The principal interest of the collection lies in the extensive series of 'Log books', 1961-2008, recording Hamish Brown's endeavours in many fields including his climbing activities and travel, notably to Morocco.

Hamish Brown is best known for his climbing and walking expeditions in the Highlands. He has completed multiple rounds of the Munros including tackling all the peaks in one trip using only ferries and a bicycle as transport. Between 1960 and 1972 he was in charge of outdoor activities at Braehead School, Buckhaven, Fife, where his innovative work introduced the pupils to walking in the Highlands as well as other outdoor activities. Hamish Brown has written extensively about his walking and climbing exploits mainly in Scotland but also in Europe, North Africa and the Himalayas. He has also written and illustrated guides on various parts of Scotland. Other published works include collections of articles, essays and poems and, most recently, a book on Scottish gravestones.