Skip to product information
The Truth About St. Kilda
£5.99
The Truth About St. Kilda—An Islander's Memoir
An islander's first-hand memoir of life on remote St Kilda
Access Your Content in Seconds
- Complete your purchase on our store.
- Download The Grey Hill App (free).
- Log in using the same email from checkout.
- Your ebook will appear instantly in your library.
All content is securely delivered through our app and not offered as a Shopify download.
About the Ebook
The Truth about St Kilda is a unique record of the isolated way of life on St Kilda in the early part of the twentieth century, based on seven handwritten notebooks written by the Rev. Donald Gillies, containing reminiscences of his childhood on the island of Hirta. It provides a first-hand account of the living conditions, social structure and economy of the community in the early 1900s, before the evacuation of the remaining residents in 1930. The memoirs describe in some detail the St Kildans' way of life, including religious life and the islanders' diet.
The puritanical form of religion practised on St Kilda has often been interpreted by outsiders as austere and draconian, but Gillies' account of the islanders' religious practices makes clear the important role that these had in reinforcing the spiritual stamina of the community. This book is a lasting tribute to the adaptability and courage of a small Gaelic-speaking society which endured through two millennia on a remote cluster of islands, until its way of life could no longer be sustained.
Why You'll Love This Ebook
- Discover a first-hand memoir of life on remote St Kilda
- Explore island memory written by someone who lived it
- Engage with an authentic and moving personal account
- Read another celebrated title from Origin - an imprint of Birlinn Ltd
About the Author
The Rev. Donald John Gillies was born on St Kilda in 1901. He left in 1924 and subsequently moved to Nova Scotia. In his later years he travelled widely and maintained close contacts with the surviving inhabitants of St Kilda. In August 1980 he returned to St Kilda for the rededication of the recently restored church on the 50th anniversary of the evacuation of the island and preached the sermon in the service to celebrate that occasion. He died in Vancouver in 1994.John Randall has been Chairman of The Islands Book Trust since 2002 and has edited and published many books on the history of Scottish islands, including St Kilda. He is co-author of St Kilda - Myth and Reality.Publication Details
Publisher: Origin (an imprint of Birlinn Ltd)
Publication Date: 05 July 2017
Print Length: 192 pages (Ebook edition)
ISBN (Ebook): 9780857909794
Format: Ebook
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access my ebook?
Download The Grey Hill App and log in using the same email you used at checkout. Your ebook will appear instantly in your library.
Can I read it online?
Yes — you can also access your purchases via our online reader at reader.thegreyhill.com.
I can't see my ebook — what should I do?
Tap the refresh button in the app or online reader. If it still doesn't appear, ensure you're logged in with the same email used at checkout. If issues continue, contact us and we'll help right away.
Can I gift this ebook?
Yes — you can purchase a Grey Hill Gift Card here: Buy a Gift Card. The recipient can redeem it on our store, and the ebook will appear in The Grey Hill App.