Product Description

Portrays in words and pictures every breed of native Scottish farm animal. The essence of rural life, its people, places and unsurpassed landscapes This magnificient journey around every breed of Scottish native farm animal portrays in words and pictures, the essence of rural life. Full of anecdotal humour and a deep feeling for the countryside. The vivid images of landscape and the sights and sounds of nature are frequently stunning and perfectly complimented by the detailed illustrations of internationally renowned wildlife artist Keith Brockie. 67 pages of b/w illustrations and 57 pages of full colour.

From the Author

A journey round all Scotland's native breeds and the wonderful people who have stuck to them through thick and thin. These stalwarts have avoided the fashion of today's agricutural fads and whims, and continued regardless despite the fierce competition from faster maturing beasts from the continent.
Hampered by the dread disease Foot and Mouth,this book took us longer to complete than we wished. It was always my aim to record this vital part of Scotland's rural life in an accesible volume that would appeal to a wide audience.

From Shetland in the north, to deepest Galloway in the far south west and places such as the Hebrides and Luing inbetween, we travelled all over Scotland to try to capture its people, places and unsurpassed landscapes. The chapters of this book evolved through the meetings with the wonderful characters, who gave generously of the their time and imparted to me their wonderfully unique tales.

With renowned international artist, Keith Brockie as the book's illustrator, the aim was to capture the real esence and flavour of Scotland and its rural life, as it is today.

Radical changes in rural life have, and are driving out the very people who are the life blood of the Scottish countryside. My aim was to make this a book that told their story and that would quite simply provide a unique record of their way of life before it was too late.

Perhaps few realise that many of Scotland's stunning farm animals are in fact rare or endagered. It is frightening to think that were it not for their dedicated followers - most, if not all would be lost for ever.

Scotland is one of the most beautifully diverse countries in the world, and its hardy breeds of native farm animals are a vital part of our heritate - I hope that Rural Portraits is a book that clearly puts this message across. Humour is a vital ingredient to today's pressured life- I hope most of all that this comes to the fore throughout the book. Certainly, Keith Brockie's illustrations are simply unsurpassed

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4.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rural Portraits, 12 Jun 2003

By	MS P E M Malczewska (By Aberfeldy, Perthshire United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This book is the result of a collaboration between Polly Pullar, writer and photographer, and well known wild life artist keith Brockie. It accurately and comprehensively documents the status quo of native Scottish breeds of farm animals: something that has not been done before. As such it is an important work which should be in every public library and school.
Apart from this, it is a sumptious book: a really good read, and not a page is turned without being confronted by yet another stunning illustration which in every case corresponds precisly with the text.
Polly's writing is clear, informative, entertaining, and often very moving. It describes not only the animals, but the characters who farm them, and the landscapes in which they dwell.
I sincerely believe that to possess a first edition of this beautiful book is a thoroughly good investment.

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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ruggedly Beautiful, 13 Jun 2003

By	Freddy Pullar (Aberfeldy, Scotland) - See all my reviews

This book is an excellent portrayal of a rapidly disappearing way of life. The illustrations enhance the writing's imagery in such a way that you are transported into the life of the characters, animals and landscapes you are reading about.
This book is suitable for all readers, ages 8 to 80. It is wonderful to read and stunning to look at. This is a welcome escape into a world unbeknown to many people. Few would believe such a livelehood ever existed in Britain, or even the Western World.

The book is a tour of Scottish native farm animals, the characters and people involved, and their natural habitats and the landscapes they live in. This book is written for all, from the London city slicker, to the West Highland crofter. From Muckle Flugga on Shetland, to Ayrshire in the Borders, the book opens a window onto Scotland as it was, rugged, but beautiful. So from faithful Border Collie, to Castle Milk Moorit sheep, no animal has been forgotten, not least in the wonderful illustrations.
If you wish to escape computers, traffic jams, airports and the rat race of urban Britain, this book is a must. It's free flowing, descriptive writing, accompanied by the vivid sketches and drawings provide the perfect retreat for minutes or hours.

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