Skip to product information
The Winter Whale
£7.99
The Winter Whale
A season among whales — Jim Crumley at his most poetic and observant
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
In late November, 1893, a humpback whale - as rare a sight in the North Sea then as it would be now - followed herring shoals into the Tay estuary, and travelled as far upstream as Dundee docks to linger in the home waters of the biggest whaling fleet in Britain, and one of the biggest in Europe. The whale became an instant celebrity, known simply as the Monster, but a handful of boats were launched to try and catch it. The hunt was farcical, protracted, and ultimately grotesque - the whale remained elusive for four weeks before towing six vessels out past the Bell Rock lighthouse. All the lines parted in building seas and the whale escaped, but it was mortally wounded and was found floating off Stonehaven on January 6, bristling with ironmongery.
After a public auction was held for the corpse, the whale was hauled to Dundee. The public was charged sixpence or a shilling to see it, special trains were run from all over Angus, Perthshire and Fife, and for three shillings they could have their photograph taken sitting at a table inside the whale's propped open mouth.
The whale was immortalised by the poetry of William McGonagall and went on tour by train on a specially built cradle to Aberdeen, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, London and Edinburgh, before returning to Dundee. Its skeleton was presented to Dundee Museum, despite lucrative offers from big museums in London, Europe and America. The Winter Whale is a remarkable historical set piece, a product of its time, although even then public opinion was divided between glee and outrage, pro-whaler and pro-whale.
Why You'll Love This Ebook
- Experience nature writing of rare lyrical beauty and observational skill
- Discover the secret lives of whales in Scottish coastal waters
- Explore a season of wild encounters from one of Scotland's finest nature writers
- Read another celebrated title from Birlinn Ltd - Independent Scottish Publisher
About the Author
Jim Crumley was born and grew up in Dundee, and now lives in Stirlingshire. He has written over twenty books including The Great Wood and The Winter Whale, and has made documentaries for BBC Radio 4, Radio Scotland and Wildlife on One.Publication Details
Publisher: Birlinn Ltd
Publication Date: 10 December 2012
Print Length: 232 pages (Ebook edition)
ISBN (Ebook): 9780857905574
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.