Scotland: Mapping the Islands

Description

This stimulating and informative book reproduces some of the most beautiful and historically significant maps from the National Library of Scotland's magnificent collection in order to explore the many dimensions of island life and how this has changed over time. Arranged thematically and covering topics such as population, place-names, defence, civic improvement, natural resources, navigation, and leisure and tourism, Scotland: Mapping the Islands presents the rich and diverse story of Scottish islands from the earliest maps to the most up-to date techniques of digital mapping in a unique and imaginative way.

Christopher Fleet is Senior Map Curator in the National Library of Scotland with particular responsibilities for digital mapping. Margaret Wilkes is a member of the Steering Committee of the Scottish Maps Forum, a Director of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and Joint Chair of the Edinburgh Centre of the RSGS. Charles W.J. Withers is Ogilvie Chair of Geography at Edinburgh University and Geographer Royal in Scotland.

'This book is an informative delight to read and view. It makes a great companion volume to Scotland: Mapping the Nation from the same publisher' * Paul Milner Genealogy * 'It's a lovely book, full of extraordinary maps and stories. Islands are not just geologic land forms. Thanks to this book they are living and breathing entities with long and layered histories' * The Portolan * 'This is a delightful book, beautifully reproduced and to be savoured' * Legal Society of Scotland Journal * 'this is a book to use, to study and enjoy while celebrating Scottish islands in all their lovely variations and locations' * The Ileach * 'This is a triumph of a book, a beautifully illustrated account of how our Scottish islands have been understood by cartographers. It is a book that gives sheer, unadulterated pleasure to both eye and mind' -- Alexander McCall Smith 'the authors take us through a dazzling treasure trove of maps in a thematic way, rather than simply arranging them in chronological order ... this is a hugely impressive work of scholarship, not to mention a lifetime's supply of daydreaming material' * Scotland on Sunday *