Overview

Acclaimed historian Alistair Moffat sets off in the footsteps of the Highland clans. In twelve journeys he explores places of conflict, recreating as he walks the tumult of battle. As he recounts the military prowess of the clans surely the most feared fighting men in western Europe he also speaks of their lives, their language and culture before it was all swept away. The disaster at Culloden in 1746 represented not just the defeat of the Jacobite dream but also the unleashing of merciless retribution from the British government which dealt the Highland clans a blow from which they would never recover. From the colonisers who attempted to 'civilise' the islanders of Lewis in the sixteenth century through the great battles of the eighteenth century Killiekrankie, Dunkeld, Sheriffmuir, Falkirk and Culloden this is a unique exploration of many of the places and events which define a country's history. Locations included are: PrestonpansGlenfinnan The Isle of Lewis Edinburgh Inverlochy Tippermuir Mulroy Killiecrankie Dunkeld Sherriffmuir Falkirk Culloden Moor Arisaig & Morar

Full Product Details

9781780278247

Table of Contents

Reviews

'Taking the reader through key historical moments of battles that would alter the country forever, he also offers fascinating insight into the language, culture and lives of the clans' * The Bookseller * 'This is a splendid book, evocative, and enlightening, Study it and take it with you if you set out to explore these scenes of long-ago battles; or, with its help, content yourself with reliving them in your imagination' -- Allan Massie * The Scotsman * 'There are digestible explanations of the complex politics that drew so much blood and reflections on the Gaelic culture that was swept away after Culloden... a stirring account' * Country Life Magazine * 'Centuries melt away in this riveting read' * Sunday Post *

'Taking the reader through key historical moments of battles that would alter the country forever, he also offers fascinating insight into the language, culture and lives of the clans' * The Bookseller * 'This is a splendid book, evocative, and enlightening, Study it and take it with you if you set out to explore these scenes of long-ago battles; or, with its help, content yourself with reliving them in your imagination' -- Allan Massie * The Scotsman * 'There are digestible explanations of the complex politics that drew so much blood and reflections on the Gaelic culture that was swept away after Culloden... a stirring account' -- Mary Miers * Country Life Magazine * 'Centuries melt away in this riveting read' * Sunday Post * 'A marvellous book in which the author takes you by the hand and leads you through some of the pivotal moments in Scottish history' -- Ken Lussey * Undiscovered Scotland * 'The prolific Scottish author Alistair Moffat has developed something of a speciality in combining scholarly analysis of historical figures with vivid descriptions of his own journeys in their footsteps... well-researched and well-written'  -- Ian Bradley * Church Times * 'He clambers through terrain described with vivid, sensory immediacy, telling the story of each battle, setting each in context in the landscape and offering terrifying glimpses of Scotland’s past'  * The Tablet *

'Taking the reader through key historical moments of battles that would alter the country forever, he also offers fascinating insight into the language, culture and lives of the clans' * The Bookseller *

'Taking the reader through key historical moments of battles that would alter the country forever, he also offers fascinating insight into the language, culture and lives of the clans' * The Bookseller * 'This is a splendid book, evocative, and enlightening, Study it and take it with you if you set out to explore these scenes of long-ago battles; or, with its help, content yourself with reliving them in your imagination' -- Allan Massie * The Scotsman *

Author Information

Alistair Moffat was born and bred in the Scottish Borders. A former Director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Director of Programmes at Scottish Television and founder of the Borders Book Festival, he is also the author of a number of highly acclaimed books. From 2011 he was Rector of the University of St Andrews. His previous books include The Reivers, The Borders, Scotland: A History from Earliest Times and To the Island of Tides.

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