The Hills is Lonely tells a simple tale: needing to recuperate from an illness, the author finds a suitable retreat on the Hebridean island of Bruach, whose inhabitants, routines, and rituals are as eccentric and entertaining as any reader could wish. Beckwith's narrative describing island life i...
They say that little boys always used to carry a piece of string in their pockets, for just in case. I suppose it's not much different to carry a rope with you wherever you go ....You never know when it'll come in handy.Much as I love these books about the author's life on Bruach, I'm rather gla...
On the Hebridean island of Bruach, life among the crofters is as happy and full of humour as ever. Beckwith tells enchanting tales about the islanders' wit, their canny resourcefulness and their gossipy interest in outsiders. There is Flora and the fancy dress dance, beachcombing, whelk gathering...
Filled with the same sort of happy spirits, eccentric characters, and amusing anecdotes which distinguished its predecessors, The Loud Halo brings to a humorous and spirited conclusion a wonderful trio of narratives. Originally published in 1964.
'The Lord puts the salmon in the river like he puts the berries on the trees. They're there for all of us, not just for the laird.' The Bruach islanders don't consider poaching a crime, more like a natural right. Fishermen Erchy and Hector are experts, but they are not the only ones tempted. Even...
My head still echoed the rhythmic jogging of the train, for I am one of those unfortunates who, if they travel five hundred miles in actuality, travel at least another thousand during sleep. The bed was cosy enough to make the prospect of leaving it seem unattractive and I...
Infernal Gulliver 6. Infernal Gulliver The rainwater tank was full to overflowing and the drowned moth lay on the surface of the water, pitifully dead, its outspread wings semi-transparent as if they had already begun to disintegrate. I paused, captivated by the beauty and fragility of the insect...
Kirsty asked sleepily, ‘Will I get up and make the porridge?’ ‘No, no,’ he bade her. ‘We will take a mug of brose just and be off to the creels. We will take our porridge when we get back. It’s the way we’re used to doing it.’ As soon as she heard them leave the house she got up and went into the...
‘What’s he doin’ aboard?’ they asked, seeing the Spuddy. ‘Ship’s dog,’ replied Jake laconically. ‘Where’s his kid, then?’ asked the youngest crewman, recognizing the dog and when Jake gave a brief explanation they murmured small pretended grumbles a...
‘For every day of mist in March there’ll be an inch of snow in May,’ the old crofters predicted. This was our fourth day of mist in the first fourteen days of March so it looked as if we must expect an exceedingly cold May. I had finished breakfast, milked my cow and fed t...
‘That’s a good idea,’ I agreed, ‘but while we’re about it let’s be ambitious. Let’s go as far as Inverness and see some shops.’ Morag and I had often talked of going away together for a few days’ holiday but always before she had pleaded that her animals and poultry prevented her from leaving the...