The Bone Cave: A Highland Journey through Myth and Memory

by Dougie Strang

This is a book about stories – old stories of people and place, and of the more-than-human world.

A vivid account of a journey through the Scottish Highlands, The Bone Cave follows a series of folktales and myths to the places in which they're set. Travelling mostly on foot, and camping along the way amid some of Scotland's most beautiful and rugged landscapes, Dougie Strang encounters a depth of meaning to the tales he tracks – one that offers a unique perspective on place, culture, land ownership and ecological stewardship, as well as insights into his own entanglement with place.

Dougie sets out on his walk at the beginning of October, which also marks the start of the red deer rut. The bellowing of stags forms the soundtrack to his journey and is a reminder that, as well as mapping invisible landscapes of story, he is also exploring the tangible, living landscape of the present.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, History, Memoir, Mythology, Scotland

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 5, 2023

About the author

Dougie Strang (b. 1966) is a writer, storyteller and performer whose work is inspired by the Scottish landscape. Born and brought up in Glasgow, he studied folkore at the School of Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh, and has lived and worked in numerous places, including the Scottish island of Iona, Portugal and New Zealand.

Strang is the author of The Bone Cave: A Journey Through Myth and Memory (2023) and a contributor to Antlers of Water: Writing on the Nature and Environment of Scotland (2020). He has created and directed work for numerous festivals and events and is a core member of the Dark Mountain Project, the international network of writers, artists, scientists and others whose work addresses current social and environmental crises. He is a regular contributor to the online magazine Bella Caledonia. He lives in Argyll.

Reviews

[Dr. Siobhán · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought this book at the wonderful Ullapool bookshop before incidentally visiting the Bone Cave mentioned in this personal account of hiking through Scotland and engaging with it's folklore (especially the cailleach). As a fellow academic and Gàidhlig speaker I found parts of the book wonderful and others deeply annoying. In some ways the book feels unfinished: ideas are tossed aside, chapters are short and end unexpectedly, the overall engagement with the content matter verges from personal anecdotes to academic engagement to random ideas. I might not have been in a good mood when finishing the book, so this might be a somewhat harsh review. I did enjoy parts of it but I personally would've expected more.

[Caroline Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this once I had got into it which took a few chapters.
I kept stopping to grab the relevant OS maps to follow his journey and mark places in my mind to explore.

[Jesse Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found a little hard to follow at times, especially when he described surroundings using the Gaelic names of landmarks, rather than visual descriptions. Might be easier for someone familiar with the area. Otherwise really enjoyed it, especially the author’s musings on life, fatherhood and the earth.

[Vik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a melancholy whimsey to it. I saved it especially for moving to new Zealand and it was perfect to fill the need of thinking about Scotland and its mythic, story rich scenery. When you look out from the top of a Monroe and envision the narratives woven into the scenery. But also the need to maintain those stories, to recognise that what you're seeing is not necessarily how Scotland looked or how it should look in regards to environmental impacts.

A very cosey book to keep one company when far away 🖤

[Terri Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following the authors month long walk and the history of the places he visits, the mountains and streams, the woodlands and crags, all holding their place in Scotland and the folk tales that has managed to survive over the centuries.
Dougie Strang writes of his journey in a way that you can easily imagine yourself stood in his place, of being able to see and experience the things in which he did, there's a beauty in his writing, that leaves you wanting to visit for yourself and just leave the business of the cities behind you.

[Alan Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the kind of book I usually read, I don’t often do non-fiction, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I know some of the areas where Dougie has wandered, and I kept looking on maps to follow his progress. I love folk tales, so the idea of walking the land of the tales is fascinating, and getting to know Dougie slowly through shared stories was great. I would recommend The Bone Caves to anyone, especially if you love the Highlands, Scotland, or folk tales.

[Ferelyth Bruce-Lockhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was slightly disappointed in this book, as I expected much more on the folktales and legends and less on the places the author visited. However, once I got over that disappointment, an engaging read.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding on numerous levels, Strang conveys the vastness of Scotland in place and time through a careful, sensitive and often poetic travelogue uncovering the Cailleach and other mythologies of the north west Highlands. A book to savour and cherish.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book because I know the area of Scotland the Bone Caves are in well. I enjoyed some chapters more than others. It’s informative - but the sections about the folk tales I had to read quite carefully. A more detailed map would’ve helped. Maybe I’ve been generous giving it 4 stars.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author sets off on a hike across/around the Highlands of Scotland and, besides recounting his adventures, he tells of the folklore associated with each place. I didn't love this as much as I thought I would but it was still a nice read.

[Alexandra Joy Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely an interesting read.

[Katie 1 Desmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect book to read after visiting Scotland

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book!

[Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some beautiful gems in this.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always adore Birlinn's Scottish books

[Jane Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I beautiful book, far better than I expected, one to savour, highly recommended