The Highland Clans

Description

Alistair Moffat traces the history of the clans from their Celtic origins to the coming of the Romans; from Somerled the Viking to Robert the Bruce; from the battles of Bannockburn and Flodden to Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Risings; and from the Clearances to the present day. These are stories of great leaders and famous battles. They are also stories of an extraordinary people, shaped by the traditions and landscape of the Scottish Highlands. Moffat is an adept guide to the world of the clans and carefully chosen illustrations draw you even further into this fascinating world. The story of the clans is also about the great emigrations to the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand which began after Culloden. Clansmen and women disappeared, but the memories have never faded. Even today the power of the ancient clan names persists, drawing many of the children of the diaspora back to this rugged corner of the world. Complete with a clan map, this is a must for anyone interested in the history of Scotland.

Alistair Moffat is an award winning writer and journalist. He is the former director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and has written over twenty books. Moffat was co-chairman and historian for the Great Tapestry of Scotland, a community arts project which produced the embroidered tapestry, designed by Andrew Crummy with contributions from around 1,000 stitchers from across Scotland. It was unveiled on 3 September 2013 at the Scottish Parliament.

'Full of character, combining proper research with a sure eye to what attracts and sustains an audience's attention ' - Scotland on Sunday 'Refreshing new material and commanding historical breadth in this lively and beautifully illustrated survey of 1,000 years of clancestry' - Country Life 'The best popular text of its kind ... Alistair Moffat is both a scholar and a writer in touch with ordinary folk. He deals with controversial topics expertly and keeps the facts in focus' - Scots Magazine 'An extraordinary achievement ... The Highland Clans drifts effortlessly between exceedingly good reference book and riproaring read' - Peeblesshire News