Betsy Whyte (1919–1988)

The second, and final, volume in the personal memoir of Scottish traveller, Betsy Whyte.
This volume is set in the lead up to WW2 through to the end of the war.
Life is changing for travellers. Camping spots are being restricted; school attendance is being enforced, and travellers are being inevitably led to a sedentary life.
The author writes wonderful clear memories, very definitely in the "show, don't tell" school of writing. The reader becomes immersed in episodes in the life of Betsy.
I show more loved both volumes of her memoirs. She enables the reader to see life through her eyes, and to imagine what must have been like in a different era, and an almost unimaginably different life style. Wonderful stuff. show less

An autobiography of a Scottish traveller (gypsy) born in early 1900s.
The story is told by snapshots - it doesn't attempt to follow her life from birth.
We meet her as a youngish school girl and follow her to early adulthood.
The adage that reading broadens the mind applies here. I can't imagine ever knowing the way of life of these travellers other than via this book.
The writing is clear and concise. The editor tells us in the intro that his job was largely limited to upgrading punctuation.
A show more great read. show less

This book tells of what life on the road was like in the early 1900s, and of how different types of people treated the gypsy folk. It's full of fascinating insights, some quite sad moments, and also happy memories of Betsy Whyte, whose tale this is. Betsy was a terrific storyteller and I am looking forward to reading the second part of her story in Red Rowans and Honey.

The second book of Betsy Whyte's memoir of growing up as a traveller in Scotland. Travellers are nomadic people, also known as gypsies. Though not highly educated, Betsy Whyte, is a naturally gifted writer. If you love Scotland, as I do, you will enjoy this book. There is a lot of dialect, for which the glossary in the back of the book is a great help. Betsy is also a piper!