In July 1935, Robert Atkinson and John Ainslie set out on an ornithological search for the rare Leach's Fork-tailed Petrel. Their quest was to last for twelve years and took them from their Oxford base to many of the remote and often deserted islands off the north-west coast of Scotland.Island Going is the account of their adventure. Not only is it packed with marvellous descriptions of the wildlife and landscapes of the islands as well as the journey itself, it also paints a vivid portrait of the way of life of the islanders and their history and traditions.
In July 1935, Robert Atkinson and John Ainslie set out on an ornithological search for the rare Leach's Fork-tailed Petrel. Their quest was to last for twelve years and took them from their Oxford base to many of the remote and often deserted islands off the north-west coast of Scotland.Island Going is the account of their adventure.
| Introduction |
|
xi | |
| Prologue The Outliers |
|
xvii | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 | (6) |
|
|
|
7 | (16) |
|
Second Year North Rona -- Shiant Isles -- Canna |
|
|
|
|
|
23 | (13) |
|
|
|
36 | (10) |
|
|
|
46 | (8) |
|
|
|
54 | (12) |
|
|
|
66 | (9) |
|
|
|
75 | (17) |
|
1 An Ecclesiological Note |
|
|
76 | (5) |
|
|
|
81 | (8) |
|
|
|
89 | (3) |
|
|
|
92 | (7) |
|
|
|
99 | (13) |
|
1 Eileanan Seunta, The Enchanted Isles |
|
|
99 | (8) |
|
2 Garbh Eilean and Eilean an Tigh |
|
|
107 | (5) |
|
|
|
112 | (4) |
|
|
|
116 | (19) |
|
1 A Hundred Years of Decline |
|
|
117 | (7) |
|
|
|
124 | (6) |
|
|
|
130 | (5) |
|
Third Year Flannan Isles -- North Rona -- Eigg |
|
|
|
|
|
135 | (18) |
|
|
|
136 | (8) |
|
2 Flannans Might and Relief Day |
|
|
144 | (9) |
|
|
|
153 | (8) |
|
|
|
161 | (8) |
|
Fourth Year North Uist -- Monach Isles -- St Kilda |
|
|
|
|
|
169 | (11) |
|
|
|
180 | (8) |
|
|
|
188 | (11) |
|
|
|
199 | (18) |
|
|
|
217 | (13) |
|
|
|
217 | (2) |
|
|
|
219 | (5) |
|
|
|
224 | (6) |
|
|
|
230 | (14) |
|
|
|
244 | (11) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
255 | (11) |
|
24 Attempting Ultima Thule |
|
|
266 | (9) |
|
25 `What can be said of it?' |
|
|
275 | (13) |
|
26 The fishing boat Heather |
|
|
288 | (9) |
|
Long Interval Lewis Remembered |
|
|
|
|
|
297 | (22) |
|
Sixth Year The Hebrides Regained |
|
|
|
28 A View of the Shiant Isles |
|
|
319 | (7) |
|
|
|
326 | (19) |
|
Epilogue, A Bird's-Eye View |
|
|
341 | (4) |
| Select Bibliography |
|
345 | (2) |
| Events and Dates, North Rona |
|
347 | (4) |
| Index |
|
351 | |
Robert Atkinson was raised in southern England, but developed a passion for the islands, and just before the middle of the 20th century, unleashed a brand new style of island writing. Filled with energy and vigor, along with fantastic photography, Island Going remains his greatest legacy.
Hamish Haswell-Smith is a retired architect and keen yachtmaster. An accomplished artist, his sketches and paintings have been exhibited in many British and European galleries. He lives in Edinburgh and continues to explore the Scottish Islands.
