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On the Other Side of Sorrow: Nature & People in the Scottish Highlands
Probing deep into history and literature, this book uncovers the irony of the dispute between Highlanders and conservationists whose thinking is based on the romantic ideals of the nineteenth century. Hunter's book has worldwide implications.
219 pages, Hardcover
First published September 11, 1995
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About the author
James Hunter
163 books40 followersJames Hunter was brought up in North Argyll. He was educated at Duror Primary School, Oban High School and Aberdeen and Edinburgh Universities.
He was the first director of the Scottish Crofters Union which he helped to establish as a highly effective pressure group with a substantial membership right across the crofting areas.
A journalist, broadcaster and writer, Hunter has published a number of books about the Highlands and Islands. He has lectured in Britain and North America on Highland history and on Scottish environmental and land use issues, as well as making many radio and television programmes.
He was the first director of the Scottish Crofters Union which he helped to establish as a highly effective pressure group with a substantial membership right across the crofting areas.
A journalist, broadcaster and writer, Hunter has published a number of books about the Highlands and Islands. He has lectured in Britain and North America on Highland history and on Scottish environmental and land use issues, as well as making many radio and television programmes.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 5, 2019
This is quite a dense read and I bought it expecting it to be about ecology, but its much more about the history of Scots nature writing and was a fascinating insight into Scots writers that this reader really enjoyed. I want to go away and read so many of the poets discussed - I already love Sorley MacLean (in translation obvs), so if you are interested in what makes Highland culture tick you could do a lot worse than read this. Its written in a driven way and you can feels the author's passion for this subject on every page
October 25, 2020
I picked this up from a shop on Skye a few years ago, as I like to have a book as a souvenir. It wasn't what I expected at all - rather than primarily focusing on ecology and social sciences, it supports its core argument with historical literature. The core argument? That the Scottish Highlands should be repopulated.
Although it was not what I expected, I learned so much from this book, and encountered some beautiful poetry. The style of this book is very academic and quite dense, so it is more challenging that your typical non-fiction read, but I still found it quite readable.
The book touches on a huge range of topics, including the Highland Clearances, Gaelic, 'modern' (1990s) environmentalism, and various literary traditions. There are points I'm not sure I agree with, and I did feel the argument may have lost its way in places, but still worth a read if you are interested in these topics.
Although it was not what I expected, I learned so much from this book, and encountered some beautiful poetry. The style of this book is very academic and quite dense, so it is more challenging that your typical non-fiction read, but I still found it quite readable.
The book touches on a huge range of topics, including the Highland Clearances, Gaelic, 'modern' (1990s) environmentalism, and various literary traditions. There are points I'm not sure I agree with, and I did feel the argument may have lost its way in places, but still worth a read if you are interested in these topics.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews