Description
Discover the intriguing cultural landscape of Scotland with this captivating book on coffin roads. These ancient paths, historically used to carry bodies for burial, weave through the picturesque Scottish Highlands and islands. The narrative takes you on a journey along eight significant coffin roads, diving deep into the unique traditions, beliefs, and practices surrounding death and mourning in the communities that shaped them. From the iconic Kilmartin Valley to the historic Street of the Dead on Iona, this book explores each location with reverence and insight. You'll learn about Kilearnadil Graveyard in Jura, known for its serene beauty, and the evocative coffin road from Morvern to Keil Church. Additionally, it highlights the Green Isle on Loch Shiel, the oldest continuously used burial site in Europe, and the moving story of the 'piper’s cairn' on Eigg. As societies evolve, the essential topics of dying and mourning can sometimes be overlooked; however, this book presents the West Highland and Hebridean approaches to these themes and suggests they hold vital wisdom for today’s world. Perfect for readers interested in Scottish history, cultural anthropology, or simply seeking unique walking routes, this book is a must-have. **With free shipping and a delivery timeframe of up to 6 weeks, don't miss your chance to explore the rich tapestry of life, death, and burial customs through the lens of these ancient paths.**
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781780277790
Format: B-format paperback
Year: 2022
Publisher: Birlinn
Description:
'Coffin roads' along which bodies were carried for burial are a marked feature of the landscape of the Scottish Highlands and islands – many are now popular walking and cycling routes. This book journeys along eight coffin roads to discover and explore the distinctive traditions, beliefs and practices around dying, death and mourning in the communities which created and used them.
The result is a fascinating snapshot into place and culture. After more than a century when death was very much a taboo subject, this book argues that aspects of the distinctive West Highland and Hebridean way of death and approach to dying and mourning may have something helpful and important to offer to us today.
Routes covered in this book are:
The Kilmartin Valley – the archetypal coffin road in this ritual landscape of the dead.
The Street of the Dead on Iona – perhaps the best known coffin road in Scotland.
Kilearnadil Graveyard, Jura – a perfect example of a Hebridean graveyard.
The coffin road through Morvern to Keil Church, Lochaline - among the best defined and most evocative coffin roads today.
The Green Isle, Loch Shiel, Ardnamurchan - the oldest continuously used burial place anywhere in Europe.
The coffin road on Eigg – with its distinctive â€piper’s cairn’ where the coffin of Donald MacQuarrie, the 'Great Piper of Eigg', was rested.
The coffin road from Traigh Losgaintir to Loch Stocinis on Harris - popular with walkers and taken as the title for a best-selling thriller by Peter May.
The coffin road on Barra – A detailed study of burial practices on Barra in the early 1950
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781780277790
Format: B-format paperback
Year: 2022
Publisher: Birlinn
Description:
'Coffin roads' along which bodies were carried for burial are a marked feature of the landscape of the Scottish Highlands and islands – many are now popular walking and cycling routes. This book journeys along eight coffin roads to discover and explore the distinctive traditions, beliefs and practices around dying, death and mourning in the communities which created and used them.
The result is a fascinating snapshot into place and culture. After more than a century when death was very much a taboo subject, this book argues that aspects of the distinctive West Highland and Hebridean way of death and approach to dying and mourning may have something helpful and important to offer to us today.
Routes covered in this book are:
The Kilmartin Valley – the archetypal coffin road in this ritual landscape of the dead.
The Street of the Dead on Iona – perhaps the best known coffin road in Scotland.
Kilearnadil Graveyard, Jura – a perfect example of a Hebridean graveyard.
The coffin road through Morvern to Keil Church, Lochaline - among the best defined and most evocative coffin roads today.
The Green Isle, Loch Shiel, Ardnamurchan - the oldest continuously used burial place anywhere in Europe.
The coffin road on Eigg – with its distinctive â€piper’s cairn’ where the coffin of Donald MacQuarrie, the 'Great Piper of Eigg', was rested.
The coffin road from Traigh Losgaintir to Loch Stocinis on Harris - popular with walkers and taken as the title for a best-selling thriller by Peter May.
The coffin road on Barra – A detailed study of burial practices on Barra in the early 1950