In Rural Journey, Catherine Blair outlines the origins and development of the Scottish Women’s Rural Institutes (SWRI), which she founded in 1917.

She describes the tremendous isolation suffered by rural women in Scotland in the early years of the 20th century and how SWRI strove to tackle this and to encourage and support education and social co-operation amongst Scotland’s rural women.

The book reveals Catherine Blair’s determination and enthusiasm – two qualities which helped the organisation flourish. Her accounts of early meetings and demonstrations are coloured with amusing anecdotes and she strongly underlines the importance of democracy, co-operation and inclusiveness within the movement. Catherine Blair's vision was for every single member to have her say on how the Institutes were organised and to have her talents recognised and encouraged.