This is an amazing book for anyone who is interested in the ancient customs, crafts, techniques and way of life in the Scottish Highlands in previous times.

The author founded the Highland Folk Museum, and the book is the result of her discussions with people who could recall using items exhibited, and as a result of her research in this area. Over the sixteen chapters, insight is provided into a wide variety of aspects including:. “food, physic and clothing”, “seasons and great occasions”, “ the lie of the land and the shape of human settlements”.

As well as providing descriptive information, there is also a fair amount of background information which helps one get an idea of the thinking and culture at the time and brings it to life e.g . … Arms were so much part of the people’s everyday equipment and, ……so much helped to account for their belligerence and pride and also for the respect that they paid to each other.

It is a book to be dipped into, as every chapter has gems. For myself, who has little knowledge of Highland life moving back through the centuries, the book opened up a totally new area of interest which I could relate to clan and family history - whether it was understanding how hard a life they had, how important song and music was, or helping me to understand dress and tradition.