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Scottish Seas
Follow the fears and triumphs of Mac Ayton, a young Scottish farm boy in 1707, striving to grow strong amid clashes with the sea, banditry, myths, animals, and brothers. Set in and around the colorful fishing village of Auchmithie-located on the rugged east coast of Scotland-Mac and the rest of his family live a life full of laughter, faith, and wrestling.
150 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 1997
2 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Douglas M. Jones III
18 books32 followersDouglas Jones holds a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of California, Irvine, and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Southern California.
Former senior editor of Credenda/Agenda and editor of Canon Press, he has taught philosophy at New Saint Andrews College and the University of Idaho, both in Moscow, Idaho, and Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho.
Among Jones's many writing credits are three children's books, Huguenot Garden, Scottish Seas, and Dutch Color, and contributions to Back to Basics: Rediscovering the Richness of the Reformed Faith, Repairing the Ruins: The Classical and Christian Challenge to Modern Education, Bound Only Once: The Failure of Open Theism. He co-authored Angels in the Architecture with Douglas Wilson.
Jones's scholarship and short creative writing credits include "Reading Trees," a review of Thomas Campanella's Republic of Shade: New England and the American Elm, in Books and Culture: A Christian Review, September/October 2003 and "Coverings," a poem in the Spring/Summer 2004 issue of Valparaiso Poetry Review. Jones contributed numerous pieces to Credenda/Agenda, including the volume 14, issue 4 cover article, "Just Wood," which was anthologized in Best Christian Writing 2004. He has also written several short plays, including "University Cafe," which was selected as a finalist for the 2005 Theatre Publicus Prize for Dramatic Literature.
Former senior editor of Credenda/Agenda and editor of Canon Press, he has taught philosophy at New Saint Andrews College and the University of Idaho, both in Moscow, Idaho, and Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho.
Among Jones's many writing credits are three children's books, Huguenot Garden, Scottish Seas, and Dutch Color, and contributions to Back to Basics: Rediscovering the Richness of the Reformed Faith, Repairing the Ruins: The Classical and Christian Challenge to Modern Education, Bound Only Once: The Failure of Open Theism. He co-authored Angels in the Architecture with Douglas Wilson.
Jones's scholarship and short creative writing credits include "Reading Trees," a review of Thomas Campanella's Republic of Shade: New England and the American Elm, in Books and Culture: A Christian Review, September/October 2003 and "Coverings," a poem in the Spring/Summer 2004 issue of Valparaiso Poetry Review. Jones contributed numerous pieces to Credenda/Agenda, including the volume 14, issue 4 cover article, "Just Wood," which was anthologized in Best Christian Writing 2004. He has also written several short plays, including "University Cafe," which was selected as a finalist for the 2005 Theatre Publicus Prize for Dramatic Literature.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 18, 2008
Please read this, if only to learn how to properly teach children the answer to, "What is Justification?" This is one of my top ten favorites.
February 13, 2023
Loved this! Feels just as good for me as the boys. A great adventure for them and a parenting stories for me.
December 30, 2015
It was enjoyable reading this book to my 4yo son. While some parts would get a little slow, the majority of it was pleasant. It follows the life of a 4yo boy named Mac, who lives in a Protestant Christian family in Scotland during the 1700s. It provides a good example of how a Christian family handles various situations and how Mac learns boldness. It's a useful book to bring about conversations on various topics, such as:
Interview w/ 4yo son after having read the book:
How much did you like it? I liked it a lot.
What did you think about it? I thought it was pretty good.
What did this book teach us? It taught us that we should man up and it taught us to rescue people if they need help rescuing.
What was your favorite part? When Mac was feeding the puffin and giving it puffin food.
Anything else? And I think my friends should read Scottish Seas.
Interview w/ 4yo son after having read the book:
How much did you like it? I liked it a lot.
What did you think about it? I thought it was pretty good.
What did this book teach us? It taught us that we should man up and it taught us to rescue people if they need help rescuing.
What was your favorite part? When Mac was feeding the puffin and giving it puffin food.
Anything else? And I think my friends should read Scottish Seas.
December 22, 2022
I like this one.
It's too bad the earlier recording with a Scottish narrator couldn't be rescued, but this one was fine. Only disappointment was that she didn't sing Psalm 72.
It's too bad the earlier recording with a Scottish narrator couldn't be rescued, but this one was fine. Only disappointment was that she didn't sing Psalm 72.
June 8, 2013
I have been privileged to read this book aloud to my 8yr old brother. We really enjoyed walking through the story together.
The story is at heart a simple one of a young boy growing in courage and understanding. He likes to take his clothes off, wrestles with his brothers, and is scared of ghosts.
Throughout the story, his family shows love, courage, and wholesome relationships. As the Mac loves to listen to stories about Scotland's history (particularly the battle in which Grandfather lost his eye), I had many opportunities to talk with my brother about the mighty conflict between "King and Kirk." Their belief in God and His Word is deep and real. While it is rarely discussed, what is there is very good and spurred a couple good conversations with my brother and I.
While parts of the story are very sad, they are fitting because life does have its sad and hard moments.
In the end, Mac goes to the cliff by himself to breathe the sea air. He has not only learned to make a poem, but to appreciate all the beauty in the earth and relationships.
The story is at heart a simple one of a young boy growing in courage and understanding. He likes to take his clothes off, wrestles with his brothers, and is scared of ghosts.
Throughout the story, his family shows love, courage, and wholesome relationships. As the Mac loves to listen to stories about Scotland's history (particularly the battle in which Grandfather lost his eye), I had many opportunities to talk with my brother about the mighty conflict between "King and Kirk." Their belief in God and His Word is deep and real. While it is rarely discussed, what is there is very good and spurred a couple good conversations with my brother and I.
While parts of the story are very sad, they are fitting because life does have its sad and hard moments.
In the end, Mac goes to the cliff by himself to breathe the sea air. He has not only learned to make a poem, but to appreciate all the beauty in the earth and relationships.
September 24, 2007
This book makes a great read-aloud! Having been written by an elder of a church in the same denomination is mine, I find the like-mindedness of the theology refreshing. The Chatechism Nelson scene (What is Justification?) is priceless, the relationships of the family are so real, and the characters so vivid (you know how I like my characters) that it makes for a first-rate story. Definitely a favorite!
March 11, 2021
This has been on our shelf for awhile but hadn't read it. My youngest had it as assigned reading this year while studying the middle ages/renaissance/reformation time period.
I'm sad that we didn't read it sooner! Some great history tid-bits, family, faith, and character growth are all highlighted in this book. Makes me excited to read other titles we have on our shelves by this author. It was encouraging when a veteran homeschooling mom commented it was a family favorite. So good, especially if you have boys. I have all girls and my youngest (9) loved it.
I'm sad that we didn't read it sooner! Some great history tid-bits, family, faith, and character growth are all highlighted in this book. Makes me excited to read other titles we have on our shelves by this author. It was encouraging when a veteran homeschooling mom commented it was a family favorite. So good, especially if you have boys. I have all girls and my youngest (9) loved it.
August 16, 2020
Weird. Very weird. The main character is a child. At one point he is kidnapped and witnesses the deaths of three people. How does he react? Just goes on living. There are frequent mentions of wrestling with his brothers and dad and being pinched by family. All of this with Scottish history, catechism, and poetry?
May 8, 2024
I read this with my 8 year old as part of her curriculum. It has a great amount of adventure, just a dash of romance (*That* was the larger catechism! Is now a catchphrase at my house. lol), plenty of good lessons, a strong father figure, a strong, beautiful mother figure, a tad real life sadness, and a great ending. It’s everything you could want in a child’s book.
May 18, 2019
A heart-warming story any age can enjoy. The interactions between the Ayton family of Scotland were endearing; filled with practical jokes and lighthearted fun from one to another. I found myself smiling and chuckling along many times. Loved it!
December 15, 2022
Not very good, honestly.
April 21, 2023
Pretty good.
February 24, 2025
Heard it read in college. Just read it to my kids. All had a good laugh. A sweet story with adventure and sweet family interactions.
July 26, 2011
My mom read this book out loud to all of us twice in one year. We all (boys and girls from 6-18 years old) LOVED this book. It is written from the 4 or 5 year old little brothers' point of view and is written in a very adorable way.
February 22, 2013
Really good book for boys, danger, thieves, strong father/mother, good old Scottish ways, catechisms ( redundant?), suspense, cowardly pastor who gets a little redemption, puffins, witches..very enjoyable. 2nd of Jones' books of this kind we've read.
January 22, 2009
Actually I just finished the audio series - It is a great book and the fact that it is read with real Scottish brogue makes it a great way to experience this work!
March 15, 2011
Cute book about the adventures of 4 year old Mac's family and community. I want a tammie :D
June 2, 2012
I am judging this book harshly because Jones is such a talented writer. The plot seemed hurried and there was the unnecessary scene of throwing the cat off of the cliff!
November 22, 2013
Love Douglas Jones' historical fiction for young people. Great addition to our history studies. I agree with others' comments that the story is a little rushed.
October 12, 2014
Good adventure book for boys.
October 11, 2019
Read years ago to boys (seems best about ages 8 and up). Re-reading to girls. Nice to combine with history studies.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews