the Northern Rockhoppers which nest almost exclusively on Tristan Da Cunha. It’s a tiny archipelago in the middle of the South Atlantic, almost exactly halfway between Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town. Few ships go there, and almost half of those that do can’t land in the often rough conditions.
Favourite wildlife encounter beyond penguins?
Hard to choose. I swam with Great White sharks before they started disappearing off Gansbaai, South Africa. I also saw a cheetah kill a Thompson’s gazelle in Tanzania which was thrilling. Also in Africa, a baby gorilla nearly stole my notebook. That would have been awkward as I’d have tried to get it back and the mother was looking at me very closely.
Most underrated wildlife destination?
Guyana in South America. It’s perhaps not so much underrated as unknown – giant otters, goliath tarantulas, sloths, manatees, harpy eagles… The list goes on and on.
Most memorable expedition mishap?
Coincidentally, also in Guyana. We were crossing a river a few hundred metres from a 160m-high waterfall when a tornadic waterspout appeared and tried to drag us over the edge. We had to abandon ship and lost our canoe over the falls. My camera gear got destroyed, but it could have been much worse. The locals blamed it on an evil river spirit called Ratto.
Toughest environment you’ve reported from?
I don’t really have the sand to be a foreign correspondent which is why I’ve ended up as a much wimpier travel writer. That said, I once did a car rally that started in Hungary and finished at the Tajikistan-China border, travelling through a lot of former Soviet nations as well as Chechnya and Dagestan. There were a lot of guns, bribes etc on that trip.
Most impactful conservation story you’ve covered?
I’m hoping some of the stories in the book will cover this. One of the most impressive organisations was the Punta San Juan Program in Peru – some of their conservation work with Humboldt penguins is remarkable. Same goes for the Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust in New Zealand.
What other places guided your travel writing career?
Strangely, Dubai. It’s a city I don’t have much love for, but my first full-time travel writing job was there for an in-flight magazine, so I got out to see a lot of the world from there. It’s also a place to meet people from all over the planet. Money is universally appealing, I suppose.
How did Glasgow shape your travel perspective?
There’s a great line from Billy Connolly’s song I Wish I Was In Glasgow: ‘Glasgow gave me more than it ever took away’. I think that’s very insightful – it’s a fun town but it can leave its mark. Growing up there, it helped teach me a lot about how to conduct myself on the road and avoid trouble.
Favourite restaurants in Glasgow?
My favourite restaurant is The Gannet, but it’s about to close and be reborn as something else in 2026. Elsewhere, I’m a fan of Halloumi, Eighty Eight, and Ka Pao.
Local hidden gem?
There’s a tiny sandwich shop in Calton called Samantha’s. They make amazing breakfast rolls for improbably low prices.
Best local bars?
The Laurieston is the best in Glasgow. Elsewhere, the pub in the West Brewery is very good. The Pot Still has become overwhelmingly popular in the last few years, but it’s still great if you can get a seat.
Your top museums in the world and why?
It’s got a rubbish name, but The House of Terror in Budapest is incredibly moving as it covers Hungary being dragged between the rule of Nazis and Soviets. Kelvingrove in Glasgow is a wonder inside and out, especially as it’s free to enter. And visiting the Natural History Museum in London probably changed my life – I still visit every year to see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.
Favourite hotel, anywhere in the world?
I worked for an in-flight magazine for a few years and got to visit some of the ‘best’ hotels in the world as part of that. A lot of them were actually really forgettable. One that always sticks with me though is Gora Kadan in Hakone, Japan.
Most inspiring city for writing you’ve visited recently?
I’m writing this from Sydney, so: Sydney.
Where do you go for pure escapism?
Madrid. One of my best friends lives there and I don’t have to think about what we’re doing or where we’re going when I visit – he does all the work.
Where do you go for stimulation and creative energy?
I’m on the road so much that going home and seeing friends does this for me.
Where do you go when you need a creative reset?
The gym can help. Or a long walk. In Glasgow I visit The Mitchell Library to work – there’s something about the studious environment in there that brings out some of my best work.
What’s always in your carry-on?
I’m diabetic, so insulin is the really boring answer. Otherwise my laptop so I can work on the road.
Travel splurge you’ll never regret?
Being a travel writer I tend not to have to spend too much on the road. That’s the idea anyway. A splurge for me would instead be a camera lens. I bought a semi-fisheye the last time I was in Japan and I’ve not regretted that at all.
Favourite travel books?
I don’t really read much travel writing. I know that probably sounds a little upside down. That said, I love some of the classics: Patrick Leigh Fermor’s Mani; Paul Theroux’s Great Railway Bazaar. The best book I read in researching my own was either The Worst Journey In The World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard, or A Logbook For Grace by Robert Cushman Murphy. And Eliot Stein’s Custodians of Wonder blew me away. I’m hoping to be as forensic and engaging as him someday.
Dream vacation, not yet fulfilled?
I don’t really have one, but since hearing about Lord Howe Island and its extraordinary wildlife, I’d really like to get there. Preferably to write about it though as it’s eye-wateringly expensive. For pure holiday, I think I’d probably enjoy Raja Ampat, Indonesia.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on a book about wildcats around the world. I can’t take on all of them though – there were just 18 penguin species and that almost killed me. There are 40 cats.
