Hamish Haswell-Smith

This is a gorgeous book. The illustrations of the islands, painted or sketched in ink by the author, are every bit as beautiful as the cover painting. The details on the 53 islands make fascinating reading. Haswell-Smith starts his story at Ailsa Craig. What? I said. That's just a rock! Apparently it's somewhat larger than it appears from the mainland. Although now uninhabited by humans (its gannet population is significant) it is the source of some of the world's best curling stones. The show more description of the offcuts from the quarrying as "miniature Henry Moore sculptures" is brilliant.

And that's just one island, and one of the smallest. I do wish he'd found the space in the book to write more about Barra though, or anything at all about Vatersay. But I suppose we all have a favourite Hebridean island. This book is definitely worth keeping as a reference. show less