Children of the Black House is a fascinating glimpse into life on the Hebridean island of Lewis from the middle of the nineteenth century up to the 1970s. Calum Ferguson employs an unusual narrative technique, drawing on his mother Mairead's reminiscences, and presenting her experiences and conversation in the fisrt person. This book describes the treadmill of seasonal work on the croft, the all too frequent loss of bread-winners through wars and drowning at sea, but also the richness of the culture: the storytelling, music-making, dancing, interdependence of families and the sincere religious faith that sustained the islanders throuhg their trials. Gaining in confidence, many families sought to improve their lot through higher education, and the number of university graduates from the poorest communities became a source of pride for all. This remarkable memior is a treasury of personal recollections, traditional tales, poetry and songs, and contains a wealth of detail about everyday life on Lewis through those years. It is illustrated throughout with photographs of Mairead, her family and friends and of the crofting way of life.
To the warm, tight-knit community, the little island in the peaceful Hebrides seemed remote from the horrors of war.
These are the islands of emptiness, and there's nowhere like them on earth. · Includes Essentials section with practical information on getting from island to island. · Get off the beaten track and discover Skye's charming but little ...
Packed with up-to-date information on Scotland's most famous island Skye and the remote Outer Hebrides, this Footprintfocus guide will enable you to see some of Britain's most breathtaking scenery in person.
Mary Stewart's wonderful novel of suspense and intrigue, reissued in beautiful new series style.
This is a land where Gaelic is increasingly spoken and ancient monuments abound, where stunning seabird colonies and birds of prey can be watched, and where the grassy coastal zones known as the machair are transformed into glorious carpets ...
This monograph examines the stereotyping of Scotland and the Scots and the way in which this was reflected in late medieval and early modern travellers' accounts.
The author recounts her travels in the Hebrides during the 1940s, including some of their most remote areas.
The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides With Samuel Johnson, LL.D.
When Ruth researches the history of the house, she uncovers the heart-breaking story of Reverend Alexander Ferguson, an amateur evolutionary scientist.
This extended portrait captures the essence and complexity of a singular place. This is a true masterpiece of photography.