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The Hebrides at war
Book by Hughes, Mike
119 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 4, 2026
Another book that I read after seeing the review of a GR Friend. Up until then I hadn’t known of it. It caught my interest since I’ve been to many of the Hebridean islands. The book only covers the 1939-45 conflict.
This is s a short book, and the text is padded out with numerous photographs. The author comments that some of the photos were taken illegally. As might be imagined, at the time anyone caught photographing military activity faced a stiff prison sentence. Although the book is short, about 40% of it is actually focused on RAF and RN activities in and around the town of Oban, which is on the mainland. Oban is though a major ferry port, and has strong cultural links with the islands, so I think the author can be granted a degree of licence. The main other locations featured are Tobermory (Mull), Islay, Tiree and Benbecula, but many other islands get a mention.
Oban and the Hebridean locations were used as bases for convoy protection (from both the RN and RAF), anti-U-Boat operations, training, meteorological flights, radar and communications purposes, air-sea rescue, and other activities. The book relies heavily on personal testimonies from those who were there. Personally I think these are a valuable record. Those posted to the islands had to cope with primitive conditions, since in the 1940s the islands had neither electricity nor running water. Some of those sent also expressed their surprise at the tremendous winter gales which swept these exposed North Atlantic isles, destroying huts and damaging or even wrecking parked aircraft. At the same time, some of those posted to places like Tiree, or Benbecula, were intrigued at the traditional lifestyles they encountered.
There are of course stories of heroism and sadly also of loss. I was interested to read the testimony of a survivor of a Catalina flying boat which crashed into a hillside on the island of Vatersay. Six of the nine-man crew survived but the others were killed. You can still see the wreckage of that aircraft – I’ve seen it myself several times. For me it is something that should never be disturbed.
This is worth a read if you know the area and are interested in its history. My thanks to my GR Friend JD for the review that led me to the book.
This is s a short book, and the text is padded out with numerous photographs. The author comments that some of the photos were taken illegally. As might be imagined, at the time anyone caught photographing military activity faced a stiff prison sentence. Although the book is short, about 40% of it is actually focused on RAF and RN activities in and around the town of Oban, which is on the mainland. Oban is though a major ferry port, and has strong cultural links with the islands, so I think the author can be granted a degree of licence. The main other locations featured are Tobermory (Mull), Islay, Tiree and Benbecula, but many other islands get a mention.
Oban and the Hebridean locations were used as bases for convoy protection (from both the RN and RAF), anti-U-Boat operations, training, meteorological flights, radar and communications purposes, air-sea rescue, and other activities. The book relies heavily on personal testimonies from those who were there. Personally I think these are a valuable record. Those posted to the islands had to cope with primitive conditions, since in the 1940s the islands had neither electricity nor running water. Some of those sent also expressed their surprise at the tremendous winter gales which swept these exposed North Atlantic isles, destroying huts and damaging or even wrecking parked aircraft. At the same time, some of those posted to places like Tiree, or Benbecula, were intrigued at the traditional lifestyles they encountered.
There are of course stories of heroism and sadly also of loss. I was interested to read the testimony of a survivor of a Catalina flying boat which crashed into a hillside on the island of Vatersay. Six of the nine-man crew survived but the others were killed. You can still see the wreckage of that aircraft – I’ve seen it myself several times. For me it is something that should never be disturbed.
This is worth a read if you know the area and are interested in its history. My thanks to my GR Friend JD for the review that led me to the book.
May 23, 2018
What I really liked about this book is that it is filled with short personal memories about life in the Hebrides during the war. The book is also unique for me because it concentrates on a particular area and it's contribution during the World War 2. A short book filled with good information and some great photos, but a little bit more would have made the book a 5-star read.
June 16, 2025
Good historical insight to the impact on the islands during the war
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews