About this item

Few landscapes are as striking as that of the Hebrides, the hundreds of small islands that speckle the waters off Scotland's northwest coast. The jagged, rocky cliffs and roiling waves serve as a reminder of the islands' dramatic geological history, inspiring awe and dread in those drawn there. With Britain at their back and facing the Atlantic, the Hebrides were at the center of ancient shipping routes and have a remarkable cultural history as well, as a meeting place for countless cultures that interacted with a long, rich Gaelic tradition. After years of hearing about Scotland as a place deeply interwoven with the story of her family, Madeleine Bunting was driven to see for herself this place so symbolic and full of history. Most people travel in search of the unfamiliar, to leave behind the comfort of what's known to explore some suitably far-flung corner of the globe.