Way of the Wanderers: The Story of Travellers in Scotland
A “vigorous and vivid and feisty” portrait of a traditional Scottish subculture from an insider (Dundee Courier & Advertiser).

Scottish gypsies, known as travellers, have wandered Scotland’s roads and byways for centuries, and their turbulent history is captured in this passionate book by Jess Smith, the bestselling author of Jessie’s Journey. This is less a conventional history than a personal pilgrimage through the stories, songs, and culture of a people for whom freedom is more important than security and a campfire under the stars is preferable to a warm hearth within stone walls.

Settled society has always discriminated against travellers, and Jess tells shocking stories of bullying, violence, the enforced break-up of families, and separate schooling. But drawing on her own and her family’s experiences, she also captures the magic and drama of days wandering the roads and working the land, and brings to life the travellers’ rich and vibrant traditions.
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Way of the Wanderers: The Story of Travellers in Scotland
A “vigorous and vivid and feisty” portrait of a traditional Scottish subculture from an insider (Dundee Courier & Advertiser).

Scottish gypsies, known as travellers, have wandered Scotland’s roads and byways for centuries, and their turbulent history is captured in this passionate book by Jess Smith, the bestselling author of Jessie’s Journey. This is less a conventional history than a personal pilgrimage through the stories, songs, and culture of a people for whom freedom is more important than security and a campfire under the stars is preferable to a warm hearth within stone walls.

Settled society has always discriminated against travellers, and Jess tells shocking stories of bullying, violence, the enforced break-up of families, and separate schooling. But drawing on her own and her family’s experiences, she also captures the magic and drama of days wandering the roads and working the land, and brings to life the travellers’ rich and vibrant traditions.
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Way of the Wanderers: The Story of Travellers in Scotland

Way of the Wanderers: The Story of Travellers in Scotland

by Jess Smith
Way of the Wanderers: The Story of Travellers in Scotland

Way of the Wanderers: The Story of Travellers in Scotland

by Jess Smith

eBook

$14.99 

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Overview

A “vigorous and vivid and feisty” portrait of a traditional Scottish subculture from an insider (Dundee Courier & Advertiser).

Scottish gypsies, known as travellers, have wandered Scotland’s roads and byways for centuries, and their turbulent history is captured in this passionate book by Jess Smith, the bestselling author of Jessie’s Journey. This is less a conventional history than a personal pilgrimage through the stories, songs, and culture of a people for whom freedom is more important than security and a campfire under the stars is preferable to a warm hearth within stone walls.

Settled society has always discriminated against travellers, and Jess tells shocking stories of bullying, violence, the enforced break-up of families, and separate schooling. But drawing on her own and her family’s experiences, she also captures the magic and drama of days wandering the roads and working the land, and brings to life the travellers’ rich and vibrant traditions.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780857905659
Publisher: Birlinn, Limited
Publication date: 02/12/2021
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 273
File size: 2 MB

About the Author

Jess Smith was brought up as a traveller in Scotland and is the author of several books, including her autobiographical trilogy beginning with Jessie's Journey. She is married with three children and six grandchildren and lives in Perthshire. As well as being a charismatic singer and storyteller at events throughout the world, Jess is a tireless advocate for travellers and gypsies. In 2011 she secured an official apology from the Church of Scotland for the injustices and discrimination suffered by Scottish travellers over many centuries.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations vii

Acknowledgements ix

The Inspiration xi

1 The Lochgilphead Tinker 1

2 The Beginning of the Journey 7

3 The Greens 13

4 Mansion on Wheels 17

5 Perth and the Romans 22

6 The Wandering Trail 26

7 Closing-Down Sale 32

8 The Broxden Curse 35

9 And On We Go 41

10 The Crieff Connection 47

11 Comrie and Beyond 52

12 The Dreaded Humpies 56

13 Clooty and the Ghost of Ardvorlich 64

14 East of Lochearnhead 73

15 Stories from Killin 75

16 Finn and St Fillan 79

17 Dermot O'Riley 83

18 From Kenmore to the Appalachians 89

19 The Picts of Kenmore 96

20 Weem Tales 100

21 The Urisks and the Brownie 115

22 Weem, Home of the Black Watch 118

23 Tales of the Tinker Soldiers 124

24 The Battle of Killiecrankie 129

25 War Memories 133

26 Balnaguard 136

27 The Caird 138

28 Cairds, Tinkers and Sinclairs 143

29 Gypsies 149

30 Gypsy Slavery 157

31 Next Stop on the Road 164

32 Descriptions of Gypsies from the Past 167

33 More Stories from Chambers 173

34 Simson's History 184

35 The Cottar Folk 197

36 The Report That Condemned the Tinkers 203

37 Eradicating the Culture 221

38 Berry Fields o'Blair 226

39 The Undesirables 232

40 The Next Attacks on Tinkers 236

41 Apartheid Education 245

42 No Life for Riley 256

43 No Room Here, Thank You 259

44 The End of the Road 263

Books Consulted 273

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