This short book contains diverse topics.
James Grant's article 'Three Lost Men of the Bounty' is a personal investigation into the controversial events surrounding the mutiny.
Alan Lawson contributes 'The North West Company of Canada - the Highland Connection'.
James Bruce demonstrates his intimate knowledge of communications in the area with 'The Memorials on Military Roads by William Taylor and Robert Anstruther'.
The final article is a second by James Grant. 'No Crofters in Ermine' which begins, in his words, with 'the myth of the Clearances'! He continues with the Crofters Act of 1886 and concludes in the mid twentieth century.
This is a miscellany for all those with an interest in the Highlands.
In 1985 the Inverness Field Club held the fourth in a series of 'Learned Weeks'.
The resulting papers are contained in this excellent book.
Dr Frances Shaw presents a detailed summary of sources available for seventeenth century Highland history, concentrating chiefly on records in Edinburgh but excluding Gaelic and non-Scottish sources for reasons of space.
Economic, Church and Educational issues are dealt with by Dr Ian Donnachie, Dr James Kirk and Mr Donald Withrington respectively.
A further group of essays does full
justice to what many will think of as the highlights of the period -
Montrose and Claverhouse are given a sober and fair-minded assessment by
Dr David Stevenson, Montrose's campaign and victory at Auldearn is
re-examined by Ruairidh MacLeod and Glen Coe is subjected to a thoughtful
study by Dr Paul Hopkins who tends to lighten the burden of guilt carried
by Breadalbane.
Nicholas MacLean-Bristol's work on the MacLeans, especially the chiefs of
Duart, Lochbuie and Coll completes this valuable section.
Two other contributions help to provide an evaluation of Highland society and culture in the period. Sorley MacLean reviews the remarkable output of seventeenth-century Gaelic poetry whose authorship is either unknown or only to be guessed at. Finally, Mr Bruce Lenman gives a hard hitting judgement on the Highland aristocracy and their links with North America.
This publication was well received when
published as it advanced considerably the knowledge and understanding of
Highland history in the seventeenth century.
This illustrated book contains contributions from local and national experts. It would make an ideal companion for anyone walking the Great Glen Way. The roads, railways and Caledonian Canal are analysed and the geology, climate and agricultural change post Culloden are looked at in detail.
Other chapters investigate 'Church and School post Culloden' and the work of the Fortified Estates Board. 'The militia, fencibles and non-regular forces of Inverness-shire from the Napoleonic Wards to 1914' adds a personal touch.
The Port of Inverness has a long and important history that is uncovered in the final section of the book.
This publication is superb for anyone interested in the 'Loch Ness area'.
Mrs G. Cameron
Swallowhill
Lentran
Inverness IV3 8RJ
E-mail: invernessfieldclub@btinternet.com