The North Sea: Along the Edge of Britain

by Alistair Moffat

The North Sea, a maritime highway and the edge of the nation of islanders with a proud sea-faring past. Running from Kent and the Rhine estuary to the Norwegian coast and the tip of the Shetland islands, it has been home to warring tribes, foreign invaders, lost civilisations and holidaymakers. Its history spans millennia, since a seismic shift sent land retreating and water rushing in. Today, the North Sea continues to rise, claiming land mass as the east coast crumbles and sinks.

In The North Sea, renowned historian Alistair Moffat spends a year travelling its shores to better understand our relationship to the sea. He takes us on an epic, sweeping history from the white cliffs of Dover to flooded homes, crossing wild fenland and Brexit fault lines, visiting well-worn seaside towns and windswept island monasteries.

The story he tells is one of newcomers and the mark they left, of Roman invasions, the arrival of the Saxons and the Viking raids. But it is also a story of those they met, of Pictish citadels and Orcadian stone circles. It is a story of technological advancement, of submarine engineering and weather forecasting. It is a story of huge industry, from whaling expeditions and fishing trawlers to the boom of North Sea oil and offshore wind farms. This is the story of how the North Sea shaped us and will continue to do so; it is above all a story of insistent, inescapable change.

Genres: Nonfiction

352 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication April 7, 2026

About the author

Alistair Moffat is an award winning writer, historian and former Director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Director of Programmes at Scottish Television.

Moffat was educated at the University of St Andrews, graduating in 1972 with a degree in Medieval History. He is the founder of the Borders Book Festival and Co-Chairman of The Great Tapestry of Scotland.

Reviews

[Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alistair Moffat is a great writer. He's a great speaker too, if you get the chance to hear him, and he writes as he speaks; not the sort to benefit much from an interviewer. The North Sea is yet another of his travelogues, this time making th journey northwards from Thanet in Kent up to the Orkneys (slightly bizarrely in the 'Fair Isle' section). I love his observations, some of which might be a little snooty: he's a bit rude about the modern Butlins visitor, but then again I don't suppose too many contemporary Butlins visitors will ever read The North Sea, so it doesn't matter.

I have one reservation. There's an extraordinary chapter about links golf in the section around Edinburgh anf the Lothians when, of all places, he chooses Bruntsfield Links as an ancient links golf course. Not only does he suggest it's one of the oldest 'links' courses in the world, he even places Mary Queen of Scots there in the 16th century. Given that Bruntsfield Links is nowhere near the sea, it's an extension of The Meadows, several miles inland, on the south side of the city centre, the Castle and the old Nor' Loch, I have my doubts. But it gives Moffat the chance to write about a game played there with his companion.

I mention that mainly because I'm certain that he's got that wrong, so I wonder how much other junk is in the book? Perhaps we shouldn't expect perfect research from one so prolific.

Anyway, it's still a good read.

[Andrew Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute joy. Wonderful read. A combination of facts - I learned a lot - relating to the history, geography, geology, archaeology etc. of the (mainly) strip of the eastern coastline of Britain. The author includes a few tales of his own experiences and has produced a most readable and enjoyable account of Britain’s history and of its current state. A minor quibble is that maps (shipping forecast areas, the author’s route, Scott’s explorations etc.) illustrations and photos would have been very useful. I suppose that comes down to cost considerations but I, for one, would gladly fork out more for such a volume. Highly recommended.

[Hannah Jung · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an engaging journey from Kent to Orkney, covering history, art, geology, engineering, archeology and everything in between to celebrate the importance of Britain's relationship with the North Sea. This is a subject that is close to my heart, so I enjoyed this. Full of interesting anecdotes, some amusing, some awe-inspiring, and some profoundly sad.

[Robert Burgon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read- Moffat has a lovely style which brings subjects to life.