Monty Halls

This is a funny, and sometimes moving, look at Monty Halls' six months living off the land in Applecross, Western Scotland. He starts by doing up an old bothy, with the help of locals who were to become his friends. He gets some pigs and some chickens, and starts to grow his own vegetables.

Having just visited Skye, which is just across the water from Applecross, the book had a special meaning for me, and Skye is mentioned on numerous occasions throughout the book.

Monty's dog, Reuben, is a great and mischievious character too, and full of energy.

I loved Monty's account of running up the conical shaped mountain on Skye. It had me laughing out loud as he described his tearing pain.

This is a superb true story of a man living off the land with beautiful Scotland as a backdrop. It's an easy read, and comes highly recommended.… (mehr)

When I first caught this series on BBC2, I had high hopes and I have watched every episode with a hint of disappointment. The first let down was when I realised Mr Halls was planning to spend only a summer as a Highland crofter; the second was that the series was only five episodes, all of which seemed to be more of a travelogue of the area than any real attempt at adapting to a different lifestyle.

By Episode 2, I was aware of a book accompanying the series, and I purchased it in the hope of finding more in depth information. Alas, I was to be disappointed again. Yes, there were some extra tidbits in there, but not much. It lacked some substance, too, and I learned very little about being a crofter, even if only for a Summer. I should have known really, when I saw the book was categorized as “travel”. I was also a little puzzled as the episodes Monty describes in the book differed somewhat from what was shown on the television series. Perhaps it was to make the book read better, or the series more watchable: either way, it was disconcerting.

I just wish it has provided a bit extra in the way of stories from his time in the area, or history of crofting, or the practicalities of bartering. Oh, yes, bartering. Mr Halls planned to spend a week living off what he could catch, grow or barter and through the entire series I only ever saw him barter half a dozen eggs for a cappuccino and this only in the final episode, which was not what I expected from the prologue.

Of course, the book was enjoyable, as enjoyable as the series actually. Monty claims not to be a writer, but he certainly made this book an easy read. Having seen the series, his descriptions seemed more than apt and I did get a little lost in his world. By the end of the read, I really wanted to hear more about Reuben, the rescue dog and faithful companion to Monty throughout his sojourn in the Highlands. It seems Reuben immersed himself completely in the world of Beachcomber Cottage and its surrounds and he more than enjoyed himself.

The pictures in the book were a nice touch, as were the sketches, provided, the reader is informed, by Monty’s sister. The chapters fly by and the book can be read in one afternoon and might be a pleasant read if you’re planning a short stay in Scotland. I am sure it will do much to promote Applecross, the Isle of Skye and a few others places, giving a boost to the local economy in tourism, but this book (and series) could have been so much more.

Truth be told: I would have liked to learn more about Keith and Rachel Jackson's business; the couple who helped Monty with his livestock.… (mehr)