Description
Book SynopsisSven T Kjellberg, Director of Goteborgs Historiska Museum (now called the Goteborgs Stadsmuseum), and his assistant Olof Hasslof travelled through the islands of the Outer Hebrides in 1934 for research into the maritime culture of the area, with the emphasis on material culture - the boats, the tools of the trade. Renowned ethnologist Professor Emeritus Alexander Fenton presents the research with additional material of his own. A key feature of the book are the 80 sepia photographs and 35 line drawings published here for the first time.
Trade Review' ... These are living homes. There is white sand scattered on the floor. There are dressers with crockery by the wall. Kettles and griddles hang from links and hooks above the central fire of stacked peats. Black cats and dogs huddle as close as possible to the low flames. ...' West Highland Free Press ' ... Along with a fascinating photo-record of island life, they made sketches and plans of everything from peat-spades to pothooks, from barns to boxbeds. ... it bespeaks their unquestioning respect for the way of life they found; a respect it's hard not to share as we peer through this window on to a vanished age.' Scotsman ' ... This is a fairly specialised book, but a beautifully produced one that draws the more casual reader in with its wonderful photographs and fascinating drawings. ... a hugely enlightening read.' Undiscovered Scotland ' ... In their travels, they discovered a culture and people little affected by the homogenised, secular ways of the modern world.' Country Life ' ... a wonderful illustration of a life that has virtually disappeared. ... The diary goes into great detail about the houses visited and the lifestyle of the crofters ... The photographs of the islanders and their buildings are quite remarkable.' Scottish Life 'As the book represents the first systematic ethnological field research among the coastal population of the Outer Hebrides, it has great documentary value, and for scholars dealing with coastal culture in fishing communities there will be valuable information available in this book.' International Journal of Maritime History ' ... another notable legacy of his [Professor Sandy Fenton's] international interests and scholarship.' Review of Scottish Culture
Table of ContentsSECTION 1 Introduction Landscape and Land Use Cultural Connections of the Outer Hebrides Scandinavian Scholars in the Outer Hebrides Aage Roussell Gudmund Hatt Ake Campbell Jens Worsaae British Scholars in the Outer Hebrides Captain F W L Thomas (Sir) Arthur Mitchell E Cecil Curwen Preserving a Blackhouse: 14a Callanish The Blackhouse: its Features and Terminology Hand Tools Blackhouse Furniture SECTION 2 Diary and Notes by Sven T Kjellberg and Olof Hasslof, 1934, translated from Swedish. SECTION 3 A Century of Change, 1840s - 1934 Buildings and Structural Features The Kelp Industry Cropping and Stocking Lug-marks Boats and Fishing Conclusion Appendix 1: List of Photographs taken in the Outer Hebrides by Sven T Kjellberg and Olof Hasslof.
