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\"Peter May and photographer David Wilson present a photographic record of the countless locations around the Hebridean archipelago that so inspired May when he was bringing the islands of detective Fin McLeod's childhood to the page. From the tiny southern island of Barra to the largest and most northern island of Lewis, travel the storm-whipped North Atlantic scenery with May as he once again strolls the wild and breathtaking countryside that gave birth to his masterful trilogy of novels\"--Amazon.com.

The settlement at Bornais in the Western Isles of Scotland is one of the largest rural settlements known from the Norse period in Britain. It spans the period from the fifth to the fifteenth century AD when the Atlantic seaboard was subject to drastic changes. The islands were systematically ravaged by Viking raiders and then colonised by Norse settlers. In the following centuries the islanders were central to the emergence of the Kingdom of Man and the Isles, played a crucial role in the development of the Lordship of the Isles and were finally assimilated into the Kingdom of Scotland. This volume explores the stratigraphic sequence uncovered by the excavation of Bornais mounds 2 and 2A. The excavation of mound 2 revealed a sequence of high status buildings that span the Norse occupation of the settlement. One of these houses, constructed at the end of the eleventh century AD, was a well preserved bow-walled longhouse and the careful excavation and detailed recording of the floor layers has revealed a wealth of finds that provides invaluable insight into the activities taking place in this building. The final house in this sequence is very different in form and use, and clearly indicates the increasing Scottish influence on the region at the beginning of the thirteenth century. The excavation of mound 2A provides an insight into the less prestigious areas of the settlement and contributes a significant amount of evidence on the settlement economy. The area was initially cultivated before it became a settlement local and throughout its life a focus on agricultural activities, such as grain drying and processing, appears to have been important. In the thirteenth century the mound was occupied by a craftsman who produced composite combs, gaming pieces and simple tools. The evidence presented in this volume makes a major contribution to the understanding of Norse Scotland and the colonisation of the North Atlantic in a period of dramatic transformations.

\"Over six years, Bunting traveled the Hebrides, exploring their landscapes, histories, and magnetic pull. She delves into the meanings of home and belonging, which in these islands have been fraught with tragedy as well as tenacious resistance. Bunting considers the extent of the islands' influence beyond their shores, finding that their history of dispossession and migration has been central to the British imperial past.\"--Provided by publisher.

In The Lordship of the Isles, twelve specialists open new perspectives on the rise and fall of the MacDonalds of Islay and the politics, culture and society of the greatest Gaelic lordship of later medieval Scotland.

\"Bradt's new guide to the Outer Hebrides: The Western Isles of Scotland, from Lewis to Barra, by experienced writer and journalist Mark Rowe is the only full-size guide to focus solely on the islands of Lewis, Harris, St Kilda, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, Eriskay, Barra and Vatersay. Background information is included, from geography and geology to art and architecture, with significant coverage of wildlife, too, as well as all the practical details you could need: when to visit, suggested itineraries, public holidays and festivals, local culture, plus accommodation and where to eat and drink. Walkers, bird-watchers, wildlife photographers, beach lovers and genealogists are all catered for, and this is an ideal guide for those who travel simply with curious minds to discover far-flung places of great cultural, historical and wildlife interest. The Outer Hebrides is an archipelago of 15 inhabited islands and more than 50 others that are free of human footprint. Huge variations in landscape are found across the islands, from Lewisian gneiss, which dates back almost three billion years, to rugged Harris with its magnificent sands running down its western flanks and the windswept, undulating flatness and jagged sea lochs of the Uists. This is a land where Gaelic is increasingly spoken and ancient monuments abound, where stunning seabird colonies and birds of prey can be watched, and where the grassy coastal zones known as the machair are transformed into glorious carpets of wildfllowers in late spring and summer. Whether visiting the Standing Stones of Callanish, the Uig peninsula, Barra's Castle Bay, or historic St Kilda, or if you just want to experience the romance of the Sound of Harris, one of the most beautiful ferry journeys in the world, Bradt's Outer Hebrides: The Western Isles of Scotland, from Lewis to Barra has all the information you need.\" -- Provided by publisher.

Explorer Ben Fogle meets more people who've turned their back on the rat-race and set up home in some of the most remote and inhospitable parts of the world. We join Ben on a unique and tiny island in the Scottish Hebrides with his host, ex-social care worker Philip. Ben finds out how Philip became a custodian of this coastal island.

Ben joins Nic and Ady Goddard, who uprooted themselves and their two teenage children from a comfortable life in Worthing, West Sussex, to take up crofting on the island of Rum in the Inner Hebrides. Joining them in their caravan, Ben learns how they survive such a challenging lifestyle and helps them tend their animals, farm their vegetable patch and dig the foundations for what they hope will be their future home - a new cobb house.

The island's laird, John Lorne Campbell, and his American, wife, Margaret (she was Margaret Fay Shaw from Glenshaw, near Pittsburgh), are used to challenge. In his 70's now, Mr. Campbell, who has owned Canna since 1938, has been a spirited fighter all his life - against the uninterest of London or even the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, in the welfare of the Hebrideans. Both Campbells have campaigned for the preservation of the Gaelic language and culture - they met and married in the 1930's when Mrs. Campbell was studying Gaelic and writing a book, ''Folksongs and Folklore of South Uist'' (another Hebridean island to the west of Canna). In 1981, Mr. Campbell, fearing unwelcome modern influences and anxious to insure a true Scottish destiny for Canna, made over his island by deed of gift to the National Trust of Scotland. Their view, as Mrs. Campbell put it, was, ''We said to the National Trust, 'we don't own Canna, we serve it. And you must, too.' '' Getting Around For those wishing to make their own way through the islands, an invaluable guide to the area's transport system can be found in ''Getting Around the Highlands and Islands,'' published by the Highlands and Islands Development Board, 27 Bank Street, Inverness, Scotland IV1 1QR (telephone: 0463-34171), which costs $1.50 at all of Scotland's widespread information centers. The guide also contains scheduled sailing days and times for ferries. Travelers who buy a Highlands and Islands Travel Pass, which permits unlimited travel on trains, buses and ferryboats, are given a free copy of the book. The pass, which costs $68 for five days and $113 for ten days, is sold at the British Travel Bookshop, 680 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10019. Ferries The main link for boat transportation around the islands is Caledonian MacBrayne (telephone: 0475-33755) in Mallaig, Inverness, on the mainland. One-way fare from Maillaig to [Eigg], $3; [Muck], $4.20; Rum, $4.80; Canna, $6.60. The first three need a small ferryboat on arrival; fare, about 30 cents. The boats do not sail every day; check ahead. Fares, one way, for the Shearwater, operated by Mudo Grant from Arisaig, another port on the mainland in Inverness (06875-224), are: to Eigg, $7.50; to Rum, $10.50; and from Eigg to Muck, $3; from Eigg to Rum, $4.50. Again, check on departure times. Private charters may be arranged with Bruce Watt, Arisaig (06875-224), among others. Housekeeping The system used by visitors doing their own cooking on the islands is to arrange for supplies through an intermediary or, better still, directly with a shop in Mallaig. Two good stores in Mallaig are accustomed to helping out. One is Mace, a small supermarket, part of a chain (with a butcher's section). Call Mr. MacClelland at 0687-2240. The other is A.& W. Maclean, run by William Kirk (0687-2008). Supplies can be ordered by mail or telephone and collected en route to the ferry; both shops can supply goods during a visitor's island stay, using the ship's regular sailings (depending on weather conditions). Eigg can supply some basics, including milk, potatoes, eggs, vegetables, fish and lobsters ''by arrangement.'' Orders can be telephoned in advance to Peggy MacKinnon at the post office (0687-82432). M.K.