The Hebrides

Paul Murton, Birlinn, £14.99 A shiver of basking sharks off the island of Coll, the founding of a new gin distillery on the Isle of Jura, 18th Century lovers reunited by the sea after death – these are just some of the fascinating stories that Paul Murton uncovers in this new book about Scotland’s Hebridean islands.

The book sees him visit each of the Hebridean islands in turn, from Gigha to Lewis, Lismore to St Kilda. Lesser-known islands such as Handa or Gometra and groups such as the Shiants and Garvellachs are afforded the same treatment as the more densely populated Mull or Skye.

Proceeding geographically, Murton interweaves each island’s myths and legends, history and culture into a narrative. His descriptions of the landscape and its nonhuman inhabitants are evocative: Jura’s stark hills and empty spaces are invigorating and his encounter with a basking shark captures the mystery of the sea.

Along the way he also meets islanders and gathers their stories. He records the reflections of crofters, fishermen, tweed weavers, Gaelic singers, artists, postmen and bus drivers – the people who make the islands tick. He speaks with island lairds who cherish their heritage and others, like Lawrence MacEwan of Muck, who nurtures the idea of community.

Any reader, whether armchair traveller or Hebridean voyager, can glean overarching insights about the islands from this patchwork of anecdotes and enjoy 150 full colour photographs, mostly by the author himself.

Paul Murton is well known as a documentary film maker whose work includes Grand Tours of Scotland and Grand Tours of the Scottish Islands (four series).

Don’t miss our exclusive interview with Paul Murton in next week’s Weekend magazine, free with The Courier Saturday August 19.

9/10