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Product Description
Product Description
The Shetland Islands sit where the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea meet, closer to the Arctic Circle than to London. Over the centuries they have been a vital staging post for Vikings, Hanseatic traders and merchant sailors from faraway lands. Yet somehow, the same islands remain off the map of British consciousness. Ron McMillan spent weeks on the unbeaten Shetland tourist path, braving the weathers to explore scenic landmarks, archaeological treasure troves and remote islands so under populated that for centuries they have lived with the threat of abandonment. A travel writer for more than twenty years, McMillan cast an inquisitive and witty eye over present-day Shetland to interweave the Islands history, archaeology and 400-million-year-old geology with observations of a remarkably hospitable society that remains intricately connected to the outside world. His warm and generous narrative is the first original Shetland travelogue since 1869. Set amidst fascinating locations and soaked in history, filled with stories skilfully told, this is a book for lovers of lyrical travel writing delivered with informed authority and irresistible humour.
About the Author
Ron McMillan has been travelling since 1979, when he spent time in Germany working on Formula One cars. This was not quite as glamorous as it sounds, particularly since the workshop was a grimy factory in Bavaria -- and the cars were toys. The following summer saw him in Germany again, where demolishing the roof of a metals factory sixty feet above swimming-pool-sized vats of boiling acid was only slightly less perilous than working with three psychotic Liverpudlians, all of whom were called Frank. After two years in Australia and New Zealand (funded by dishwashing, driving and digging ditches), came fifteen years in the Far East. He began in Korea as a part-time English teacher and full-time student of Tae Kwon-do; then, amidst the flying rocks and tear gas shells of nationwide student demonstrations in the run-up to the 1988 Seoul Olympics, became a freelance writer and photographer for newspapers and magazines in Asia, Europe and America. During a decade based in Hongkong, he visited Mainland China nearly fifty times, lied to men carrying guns in at least a dozen different countries, and made five tourist visits to isolated North Korea. The resultant photographs from North Korea graced the covers and inside pages of Time, Newsweek, L Express and the New York Times Sunday Magazine. On his return to Scotland in 1998, he took on a domestic travel column for The Herald. He also wrote and photographed travel and business stories for magazines including the inflight titles of Cathay Pacific Airways, Korean Air, Thai Airways and Japan Airlines. In the autumn of 2005, he spent five weeks in Shetland researching the first travel narrative to be written about the islands since 1869. Between Weathers Travels in 21st Century Shetland is the result. Ron McMillan is now a correspondent based in Bangkok, Thailand, where a vibrant live music scene allows him to indulge his passion for playing blues harmonica rather badly.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a truly delightful book. I felt totally bereft when I finished it .
During his stay in Shetland Ron McMillan not only talked to a lot of Shetlanders he also listened to them and the result is an extremely informative and easy read.
I have lived in Shetland for 30 years but still learned things I didn't know and was reminded of things I had forgotten.
A lot of my friends will be getting this book for Christmas if not before.
During his stay in Shetland Ron McMillan not only talked to a lot of Shetlanders he also listened to them and the result is an extremely informative and easy read.
I have lived in Shetland for 30 years but still learned things I didn't know and was reminded of things I had forgotten.
A lot of my friends will be getting this book for Christmas if not before.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Ron McMillan has written an excellent book that has made this particular traveler want to conquer his own aversion to traveling by sea and high tail it up to this stunning part of the country. Extremely difficult to put this book down once I stared to read it. Congratulations Ron!
MAC
MAC
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A great read, once I started I couln't put it down. Informative in an easy read style.Nicely humerous . Full of couthy chat and enlightening stories of Shetland folk.I cannot recommend it highly enough and will definitely be taking it along on my next trip back to Shetland.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The best way to prepare for a trip to Shetland
I have not yet been to Shetland, but having planned a trip for the summer of 2012, I bought this book and this turned out to be a wise decision! Read more
Published 5 months ago by M. A. J. Geurtsen
Essential reading for the traveller who likes travel books
This book serves two purposes, it is a travel guide to Shetland and a fine example of travel writing as literature. Read more
Published 9 months ago by wrinkled weasel
Shetlands brought to your living room
A great book and a wonderfully interesting read. I've never been to the Shetlands - but am going soon - and Ron's narrative gave me a wonderful insight into the islands, the... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Eric Scott
A great adventure
Intelligent and well written. I got a great sense of how life in the Shetlands is lived - it is the perfect armchair travel book. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Jonathan Chamberlain
An Excellent Read
The opening paragraphs of this book set the scene, and the rest of the book does not disappoint. Ron McMillan has brought to life the landscape of Shetland, but most of all has... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Sue B.
Very entertaining !
This book is quite a surprise. A traveloge of Shetland doesn't sound that thrilling but it's written in a very light and engaging style. Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2010 by Ms. Kathryn Ross
takes you there, and makes you want to stay...
A fabulous, readable book from a relaxed and entertaining writer. Full of information, witty insight and a real love of these wonderful islands, it's a must for visitors to the... Read more
Published on 4 Mar 2010 by Bobbie
What's next?
The personality that is Ron McMillan is on every page of this book. His fascination in the lives of people, and his ability to whittle details out of them, puts you there in the... Read more
Published on 27 Oct 2009 by Mrs. P. Greenhalgh
soggy boots an all
excellent read couldn't put it down. well young Ron just the book i was looking for not over bearing with to much detail just enough to leave me wanting to find out more and at... Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2009 by Mr. G. S. Borriell-barker
Very readable account of a remote and beautiful part of Britain
Having visited Shetland I wanted to understand more about the place, how it is to live in such a remote part of the world. Read more
Published on 2 July 2009 by M. Richardson
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