The Kerracher Man

by Eric MacLeod

Over 40 years ago, Eric and Ruth MacLeod took themselves and their two small daughters off to an abandoned croft house in the remotest quarter of the Scottish West Highlands. Rocky and windswept, it was an unlikely Eden. Here they remained for sixteen years, reconstructing the building and making a home, learning to shear and attending creels, introducing electricity and running small businesses. They made a life that included the wild creatures of moor and shore, accommodation with the unpredictable sea, and the friendship of many great characters. Their story played out in a landscape of hills and coast, a place of incomparable beauty that remains unspoiled to this day.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

308 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

Reviews

[Kenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read. I've huge respect for the MacLeod family, who returned to Eric's dad's croft in the mid-70s to live there with his wife and two young children. This is their story, in a series of shortish snippets on daily life, and some more memorable stories. It's well written, and what strikes is the clear difference between this book and more contemporary types - it was never intended to be a book. So MacLeod recounts their 15 years there (they decided to move when the economy went down in the late 80s). Nice, escapism, and with his openness and clear efforts to make it work, learning lots of skills not normally associated with an accountant he comes across as a thoroughly good guy (in fact he probably underplays things, which made me like it more. So where a modern author would stick out six months in the hope of a book, and dwell on every possible relative discomfort, it's about every fifty pages or so that you get a little bit of an aside like "and then the electricity was installed" - understated. Very good.

[Chris Steeden · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked about this book, other than being a very easy and quick read, was that you didn't have the whole book of the author moaning. You share in his enthusiasm for the many projects. In-fact I believe a lot of the notable achievements are under-played.

The stories are fairly short and succinct but make a nice whole as you get to know the area, terrain, weather, house, locals etc and live the life with the family.

[Sarah Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant slice of such an interesting family life. I didn't realise that it was about life in the 60s/70s when I bought it but that added more interesting elements into the things happening to the family, as they didn't have access to a lot of things that even now we take for granted - wireless internet that works in remote locations to name but one!

Really well written and with a sense of humour.

(The only thing that troubled me was the throwing of any and all rubbish into the loch! including chemical toilet waste - into the water that provides the fish and shellfish that the family eat and sell - surely that can't be healthy for the environment?)

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir recounting the time that Eric Macleod moved with his wife and two young daughters to a remote croft in north – west Sutherland. It documents the struggles they had to renovate the almost derelict house and to make a living being so isolated. The house was not accessible by road and had to be accessed mainly by boat. It’s a testament to their ingenuity and determination to make a go of it. From accounting to fish farming Eric is prepared to turn his hand to a variety of jobs. Fish farming certainly seemed the most difficult as they had to battle with the elements at times. Written with great candour, it’s an intriguing look at a very different lifestyle

[Eilidh Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable tale of trying to make a go of it in the Highlands, remote, rural and very real thanks to Eric's descriptions which are full of humility for the steep learning curve he took his family on and the successes and failures en route. I liked how he didn't overdo the explanation of his experiences - highs and lows were treated with the same tone of it all being part of the adventure of living, or muddling as best anyone can through.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1976, Eric MacLeod left his life as an accountant behind and relocated himself and his young family to a remote croft in the West Highlands which had been owned by his ancestors, and which can only be accessed by boat or by walking. This book tells of the 16 years they spent on the croft, of the many challenges they faced in making it habitable and of their efforts to make a living.

I really enjoyed this book - so many 'self sufficiency' biographies either gloss over the problems or complain endlessly about them, but MacLeod does neither. While fairly clueless at the start, he was prepared to put in a lot of hard work, as well as learning from local people. And he combines gratitude for the privilege of living at Kerracher with a realistic approach to the many difficulties their life entailed. Although I suspect his boundless enthusiasm could have been irritating for his family at times - more than once, he is cheerfully talking about the 'adventure' of sailing while his poor seasick passengers are being flung about the boat by the storm! I did love the way the whole family were so enthusiastic about finally having electricity at the croft, and how they say that, even now, they still don't take having it for granted.

Towards the end, the narrative did start to become a bit repetitive and I felt it could have benefited from firmer editing. I also think it would have made the book more interesting if some photographs had been included. But overall, this was still a really good read - 4.5 stars really, just doesn't quite make 5 stars. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys positive and realistic accounts of life off grid or in remote locations. The 2007 edition has an additional chapter which describes what happens to the family, and to Kerracher, after they left.

[nursetka Pi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read, quick but some chapters were a bit boring. Really interesting to learn about up and downs living in very isolated place. I have always had an interest in reading about remote life and almost all accounts are sugarcoated. I liked how he balanced his story so I could make up my mind of what is like to live in the remote part of Scotland.
I concluded that it is absolutely not for me and I wouldnt like to raise my kids without running water or flushing toilet! It was just too extreme. Very eye opening book. Recommend

[Elaine Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual book choice but this truly blew me away. The fact that it is based on one family's true life story made it all the more interesting. Fantastic account of the highs and lows of living on a remote Scottish island with a young family. I never ceased to be amazed at the self-sufficiencys and upskilling the family all had to do just to live day to day. Loved it!!!

[linda howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book - I know grown up Ruthie and it made it even more interesting obviously, but even if I didn’t it would make no difference to how I rated it. Such easy reading as though listening to the story being told. It sounds both an idyllic but hardworking childhood to this Southern Softie.

[Carol Lawrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read about living a remote life. Full of challenges but also lots of love and laughter.
Sadly the book was printed wrong so I only got to read the last half ( twice if I wanted to)
Will check page numbers before I buy books again.

[Rod Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly engaging

A fascinating insight into life in the Highlands in a remote croft, along with a great lesson on fish farming. Thoroughly engaging.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love loved this book ❤️

[Steve Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Briliant book enjoyed every page,wasn't ready for the end.

[Morag · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, too many animals dying for comfortable reading.

[Mark waite · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting view of life in a remote highland setting in the 70s and 80s

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an insightful and interesting story. Life definitely was an adventure. What a wonderful experience but with harsh realities. I felt quite sad when they left the island, so many memories.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the intriguing account of a couple who take their two young daughters with them to live & work an almost inaccessible croft on the North West coast of Scotland. It is the story of them renovating a near 100 year old derelict croft house, their successes & failures but overall, 15 years of incredible determination to eek out a living & survive while battling daily against the weather & the waves & of course the odds. I enjoyed the read as it reminded me of the many happy years I lived & worked on the west coast but it left me with the same feeling of melancholy I experience when I revisit the places of my Highland childhood.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring and motivating. Easy to read. Has moments that seem slightly dull balanced with some humour however the concept and writing are enjoyable. If you're interested in rugged Scotland or house renovation give it a go! I've passed this on to many different people who've also enjoyed it .

[Nick Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy and enjoyable read. Not much story-telling but a nice account of their crofting adventure.

[Stoic_quin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting & well written account of the difficulties in trying to survive on a remote part of the country in the seventies.

[George Bowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jumps around a bit but generally a very good read.