Erratic tales from the naked rambler

By TERRY KIRBY and KARL CONNOR in Ullswater

When it comes to naked rambling, it would seem sensible to follow Wordsworth's timeless advice and carry out the pursuit "lonely as a cloud".

Steve Gough, however, has chosen to ignore the poet and left in his wake dozens of horrified walkers during his "boots-only" hike from Land's End to John O'Groats.

Arrested no fewer than eight times so far he has spent more than a week behind bars at police stations up and down the country. In most cases, charges have been dropped. His mission: to persuade the entire nation of the joys of naked rambling and to inspire others to "get naked" when they see him.

Until now the identity of the naked rambler has remained, unlike Gough, firmly under wraps. But yesterday he broke his silence to talk to the Independent. Gough, 44, broke off from his naked odyssey to explain.

"I can't understand why I am being arrested because all I am doing is showing my body in its original form, the way God made me. I would rather not be arrested ... because it slows me down and I am hoping to get to John O'Groats before September and it might be a bit chilly then."

He added: "I have helped bring my children up and I am disturbed at the way that society enforced its views upon them and causes them to be ashamed of their form and of the body they have been given.

"It isn't something we should be ashamed of, we should be proud." During his journey so far he has walked with many other ramblers.

"Most people support me, they like what I am doing, and some even share my views. Those who don't share the views accept them and admire me for expressing them."

His progress through the country has been somewhat erratic - on several occasions, police have returned him to his home in Eastleigh, Hampshire, so that he has had to hitchhike back to his furthest point.

During a stretch in the Yorkshire Dales national park he was shouted at by a farmer who told him to "put on his trousers". Others said they felt disconcerted when confronted by "middle-aged ramblers with their bits swinging in the breeze".

He took the precaution yesterday of calling the North Yorkshire police to tell them that he was the man responsible for the naked rambler reports. Police responded by saying that since no complaint had been received, they considered the matter closed.

Gough, who has a 7-year-old daughter, Kiana, and 5-year-old son, Yarin, admits his mother, Nora, who is in her seventies, is a little embarrassed by his antics. When he has finished, Gough intends to look for work as a truck driver, although he won't be tempted to strip in the cab.

Back in Ullswater, the media having been dealt with, Gough strode off, the afternoon sunshine burnishing his body, naked but for rucksack, walking boots, socks and a bush hat, seemingly unabashed by the surprised looks of unsuspecting tourists. It was surely never like this in Wordsworth's days.

- INDEPENDENT