Description

Book Synopsis

For more than two thousand years the people of St Kilda remained remote from the world. Their society was viable, utopian even; but in the nineteenth century the islands were discovered by missionaries, do-gooders and tourists, who brought with them money, disease and despotism. In 1930, the few remaining islanders were evacuated, no longer able to support themselves.

An exploration of the life and death of the remote Hebridean society, Island on the Edge of the World is a moving account of human endeavour.



Trade Review
A story like a marvellous pebble, wet from the sea, strange and comic like all things out of step with time, sad as the old songs the women sang, splendidly told * * Sunday Times * *
Reawakened my awe at the strangeness of our world -- WILL SELF
A profound moral for our time . . . A beautiful, well-written book * * Washington Post * *
A fascinating book . . . Charles Maclean is an excellent writer . . . he describes the story of St Kilda with powerful compassion -- MAGNUS MAGNUSSON
An evocative study of the island * * Scotsman * *
Excellent * * Esquire * *

Island on the Edge of the World: The Story of St

    Product form

    A Paperback / softback by Charles MacLean, Margaret Buchanan

    £9.49

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    RRP £9.99 – you save £0.50 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Fri 18 Sep 2026.

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      Book details

      Publisher Canongate Canons
      Published 17 January 2019
      ISBN-13 9781786896100
      978-1786896100
      ISBN-10 1786896109
      Also in:
      History European history Social and cultural history Natural History Nature and the natural world: general interest

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      For more than two thousand years the people of St Kilda remained remote from the world. Their society was viable, utopian even; but in the nineteenth century the islands were discovered by missionaries, do-gooders and tourists, who brought with them money, disease and despotism. In 1930, the few remaining islanders were evacuated, no longer able to support themselves.

      An exploration of the life and death of the remote Hebridean society, Island on the Edge of the World is a moving account of human endeavour.



      Trade Review
      A story like a marvellous pebble, wet from the sea, strange and comic like all things out of step with time, sad as the old songs the women sang, splendidly told * * Sunday Times * *
      Reawakened my awe at the strangeness of our world -- WILL SELF
      A profound moral for our time . . . A beautiful, well-written book * * Washington Post * *
      A fascinating book . . . Charles Maclean is an excellent writer . . . he describes the story of St Kilda with powerful compassion -- MAGNUS MAGNUSSON
      An evocative study of the island * * Scotsman * *
      Excellent * * Esquire * *

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