The Coffin Roads

The Coffin Roads—Journeys to the West

Ancient pathways connecting Scotland's Highlands to the sea

About the Ebook

'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 '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 1950s provides a fascinating record of Hebridean attitudes to dying, death and mourning.

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• Journey along forgotten routes that shaped Highland communities
• Discover the history embedded in Scotland's ancient landscape
• Explore how geography and tradition intertwine in Highland life
• Read another celebrated title from Birlinn Ltd - Independent Scottish Publisher

Reviews

'Explores how the old beliefs and customs around death could help us cope with dying and grief more than the modern, more sanitised approach' Sunday Post

'An excellent new book — shows the importance of landscape in shaping the life of a nation' Vivien Martin, BBC Radio 4

'Bradley brings each route to life with first-hand accounts and well-researched insights drawn from historical records' Life and Work

'A well-written, thought-provoking and interesting book — recommended to anyone wishing to broaden their understanding of the culture of the western Highlands and the Hebrides' Undiscovered Scotland

'A thoughtful walk through memories of long-held Highland burial customs' Scotland on Sunday

About the Author

Ian Bradley has written over 40 books and is well-known as a  broadcaster, journalist and lecturer. He is also a Church of Scotland minister and a respected academic whose enthusiasm shines through in all that he does.

Publication Details

Publisher: Birlinn Ltd

Publication Date: 07 July 2022

Print Length: 192 pages (Ebook edition)

ISBN (Ebook): 9781788855082

Format: Ebook

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