Paul and Paul
Thanks for your advice. I tried the shop advice route and thought I had got a good pair but they turned out to be too stiff and I can't walk more than 2-3 miles in them which is why a I looking for an alternative.
I have tried on the scarpa ranger 2 and they felt good. But having made one poor decision I am trying to get as much information as I can get before spending my money again. I don't want to get it wrong twice.
Sorry to hear about shop experience. As I mentioned in first posting, even if you use that route.... it doesn't guarantee success. Leather boots especially seem inherently just a bit chancy, however careful you are in original selection, more so than fabric boots, or walking shoes. So much so that next time I find a pair I really take to, I'm going to buy a second pair almost immediately before model is improved.
Had a look at Trail reviews of Scarpa Ranger 2.... doesn't say much. But confirms it is suitable for general valley, and hillwalking... would be fine for White Peak and South downs. In general Scarpa have a good rep... suspect any boot they make will be at least sound. (I've used Scarpa Infinity boots for last year, mostly in White Peak with no real problems... though they are not as comfortable for me as my old Brasher Supalites.)
Returning to issue of shop... one I normally use is pretty helpful with boot problems. They always say go back if any issues... different lacing methods/ different socks can make a surprising diff. And if worse comes to worst, they take boots back, giving at least some trade in value against new pair. So may be worth contacting shop you used, and certainly worth asking on this forum for views on best shops in your vicinity.