A Summer in Skye

by Alexander Smith

In 1864 the poet, essayist, and novelist Alexander Smith spent six weeks exploring the island of Skye, resulting in a book that is widely regarded as his masterpiece. Perceptive and insightful, this new edition provides Smith's detailed accounts of the islanders at work and play, their customs, folklore, and the incidental details of everyday living. Vivid and magnificent descriptions of island culture shape this classic memoir of 19th-century Skye.

Genres: Scotland, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1865

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base. This is Alexander^^Smith

Alexander Smith was a Scottish poet, labelled as one of the Spasmodic School, and essayist.

Reviews

[Seonag Paterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favourite books about Skye. Captures so well the mood and spirit of the island, and a style of landscape writing that I would love to emulate! This book has inspired me often to walk in and visit and revisit some stunning places in Skye. If you love the island, I'd highly recommend this book.

[Marisa Bantjes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect book to read on my summer holiday in Scotland this year. Not quite in Skye, but quite near. I picked the book off the bookshelves in the cottage we stayed at in Lochcarron. Outdoor activities in the hills and on the beaches prevented me from finishing it whilst there. Luckily I could lay my hands on a copy and finished it at home. The book by poet and essayist Alexander Smith describes a long summer vacation spent in Skye in 1864, including the journey there and back to his home in Edinburgh. His writing is lovely, fresh and evocative, you can picture Skye, the mountains, the sea ,the people, as clear as if you were there walking with him. His feelings and words are in no way out-dated, but fresh as if they were written today. I share his love for Scotland and so reading this book was a little virtual holiday for me. Being a lover of poetry as well, Smith introduced me to many names of poets, writers and their works I will have to look up. Tannahill and Hugh McDonald, to name just two. Lovely book.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tourism in Scotland in the 19th century, beautifully wirtten