Islands of Scotland - Hardcover

ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND DVD: Islands of Scotland marvels at the staggering beauty of Scotland s islands from the air. Using challenging aerial photography, the series shows the islands in a dramatic new light, from some of the remotest islands in the UK, to some that are within easy reach of Scotland s mainland cities. The series is written and narrated by popular Gaelic broadcaster John Carmichael. John explores the geography and natural history of six different island groups. The Orkney Isles - Orkney has been inhabited for at least 5,500 years. Originally inhabited by neolithic tribes and then by the Picts, Orkney was invaded and finally annexed by Norway in 875 and settled by the Norse. It was subsequently re-annexed to the Scottish Crown in 1472, following the failed payment of a dowry for James III s bride, Margaret of Denmark. The Shetland Islands - The Shetland Islands comprisies more than a hundred islands, (just 15 of them inhabited), that span the hundred miles (145km) between Fair Isle and Out Stack, the northernmost point of Britain. This bustling archipelago of 22,500 people boasts abundant wildlife, a spectacular coastline and dozens of major archaeological sites. The 567 sq. mile (1468km²) county of Shetland is an entrancing mixture of Scotland and Norway. ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND LITTLE BOOK: Ringing the coasts like a gorgeously jewelled necklace, the islands of Scotland form one of the country s most precious assets. Numbering nearly 800 in all, the islands fall mainly into four major archipelagos the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland but many others are to be found clustered round Scotland s west and east coats. And each island, whether inhabited or devoid of human presence, has its own character, landscape and natural wonders. Island-hopping visitors may find majestic mountain ranges, long, lonely and golden beaches, vast wild moorlands and bustling, tourist-friendly towns. Hikers and ramblers, while taking in vistas of awe-inspiring beauty, can discover magnificent flora and fauna and ancient reminders of the isles veiled past. Islands of Scotland starts with a discussion of the islands intriguing histories and a look at their geographical wonders. It goes on to examine each of the island groups in turn, from the Solway Firth in the south-west to the better-known Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland to the west and north, finishing with the rocky skerries that dot the Firth of Forth in the east. Each chapter covers the landscape, people, culture and natural treasures of an island group, evoking the mysterious beauty of places that have drawn humans for millennia. Readers, whether they are new to the islands or seasoned visitors, will find themselves yearning to take the road to the isles.