Books about Harris, Lewis, St Kilda in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland

Bill Lawson Publications
The Old Schoolhouse
Taobh Tuath (Northton) - Isle of Harris HS3 3JA - Scotland
Telephone: 01859 520 488 / Fax: 01859 520 488
E-mail: lawsonbil@aol.com

Bill Lawson Publications
Books about the Hebrides
Uists and Barra
Skye
Mull - Iona - Staffa - Small Isles - Rum - Eigg
Orkney - Shetland

Books about Harris - Lewis - Taransay - St Kilda
The following books by various authors and publishers
can be ordered online via Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

Lewis and Harris
Lovely colour guide published in 1999 with over 100 pages of photos - including a picture of one of my relatives. Written by Francis Thompson, covering the local heritage and culture of the islands, nature, the landscape, place names, history, crofting, Gaelic, places to visit, etc. Even if you don't get chance to buy it before you go, you will certainly want a copy for a souvenir when you have visited.
Available from Amazon.co.uk

Tales and Traditions of the Lews
Much in demand for many years, this is the first new edition of Tales and Traditions of the Lews since 1967. A marvellous pot pourri of local history, myth and legend, it brings alive the island of Lewis in a way few other histories can.
With over 60 short essays on people, places and tradition, it reveals the full range of the author's erudition from prehistoric times to the present day, and is informed by his love and deep knowledge of the island from which he came.
To read through or simply to dip into Tales and Traditions is a fascinating experience for anyone who loves Scotland and her islands.
Paperback. 292 pages. Published May 2000.
Available from Amazon.co.uk

Lewis: the Story of an Island
Publisher's description: 'This is a reprint of an earlier book which the author, Christine MacDonald, has updated to take account of recent archaeological finds and new knowledge about the Isle of Lewis. It is a good popular history of Lewis which is suitable for those who wish to gain a quick all round knowledge of the Island's history.
Containing a good bibliography it will whet the reader's appetite to go on to further research. A foreword by folklorist and Scottish author Margaret Bennett enhances the book.
Available from Amazon.co.uk

Metagama: a Journey from Lewis to the New World
In 1923 the first of 3 Canadian liners arrived in Stornoway. Their mission, with the connivance of government officials, was to remove landless islanders, many of which were war veterans, rather than give them a plot of land. On an island still reeling from the Iolaire disaster, the removal of so many young families was to be yet another blow.
Even at the time the importance of the occasion was realised. A huge crowd had gathered on the quayside to say farewell amidst Gaelic psalm singing and the strains of a pipe band. Many of those who went were never to see their families again.
For the island of Lewis the departure of the Metagama was hugely symbolic. As author Jim Wilkie shows it was also the continuation of clearance by another means and a method of diverting attention from government failure and neglect.
206 pages. Published in June 2001.
Available from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

Around the Peat-Fire
The year was 1912 the date the twenty-ninth of May. In a little geo at the village of Shawbost on the Atlantic coast of Lewis, a group of crofter women were gathering seaweed. The inward surge of an ataireachd bhuan (‘the everlasting swell’) swirled up to their feet. Beneath the outward heave of the receding water the shingle grumbled.
It was on this day that Calum Smith was born, and his mother was one of those who was working on the beach on that day. While his childhood was a happy one, it was one of very considerable poverty, and his story gives a unique insight into life on Lewis through the First World War and to the opening of the Second.
Full of humour and life, his memoirs are a celebration of a still largely Gaelic culture and society in the throes of great change. His boyhood and education took place in and around Stornoway (at Shawbost and Laxdale) and the book is peopled with characters and families well known in Lewis to this day. It is also the story of an island and community at a time now at the edge of memory and about which little is written
176 pages. Published in November 2001.
Available from Amazon.co.uk or the publishers Birlinn

Finlay J. Macdonald Omnibus
An omnibus edition of Finlay J. Macdonald's nostalgic and often comic accounts of growing up on the Hebridean island of Harris between the wars. They were first published individually in the 1980s as 'Crowdie and Cream', 'Crotal and White' and 'The Corncrake and the Lysander'.
As a child I remember hearing these stories narrated on the radio and would highly recommend them for a flavour of the islands.
Paperback. 544 pages.
Order your copy from Amazon.co.uk

Castaway
This is the full, in-depth story of the 32 'Castaways' who set off to build a self-sustaining community on the isle of Taransay. After 12 months on the island only 25 remained. They were isolated from their previous lives, their families and (some of) the trappings of the modern world. Their progress was watched by audiences of 8 million on BBC TV.
Author Mark McCrum visited the island frequently and became a confidante to many of the castaways throughout their joys and sorrows, toil and trouble.
This 575-page paperback edition published in April 2001 includes 2 whole new chapters - covering their departure from the island, their plans for the future, the media reaction to their return, Trish and Trevor's baby, Tammy's new-found happiness and Ben's romances.
Order your copy from Amazon.co.uk

The Life and Death of St Kilda:
The Moving Story of a Vanished Island Community
This 297 page paperback by Tom Steel is one of the most popular books about St Kilda and is a highly recommended read.
Numerous old photos.
Available from Amazon.com and Amazon UK

St Kilda: Island on the Edge of the World
Charles Maclean A part of Britain but a world apart, St Kilda society existed almost completely isolated from the mainstream of civilization for more than 1000 years. Increased contact with the mainland during the 19th century brought about the downfall of what many once regarded as an ideal society. Missionaries and tourists brought money, disease and despotism. In 1930 the islanders, who could no longer support themselves, were finally evacuated at their own request.
The island's story was chiefly recorded by outsiders. This book examines the island and the St Kildan society as a microcosm of a process which is consistently taking place, often on a much larger scale, all over the world. St Kilda remains a symbol of the ability of man to survive in the most hostile of environments and it remains a fascination unique among islands. This new edition of Charles Maclean's study of the island contains an introduction highlighting recent findings about St Kilda.
Paperback. 200 pages.
Available from Amazon.com and Amazon UK

A House by the Shore & Scarista Style
Two books in one. The first book documents Alison and Andrew Johnson's retreat from urban life to the beautiful rugged landscape of the island of Harris. They make their home in the old manse at Scarista, turning a rat-infested near-ruin into a major hotel boasting the Prince of Wales among its guests and consistent listing in good food guides.
The second book is a collection of Alison's recipes, with asides on the Good Food scene. Containing an assortment of vegetarian, fish and meat dishes, this is a guide for transforming natural ingredients into award-winning cuisine.'
Scarista House is now in new hands (see accommodation section above).
Order your copy from Amazon.co.uk

Rosemary: Castle Cook
Rosemary Shrager used to run a summer cookery school at Amhuinnsuidhe Castle on Harris. This delightful book is as much a tribute to this magically beautiful place as a record of her cooking and recipes with local produce. Accompanies the Channel 5 TV series in the UK.
Available from Amazon UK

Bill Lawson Publications
Books about the Hebrides
Uists and Barra
Skye
Mull - Iona - Staffa - Small Isles - Rum - Eigg
Orkney - Shetland

If you can't find what you're looking for here
you can search the Amazon US and UK complete catalogues using the boxes below.
HINT: Amazon.co.uk has a larger selection of British books.

	Lewis and Harris Lovely colour guide published in 1999 with over 100 pages of photos - including a picture of one of my relatives. Written by Francis Thompson, covering the local heritage and culture of the islands, nature, the landscape, place names, history, crofting, Gaelic, places to visit, etc. Even if you don't get chance to buy it before you go, you will certainly want a copy for a souvenir when you have visited. Available from Amazon.co.uk
	Tales and Traditions of the Lews Much in demand for many years, this is the first new edition of Tales and Traditions of the Lews since 1967. A marvellous pot pourri of local history, myth and legend, it brings alive the island of Lewis in a way few other histories can. With over 60 short essays on people, places and tradition, it reveals the full range of the author's erudition from prehistoric times to the present day, and is informed by his love and deep knowledge of the island from which he came. To read through or simply to dip into Tales and Traditions is a fascinating experience for anyone who loves Scotland and her islands. Paperback. 292 pages. Published May 2000. Available from Amazon.co.uk
	Lewis: the Story of an Island Publisher's description: 'This is a reprint of an earlier book which the author, Christine MacDonald, has updated to take account of recent archaeological finds and new knowledge about the Isle of Lewis. It is a good popular history of Lewis which is suitable for those who wish to gain a quick all round knowledge of the Island's history. Containing a good bibliography it will whet the reader's appetite to go on to further research. A foreword by folklorist and Scottish author Margaret Bennett enhances the book. Available from Amazon.co.uk
	Metagama: a Journey from Lewis to the New World In 1923 the first of 3 Canadian liners arrived in Stornoway. Their mission, with the connivance of government officials, was to remove landless islanders, many of which were war veterans, rather than give them a plot of land. On an island still reeling from the Iolaire disaster, the removal of so many young families was to be yet another blow. Even at the time the importance of the occasion was realised. A huge crowd had gathered on the quayside to say farewell amidst Gaelic psalm singing and the strains of a pipe band. Many of those who went were never to see their families again. For the island of Lewis the departure of the Metagama was hugely symbolic. As author Jim Wilkie shows it was also the continuation of clearance by another means and a method of diverting attention from government failure and neglect. 206 pages. Published in June 2001. Available from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk
	Around the Peat-Fire The year was 1912 the date the twenty-ninth of May. In a little geo at the village of Shawbost on the Atlantic coast of Lewis, a group of crofter women were gathering seaweed. The inward surge of an ataireachd bhuan (‘the everlasting swell’) swirled up to their feet. Beneath the outward heave of the receding water the shingle grumbled. It was on this day that Calum Smith was born, and his mother was one of those who was working on the beach on that day. While his childhood was a happy one, it was one of very considerable poverty, and his story gives a unique insight into life on Lewis through the First World War and to the opening of the Second. Full of humour and life, his memoirs are a celebration of a still largely Gaelic culture and society in the throes of great change. His boyhood and education took place in and around Stornoway (at Shawbost and Laxdale) and the book is peopled with characters and families well known in Lewis to this day. It is also the story of an island and community at a time now at the edge of memory and about which little is written 176 pages. Published in November 2001. Available from Amazon.co.uk or the publishers Birlinn
	Finlay J. Macdonald Omnibus An omnibus edition of Finlay J. Macdonald's nostalgic and often comic accounts of growing up on the Hebridean island of Harris between the wars. They were first published individually in the 1980s as 'Crowdie and Cream', 'Crotal and White' and 'The Corncrake and the Lysander'. As a child I remember hearing these stories narrated on the radio and would highly recommend them for a flavour of the islands. Paperback. 544 pages. Order your copy from Amazon.co.uk
	Castaway This is the full, in-depth story of the 32 'Castaways' who set off to build a self-sustaining community on the isle of Taransay. After 12 months on the island only 25 remained. They were isolated from their previous lives, their families and (some of) the trappings of the modern world. Their progress was watched by audiences of 8 million on BBC TV. Author Mark McCrum visited the island frequently and became a confidante to many of the castaways throughout their joys and sorrows, toil and trouble. This 575-page paperback edition published in April 2001 includes 2 whole new chapters - covering their departure from the island, their plans for the future, the media reaction to their return, Trish and Trevor's baby, Tammy's new-found happiness and Ben's romances. Order your copy from Amazon.co.uk
	The Life and Death of St Kilda: The Moving Story of a Vanished Island Community This 297 page paperback by Tom Steel is one of the most popular books about St Kilda and is a highly recommended read. Numerous old photos. Available from Amazon.com and Amazon UK
	St Kilda: Island on the Edge of the World Charles Maclean A part of Britain but a world apart, St Kilda society existed almost completely isolated from the mainstream of civilization for more than 1000 years. Increased contact with the mainland during the 19th century brought about the downfall of what many once regarded as an ideal society. Missionaries and tourists brought money, disease and despotism. In 1930 the islanders, who could no longer support themselves, were finally evacuated at their own request. The island's story was chiefly recorded by outsiders. This book examines the island and the St Kildan society as a microcosm of a process which is consistently taking place, often on a much larger scale, all over the world. St Kilda remains a symbol of the ability of man to survive in the most hostile of environments and it remains a fascination unique among islands. This new edition of Charles Maclean's study of the island contains an introduction highlighting recent findings about St Kilda. Paperback. 200 pages. Available from Amazon.com and Amazon UK
	A House by the Shore & Scarista Style Two books in one. The first book documents Alison and Andrew Johnson's retreat from urban life to the beautiful rugged landscape of the island of Harris. They make their home in the old manse at Scarista, turning a rat-infested near-ruin into a major hotel boasting the Prince of Wales among its guests and consistent listing in good food guides. The second book is a collection of Alison's recipes, with asides on the Good Food scene. Containing an assortment of vegetarian, fish and meat dishes, this is a guide for transforming natural ingredients into award-winning cuisine.' Scarista House is now in new hands (see accommodation section above). Order your copy from Amazon.co.uk
	Rosemary: Castle Cook Rosemary Shrager used to run a summer cookery school at Amhuinnsuidhe Castle on Harris. This delightful book is as much a tribute to this magically beautiful place as a record of her cooking and recipes with local produce. Accompanies the Channel 5 TV series in the UK. Available from Amazon UK