Isles of the West: A Hebridean Voyage

by Ian Mitchell

Overview

Isles of the West describes a three-month voyage made in the summer of 1996 around the Hebrides. The author's aim was to explore the major issues peculiar to the islands as the century dawns. How does land reform, for example, look from the point of view of the islanders? Does nature conservation actually help the environment? Is the commercial promotion of 'heritage' a blessing or a curse?

Interwoven with the beauty of the islands and the seductive feeling of freedom which comes from making long voyages in small boats is the nagging worry that alien forces, both Scottish and European, sentimental and mercenary, are distorting the indigenous society by imposing outside ideas on communities which are valued in part because they are so free of external pressures. Who are these bodies, both public and private, that want to save the islands from the islanders?

Ian Mitchell's controversial book examines these conflicts and describes how pleasant it can be to worry about the future while lolling on the sun-drenched deck of a gently moving sailing boat.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780857901880
Publisher:	Birlinn, Limited
Publication date:	07/30/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	338
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Ian Mitchell is the author of Isles of the North (2004) and Isles of the West. He lived for twelve years in Moscow, where he researched his book, Russia and the Rule of Law. He now lives in Campbeltown where he also makes films about books he has read in the course of his research.

Ian Mitchell is the author of  Isles of the North (2004) and  Isles of the West. He lived for twelve years in Moscow, where he researched his book,  Russia and the Rule of Law. He now lives in Campbeltown where he also makes films about books he has read in the course of his research.