When Bonnie Prince Charlie landed on Eriskay in 1745 it focused the attention of the world on the Hebrides for the first time, and the islands' isolation and way of life were irrevocably shattered.
This book tells of the exploration and exploitation of these remote islands, using records and journals of such visitors as the scientist Joseph Banks, who revealed the wonders of Fingals's Cave to an astounded public, and Johnson and Boswell, who nearly drowned off Ardnamurchan, and whose writings encouraged many others, including Sir Walter Scott and Queen Victoria, to discover the Hebrides for themselves.
The people of the islands are also quoted, their poems and songs describing the traumatic changes endured by the Gaelic-speaking communities, and detailing a way of life now lost to us.
This is a perceptive illustrated history of one of the most remote and beautiful regions of Britain. The author's lively and lucid prose provides an enthralling historical context for the accounts from centuries ago. The text is perfectly complemented by the charming and evocative illustrations, meticulously researched by the author using contemporary sources.
Contents:
Preface
1. Ancient Customs: The Hebrides Before the '45
2. Over the Sea to Skye
3. The Birlinn of Clanranald
4. The Charting of the Seas
5. A Voyage to the Hebrides
6. That Cathedral of the Seas
7. A-roving in the Hebrides
8. The Sailing of the White-sailed Ships
9. The Silver Darlings
10. The Wandering Shepherd
11. The Solitary Reaper
12. The Beauties of Scotland
13. Caledonia Stern and Wild
14. The Devils Engine
15. The Cruise of the 'Betsey'
16. A Bahn Righ: The Fair Queen
17. The Haven of Our Peace
References and Bibliography
Illustration Acknowledgements
Index
