To the Hebrides: Samuel Johnson's Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland and James Boswell's Journal of a Tour to the HebridesSamuel Johnson and James Boswell spent the autumn of 1773 touring through the Lowlands and Highlands of Scotland as far west as the islands of Skye, Raasay, Coll, Mull, Inchkenneth and Iona. Both kept detailed notes of their impressions, and later published separate accounts of their journey. These works contain some of the finest pieces of travel writing ever produced: they are also magnificent historical documents as well as portraits of two extraordinary men of letters. Together they paint a vivid picture of a society which was still almost unknown to the Europe of the Enlightenment. Entertaining, profound, and marvellously readable, they are a valuable chronicle of a lost age and a fascinating people. For the first time, Ronald Black's edition brings together Johnson's and Boswell's accounts of each of the six stages of the two men's journey - Lowlands, Skye, Coll, Mull and back to the mainland. Illustrated with prints by Thomas Rowlandson, it includes a critical introduction, translations of the Latin texts and brief notes. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Aberdeen ancient appearance believe boat Boswell Boswell's account Boswell's note Tour breakfast called Campbell castle cave chapel chief church clan Coirechatachan conversation Crossapol daughter dinner Donald Dr Johnson Dunvegan Earse Edinburgh England English entertained Erse father Flora Macdonald Fort Augustus Gaelic gentleman heard Hebrides Highland honour horses Icolmkill Inchkenneth inhabitants Inverness Iona island Isle James James Boswell John journal journey kind Kingsburgh Lady Laird land Latin letter lived Loch Loch Bracadale Lochbuie London Lord Lord Monboddo Macdonald Mackinnon Maclean MacLeod Macqueen Malcolm mentioned miles mind minister Mull never night observed paragraph perhaps pleased Portree Pottle and Bennett Prince Raasay rock Samuel Johnson Scotland Scots sentence servant Sir Alexander Sir Allan Skye stone suppose tacksman Talisker talked tenants thought told took Ullinish walked words write young Coll