A remote, barren, and ruggedly beautiful island lies at the southern end of the Outer Hebrides, west of Scotland. Its people, loyal for centuries, have abandoned it to time but the beauty and the history of Mingulay remain. Buxton documents the story of a people and of an island. In the last century, Mingulay was home to up to 160 people who lived by crofting, fishing, and by catching seabirds on cliffs which are among the highest in Scotland. Looking back through the annals of history the author uncovers the traditions of a hospitable, close community which thrived under clan rule. But set in a stormy Atlantic ocean with no proper landing place, isolation, absentee landlords, and insufficient fertile land eventually led to the disintegration of the Mingulay culture. By 1912 the evacuation of the island was complete.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I suppose that, in the interest of scholarly thoroughness, the first two chapters of this book are necessary, but they certainly make for bone-dry reading. After that, the intrinsic interest of the subject asserts itself (as well as the author's skill), and it is smooth sailing from then on. What began as the author's student dissertation has become a comprehensive reference on the Hebridean island of Mingulay, along with chapters on the smaller neighboring isles of Berneray, Pabbay, and Sandray. Buxton seems to have made use of every available source of information and includes maps, photos (I found myself wishing there were more of them), appendices containing songs in both the original Gaelic and in English translation, a glossary of names, a population table, footnotes, a bibliography, etc. This will surely be the standard by which any future books on the subject will be measured. Other than the slow start, the only other negative comment I would make (and it is a minor one) is that the text is oddly set with a sometimes disconcerting ragged right edge. THE book for anyone fascinated with this now-deserted island in the Outer Hebrides.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Rosie
Format:Paperback
I bought this book just after returning from a day trip to Mingulay. I wish I had had it with me on the island to help identify the buildings and natural features. The book really brings out the character of the islanders. Their descendants still live on Vatersay and Barra, as well as on the mainland, and I know that Ben Buxton talked to all of them he could reach. The people reach out to you from the pages of this book. Our landlady on Barra was the daughter of a "Vatersay Raider" so was able to vouch for the veracity of events related.
The book also covers the other uninhabited islands of the group - Berneray, Pabbay and Sandray - so it is a wonderful resource for any visitor to Barra or Vatersay who wants to visit these islands.
The book also covers the other uninhabited islands of the group - Berneray, Pabbay and Sandray - so it is a wonderful resource for any visitor to Barra or Vatersay who wants to visit these islands.
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