Scottish book of the week

Life is full of surprises. Whether it be winning the lottery (I wish), or the latest results of the Bake Off (there are some exits I never see coming), or perhaps, as I have discovered, becoming engrossed in a genre you swore blindly you do not like and never, ever will.

Robin Crawford is the perpetrator to blame for this and it is all thanks to his new book Into The Peatlands.

In Crawford’s first venture into the writing world, he skilfully transports the reader to the beautiful island of Lewis to follow the seasonal processes of maintaining and cultivating peat.

I know this may not initially sound like a gripping read, but the thing you should know is that this book is more than just about peat.

OK, if this were a fictional read, peat would technically be the main protagonist, but Crawford has woven a wonderful narrative around the subject matter so it becomes not just a study about a very technical process, but rather a study on the cultural significance peat has had on the island.

The factual elements of the book are interspersed with endearing tales of the people of Lewis providing a pleasant insight into island life. Arguably, most interesting of all was discovering the role peat has had in Scottish folklore – who knew?

After reading several books within the nature genre, I find it takes a talented writer to take something so factual and spin an intricate web of storytelling that makes an educational study not only enlightening, but very easy and enjoyable to read. The end result of Crawford’s exertions is a book that is injected with enthusiasm and almost lyrical prose – a book to be held in high esteem within its genre.

So, all I can say is (with the very bad pun intended), for peat’s sake, go and read this for yourself! I hope you find it as enjoyable as I did.

Into The Peatlands: A Journey Through The Moorland Year Robin A. Crawford, £12.99.9/10