This is not a guide to the islands of Scotland.
This is not a tour to be followed, nor is it travel advice.
This is a richly anecdotal and personal exploration.
Richard Clubley shares the sense of freedom he finds in the Scottish islands as he discovers their individual character, beauty and diversity.
He meets locals and learns a few realities of island life. He almost perished on Ailsa Craig, before finding fresh water dripping from the roof of a cave, but spends two idyllic nights alone on Mingulay, with a fabulous coal fire in a bothy. His passion for Scottish islands shines through every chapter.
Curl up by the fire, pull the blanket close and sip on your dram.
You're about to escape to the islands.
Prepare for addiction.
A book for islomanes to savour in sips. Night caps are suggested; that way the addiction can be controlled. MAIRI HEDDERWICK
Scotland's Islands : A Special Kind of Freedom
Description
Author Description
RICHARD CLUBLEY lives in Sheffield which is not a good place to stay if you love Scottish islands. Even so, he makes the journey north several times a year and it is always a thrill. He has visited 65 of the islands and never tires of them. They are all different, beautiful and endlessly fascinating. He has led school parties to Staffa; camped on Mingulay and argued with the Laird on Eigg. He has seen rare birds on Fair Isle, otters on Mull and kayaked to Pladda. Richard has visited Britain's smallest secondary school on Out Skerries, found archaeological treasure in Orkney and discussed wind turbines in Shetland. He almost perished on Ailsa Craig and was blown off his feet on Tiree. He met a Bronze Age queen on Bute and enjoyed Lady Monica's bed in Rum (a story not included here). He hasn't made it to Shiant - yet - but saw pink dolphins off St Kilda.