Buddy read: A trip through the Scottish Isles

[Carolien]

Wayne and I am embarking on a journey through the Scottish Isles with Samuel Johnson in A Journey to the Western Isles of Scotland and James Boswell's account of the same trip in Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides.

Any one interested in touring Scotland with us, please feel to join below.

[Wayne]

Thanks Carolien. Looking forward and want to add my voice to your invitation to other members to join us. After all, the more the merrier (incidentslly some attribute this proverb to James 1 of Scotland).

[Carolien]

I read and loved The Winter Sea earlier this year and I'm glad to see that one of their early stops is at Slains Castle (Slanes according to Mr Johnson).

[Wayne]

Carolien wrote: "I read and loved The Winter Sea earlier this year and I'm glad to see that one of their early stops is at Slains Castle (Slanes according to Mr Johnson)."

Who knows, maybe in a summer or two you can trace the footsteps of Messrs Johnson and Boswell.

[Carolien]

Mu husband's grandfather was Scottish, so there is a family connection. We're been to parts of Scotland a few times, most recently in 2016 we took the kids to Tobermory on Mull. But I've never been to the eastern part covered in the first part of the book.

[Wayne]

There you go Carolien, covering new ground following old tracks. I just shook my head at Mr. Johnson's unflattering mentioning of filthy Hottentot huts. This man has never been to South Africa so couldn't have seen the insides of those huts to which he so authoritatively refer, might not have been aware that the smallpox epidemic of 1717 was brought to South African shores by European ships.

[Carolien]

Yes, I noticed that. There is another incident at Glenelg where he is not happy to sleep in a bed that had been occupied by a Black man. Which gets me to the more interesting question as to how did this Black man end up up in Glenelg of all places at that time.

[Wayne]

I just arrived at the inn at Glenelg. When I first read your comment I thought that the Black guy slept there some time previously and he was told about it. Turns out the bloke was actually roused from his bed. Good question Carolien. The professor who wrote the introduction must have missed this incident, because he had the following to say about Johnson: "He was committedly on the side of American Indians, Negro slaves, the British poor, and every other underdog he knew."

[Carolien]

Johnson redeems himself somewhat about halfway through when it is clear that he actually understood the impact of poverty on the communities, he writes extensively about how it stunts the local population and influences their lifespan.

[Wayne]

I really liked those reflections. He was also quite critical of the role played by some lairds and their tacksmen in the depopulation of the highlands. I had a giggle at the contestation over the rock which went from worthless geological feature to valuable property because of the kelp. Reminded me of some other instances where this happened. I was further struck by the generosity of the people they met, especially the poor ones on the highlands.

[Wayne]

I Just finished Samuel Johnson's reflections, and I rate it four (4) stars. Now on to Mr. Boswell's journal.

[Carolien]

The man was very observant and logical in his reflections on the size of the local population. I have 2 chapters to go.

[Wayne]

Boswell's journey is a different book from Johnson's. Much more detailed, and it is clear that Boswell held Johnson in high esteem. Not quite the sycophant though, and we are beholden to him for providing us with much more insight into Johnson's character. Johnson is quite opinionated, and not afraid to take contrary positions in a discussion, so Boswell clearly see part of his role as dampening the flames of heated verbal exchanges or where the English lexicographer might give offence. Turns out that there were more Blacks in Scotland than I thought. I diverted to read a bit more about Frances Barber (erroneously called Frank Johnson in the notes), which further illustrates the complex character of Johnson. I smirked a bit at the coincidence of the clergyman's sermon about attaching oneself to greatness, and kudos to Boswell for including it. Slow going at times, but a good read thus far. I am about a quarter of the way through Boswell's Journal.

[Carolien]

I enjoyed the final part of their trip to Mull and Iona where I have been. Iona these days is much cleaner and the ruins better preserved than when they visited by the sounds of it.

On the way back to Edinburgh they stopped at Inverary which is so pretty.

Now let's see how Boswell describes the trip.

[Carolien]

Mr Boswell's trip will be read more leisurely as I try to finish the Mishmash challenge as well.

[Wayne]

Carolien wrote: "Mr Boswell's trip will be read more leisurely as I try to finish the Mishmash challenge as well."

I Have finished mine in a way, but not with the books orifginally planned.

[Wayne]

Meanwhile I have pushed on, and as I mentioned it is a slower read. This is because whereas Johnson's account is on what he has observed with short comments on conversations, Boswell's on the other hand is both about observations and detailed notes on conversations, especially Johnson's contributions.

Interesting section on the escape of Bonnie Prince Charles' escape from Scotland after Culloden, based on discussions of those who aided him. Further reading is required here. Was Boswell a Jacobite at heart? I would also like to read further on White Slavery, or forced labour imposed on Scottish prisoners of war dating back from the 17th century (?).

Giggled a bit at Boswell's amazement that Johnson fantasised about having a harem. Hahahah, how could his hero want to deprive another man of a wife? And how can this intelligent people in their sexist denunciation of the improprieties of women never apportion any blame, or at least acknowledge male partners in such instances. Certainly if the women are accused of committing a crimes, the males are aiding and abetting (read forcing). ;,>).

I leave the travellers at Dunvegan for the time being.

[Wayne]

We have moved on, and now find the travellers on the Isle of Coll after a terrible journey through a storm. Nothing very interesting apart from some passages that affirmed the contrariness of Johnson.

[Wayne]

I have now finished this book.. My overall rating is four stars although I must admit that the last part, after they returned to the mainland, was not as enjoyable as the outward journey. Too much kowtowing from Boswell, I think.

[Carolien]

How would you rate them compared to each other, Wayne?

[Wayne]

I downgraded Johnson's to 3, 5 stars which is the same rating I assign to Boswell. Johnson's is the shorter read, and clear, but a bit light on the descriptive side. Boswell's much more detailed, but because he was interested in Johnson (basically gathering material for a later book), also covered a lot of ground on material that I found less relevant.

[Carolien]

I'm still at the section where Boswell has a go at Edmund Burke which goes on a for quite a bit. I have to admit that it is interesting to read about persons who figured as historical persons in my history of economics courses and realise that they were human after all!