Books about Mull and the Small Isles 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
Harris - Lewis - Taransay - St Kilda
Uists and Barra
Skye
Orkney - Shetland

Books about Mull - Iona - Staffa
Small Isles - Rum - Eigg
The following books by various authors and publishers
can be ordered online via Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

Mull and Iona
Lovely colour guide with over 100 pages of photos. Written by P.A. MacNab, it covers the local heritage and culture of the islands, wildlife and the landscape, history of habitation, the clearances, place names, 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 to buy online via Amazon.co.uk. Very nice addition to my bookshelf.

The Isle of Mull
Another of those beautiful books which is far more than a mere guide book, but something to really treasure. Full of colour photos and information about Mull, it also covers the little islands around the coastline (Staffa, Ulva, the Treshnish Isles, etc.) and Iona. Dimensions: approx. 12 x 8 inches. Written by Alastair de Watteville who moved to the island in 1972.
To order your copy, click here

Mull & Iona: Highways & Byways
Written by Peter MacNab, this is one of the detailed b/w Luath Press guide books with maps.
Excellent for discovering some off the beaten track places and historic sites not always mentioned in general Scottish guides. Includes info on where to find standing stones and wildlife. Also contains details of the main tourist attractions. Recommended if you really want to explore the island and understand its history.
Paperback. 128 pages. Published in June 2000.
Order your copy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

Mull
An invaluable book if your ancestors came from Mull.
This is the story of the people of Mull, as told through the stories of the landlords, tacksmen, cottars, ministers and others who actually lived on or visited the island. The story of those who became rich and those who were bankrupted. The story of the Campbells replacing the Macleans. The story of civil war, Jacobite rebellion and then harsh repression. The economic boom through the cattle trade and kelp, and then economic crisis when these industries collapsed. From medieval society to tourism in the 20th century.
Author: Jo Currie. Hardcover edition. 400 pages Published in November 2000.
Includes sections of old b/w photos, colour photos and portraits.
Paperback edition due in late 2001.
Order your copy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

The Isle of Iona
One of those beautiful books which is far more than a mere guide book, but something to really treasure, this is the latest in Alastair de Watteville's series and accompanies his book on The Isle of Mull which he wrote after living on the island.
His publication on Iona consists of over 120 pages with 20,000 words of text illustrated by over 160 colour photos and 20 drawings. Dimensions: approx. 12 x 8 inches. Published in March 1999.
To order your copy, click here

Iona
Set at the western tip of Mull in the Inner Hebrides, the small island of Iona is the burial place of kings and the kernel from which Christianity took root among the pagan Picts, as well as being a symbol of Scottish independence. The island was also St Columba's choice for his spiritual base in 563.
This book tells the archaeological story of Iona, from Columba's monastery to the island's restoration and renewal in the late-1870s, assessing the many excavations on the island itself within the wider context of Pictland and Northumbria.
Written by archaeologist Anna Ritchie as one of the Historic Scotland series of books.
Paperback. 128 pages.
Available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

Adomnan of Iona: Life of St Columba
Written just a century after Columba died, by the Irish monk who became Saint Adomnan, this is one of the best sources of information about Columba. Published as a Penguin Classics paperback.
To order your copy, click here

The Isle of Staffa
Having once owned Staffa and lived on Mull, Alastair de Watteville is the ideal person to produce a book on this unique island. It is full of colour photos, drawings and information that you probably won't find anywhere else without doing a lot of research. After my trip to Staffa, I bought this book as soon as I saw it. What a magnificent souvenir! Dimensions: approx. 12 x 8 inches.
To order your copy, click here

The Small Isles
For many a spectacular skyline and magnificent scenery is their first awareness of the islands off Arisaig and Mallaig, yet their history is as central as their geographic situation to the story of the Hebrides. It was their misfortune that economic change and historical accident led to their marginalisation and the loss of so much of that extraordinary past.
This is the first book ever to be written on the collective history of these 4 islands. It provides a wide ranging, fresh and provocative analysis of these islands and their history.
Includes maps, population tables, details of stone crosses, some b/w photos.
Author: Denis Rixson. Paperback. 223 pages. Published in June 2001.
Order your copy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

Rum: Island of Deer
This new book by John A. Love reveals the human story of the island of Rum, both in the tragedy of the clearance and in the interlude of the Bullogh period when the folly at Kinloch was built. It also covers the history of the island stretching back to the mesolithic period and the earliest settlements in Scotland.
Includes sections of old b/w photos, colour photos and portraits. Hardcover. 317 pages. Published in July 2001.
Order your copy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

Rum: Nature's Island
Review by HIGHLAND NEWS: If you have already been to Rum, then this book will make you return. If you have never been to Rum you will just have to go to this magical island.
Written by Magnus Magnusson and published in co-operation with Scottish Natural Heritage to mark the 40th anniversary of the acquisition of Rum by its predecessor, The Nature Conservancy. Description by the publisher:
Thoroughly researched and written in a lively accessible style, the book includes comprehensive coverage of the island's geology, animals and plants, and people, with a special chapter on the Edwardian extravaganza of Kinloch Castle.
There is practical information for visitors to what was once known as the Forbidden Isle; the book provides details of bothy and other accommodation, walks and nature trails. It closes with a positive vision for the island's future: biologically diverse, economically dynamic and ecologically sustainable.
Order your copy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

Eigg: the Story of an Island
Written by Camille Dressler (a French resident on the island) and published in April 1998.
Following the ownership battle for the island in 1997, this text tells the story of Eigg, from its earliest inhabitants to the present, detailing its recently-acquired independence and community ownership. The book draws extensively on oral history from the islanders themselves and from local archives, with stories of clans, pastimes, wartime, childhood and crofting.
Paperback. 222 pages.
Order your copy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

Bill Lawson Publications
Books about the Hebrides
Harris - Lewis - Taransay - St Kilda
Uists and Barra
Skye
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.

	Mull and Iona Lovely colour guide with over 100 pages of photos. Written by P.A. MacNab, it covers the local heritage and culture of the islands, wildlife and the landscape, history of habitation, the clearances, place names, 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 to buy online via Amazon.co.uk. Very nice addition to my bookshelf.
	The Isle of Mull Another of those beautiful books which is far more than a mere guide book, but something to really treasure. Full of colour photos and information about Mull, it also covers the little islands around the coastline (Staffa, Ulva, the Treshnish Isles, etc.) and Iona. Dimensions: approx. 12 x 8 inches. Written by Alastair de Watteville who moved to the island in 1972. To order your copy, click here
	Mull & Iona: Highways & Byways Written by Peter MacNab, this is one of the detailed b/w Luath Press guide books with maps. Excellent for discovering some off the beaten track places and historic sites not always mentioned in general Scottish guides. Includes info on where to find standing stones and wildlife. Also contains details of the main tourist attractions. Recommended if you really want to explore the island and understand its history. Paperback. 128 pages. Published in June 2000. Order your copy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk
	Mull An invaluable book if your ancestors came from Mull. This is the story of the people of Mull, as told through the stories of the landlords, tacksmen, cottars, ministers and others who actually lived on or visited the island. The story of those who became rich and those who were bankrupted. The story of the Campbells replacing the Macleans. The story of civil war, Jacobite rebellion and then harsh repression. The economic boom through the cattle trade and kelp, and then economic crisis when these industries collapsed. From medieval society to tourism in the 20th century. Author: Jo Currie. Hardcover edition. 400 pages Published in November 2000. Includes sections of old b/w photos, colour photos and portraits. Paperback edition due in late 2001. Order your copy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk
	The Isle of Iona One of those beautiful books which is far more than a mere guide book, but something to really treasure, this is the latest in Alastair de Watteville's series and accompanies his book on The Isle of Mull which he wrote after living on the island. His publication on Iona consists of over 120 pages with 20,000 words of text illustrated by over 160 colour photos and 20 drawings. Dimensions: approx. 12 x 8 inches. Published in March 1999. To order your copy, click here
	Iona Set at the western tip of Mull in the Inner Hebrides, the small island of Iona is the burial place of kings and the kernel from which Christianity took root among the pagan Picts, as well as being a symbol of Scottish independence. The island was also St Columba's choice for his spiritual base in 563. This book tells the archaeological story of Iona, from Columba's monastery to the island's restoration and renewal in the late-1870s, assessing the many excavations on the island itself within the wider context of Pictland and Northumbria. Written by archaeologist Anna Ritchie as one of the Historic Scotland series of books. Paperback. 128 pages. Available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com
	Adomnan of Iona: Life of St Columba Written just a century after Columba died, by the Irish monk who became Saint Adomnan, this is one of the best sources of information about Columba. Published as a Penguin Classics paperback. To order your copy, click here
	The Isle of Staffa Having once owned Staffa and lived on Mull, Alastair de Watteville is the ideal person to produce a book on this unique island. It is full of colour photos, drawings and information that you probably won't find anywhere else without doing a lot of research. After my trip to Staffa, I bought this book as soon as I saw it. What a magnificent souvenir! Dimensions: approx. 12 x 8 inches. To order your copy, click here
	The Small Isles For many a spectacular skyline and magnificent scenery is their first awareness of the islands off Arisaig and Mallaig, yet their history is as central as their geographic situation to the story of the Hebrides. It was their misfortune that economic change and historical accident led to their marginalisation and the loss of so much of that extraordinary past. This is the first book ever to be written on the collective history of these 4 islands. It provides a wide ranging, fresh and provocative analysis of these islands and their history. Includes maps, population tables, details of stone crosses, some b/w photos. Author: Denis Rixson. Paperback. 223 pages. Published in June 2001. Order your copy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk
	Rum: Island of Deer This new book by John A. Love reveals the human story of the island of Rum, both in the tragedy of the clearance and in the interlude of the Bullogh period when the folly at Kinloch was built. It also covers the history of the island stretching back to the mesolithic period and the earliest settlements in Scotland. Includes sections of old b/w photos, colour photos and portraits. Hardcover. 317 pages. Published in July 2001. Order your copy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk
	Rum: Nature's Island Review by HIGHLAND NEWS: If you have already been to Rum, then this book will make you return. If you have never been to Rum you will just have to go to this magical island. Written by Magnus Magnusson and published in co-operation with Scottish Natural Heritage to mark the 40th anniversary of the acquisition of Rum by its predecessor, The Nature Conservancy. Description by the publisher: Thoroughly researched and written in a lively accessible style, the book includes comprehensive coverage of the island's geology, animals and plants, and people, with a special chapter on the Edwardian extravaganza of Kinloch Castle. There is practical information for visitors to what was once known as the Forbidden Isle; the book provides details of bothy and other accommodation, walks and nature trails. It closes with a positive vision for the island's future: biologically diverse, economically dynamic and ecologically sustainable. Order your copy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk
	Eigg: the Story of an Island Written by Camille Dressler (a French resident on the island) and published in April 1998. Following the ownership battle for the island in 1997, this text tells the story of Eigg, from its earliest inhabitants to the present, detailing its recently-acquired independence and community ownership. The book draws extensively on oral history from the islanders themselves and from local archives, with stories of clans, pastimes, wartime, childhood and crofting. Paperback. 222 pages. Order your copy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk