Suggested Further Reading

I read Highlanders: A History of the Gaels a few years ago, before I moved to Lewis. It's a valuable resource to understanding the Hebrideans and where they are coming from. It's not a difficult read and not overly academic but not 'talking down' either.

Do NOT move up to Scotland until you have read this book! It's an indespensible guide to living here. Not only does it give information on such practical issues as employment and property buying, but it gives insight into the local customs and culture in Scotland too. One particular thing I remember was about to not bad mouth someone from Lewis to someone in Inverness as they may be related!

Here are some more books which are of interest.

I haven't read the Lillian Beckwith yet (I plan to!) but it has been highly suggested to me recently because they are full of lovely stories about a woman who went to live in the Hebrides in the 50's/60's. She has written a whole series, one of which I have put on this page.

The Complete Guide to Self-Sufficiency by John Seymour is THE bible for those wishing to Live the Good Life!

The other two books are on the Gaelic language, which you will hear spoken in the Outer Hebrides extensively, especially amongst the elder population.

Joanna Macy, Ph.D., eco-philosopher, is a scholar of Buddhism, general systems theory, and deep ecology. Her DVD "The Work that Reconnects" is a visual tool for educators, clergy, helping professionals, and activists who wish to understand this work. It is also a training guide for those currently facilitating the work and for those who may be inspired to do so. You will see Joanna teaching the conceptual foundations of the work, including the Great Turning, systems theory, deep ecology, and despair work, as well as many of her favorite exercises. To these she adds for the viewer guidelines on critical aspects and choice points of the experiential work.

Leslie Riddoch's new book "Riddoch on the Outer Hebrides" was recently launched here on Lewis. I had the fortune to actually meet her at our recent Connect Women's Network event. She is a well-known radio presenter, commenter and broadcaster. She is forthright and a clear speaker and her book of her travels by bike from the Butt to Barra reflects this - which was also a recorded radio programme!

Here are some excellent books on spinning and dyeing.

"Hands On Spinning" is a particularly thorough manual on spinning with clear pictures, instructions and projects for your finished product. "A Dyer's Garden" is well laid out, with instructions on how to lay out a border for dye plants as well as how to cultivate the plants and subsequently use them for dying with bright photos to illustrate how different mordants affect the end product.