Against the Wind: An Orkney Idyll

by Douglas Sutherland

1st NEL 1974 edition paperback. vg condition. In stock shipped from our UK warehouse

Genres: Travel

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

Reviews

[Kate MacRitchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating insights into the social history, lore and general make-up of the Orkney Islands. The author's boyhood reminisces were the strongest part - authentic and wondrous at the same time.

Further in, some personal comments by the author spoiled my enjoyment - chief among them that the Gaelic speaking islands weren't as forward thinking as the northern isles because they clung to their native tongue. Considering that once upon a time a government sanctioned campaign existed to eradicate the 'barbarous Irish tongue', and that school children were beaten for speaking Gaelic in the playground, this comment was wildly ignorant.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A DELIGHTFUL story of life on one of the Orkney Islands, north of Scotland. It starts out when he lived there as a boy and then returns as an adult with his family.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

I really enjoyed this varied tale of the Orkneys. I especially liked the part where he camped out on a smaller isle for a while, and the tales of lighthouses and island life