Sea Change: The Summer Voyage from East to West Scotland of the Anassa

by Mairi Hedderwick

One of Scotland's best-known and best-loved author/illustrators takes readers on an unforgettable voyage of discovery recounting her six week journey down the Caledonian Canal and out to sea in a small, antiquated sailing boat.

Genres: Nautical

Hardcover

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

Although she was born in Gourock, and attended the Edinburgh College of Art, the highlands and islands of Scotland have always been Mairi Hedderwick's true home. In 1962 she settled on Coll, where she raised her family and taught art at primary school. Her first home on Coll had no electricity or running water, and the nearest neighbor lived two miles away.

Mairi Hedderwick is the author and illustrator of the much loved Katie Morag series of children's books the first of which was published in 1984.

Hedderwick has also written and illustrated several travel books, including Highland Journey and An Eye on the Hebrides.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous book, filled with wonderful sketches and watercolours by Mairi Hedderwick who is a superbly talented artist.

The book details her leisurely journey across from east coast to west coast Scotland (via the Caledonian Canal) and up through the lochs and waterways, and around the west coast islands on their 26 foot wooden (teak) yacht Anassa which was built in Rangoon in 1954.

It isn't always a pleasant journey - she and "the Captain" encounter rough weather, storms, they run aground and suffer damage to their boat. But they also meet old friends, and have nostalgic trips to places they remember from years gone by.

I think, however, I would have enjoyed it a lot more had I already known that part of Scotland. I don't (yet) and it wasn't always easy to keep track of where they were on the map in the book. But, other than that, if you like tales of boat journeys, with banter and humour, then you will enjoy it.

[Linda Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming account of some of the anchorages we have just visited in our sailing trip around the Scottish Islands and lochs.

[Christine McConnachie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really lovely read, and beautiful illustrations and artwork throughout. Witty and interesting. A book I would definitely recommend

[Claire Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and the payoff comes at the end.

[Jamie Riddick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brought back happy memories of sailing on the west coast. Her illustrations and watercolour paintings are very pretty, but I couldn’t get properly into the writing.