A Swedish Field Trip to the Outer Hebrides, 1934

Sven T Kjellberg, Director of Goteborgs Historiska Museum (now called the Goteborgs Stadsmuseum), and his assistant Olof Hasslof travelled through the islands of the Outer Hebrides in 1934 for research into the maritime culture of the area, with the emphasis on material culture - the boats, the tools of the trade. Renowned ethnologist Professor Emeritus Alexander Fenton presents the research with additional material of his own. A key feature of the book are the 80 sepia photographs and 35 line drawings published here for the first time.

' ... These are living homes. There is white sand scattered on the floor. There are dressers with crockery by the wall. Kettles and griddles hang from links and hooks above the central fire of stacked peats. Black cats and dogs huddle as close as possible to the low flames. ...' West Highland Free Press ' ... Along with a fascinating photo-record of island life, they made sketches and plans of everything from peat-spades to pothooks, from barns to boxbeds. ... it bespeaks their unquestioning respect for the way of life they found; a respect it's hard not to share as we peer through this window on to a vanished age.' Scotsman ' ... This is a fairly specialised book, but a beautifully produced one that draws the more casual reader in with its wonderful photographs and fascinating drawings. ... a hugely enlightening read.' Undiscovered Scotland ' ... In their travels, they discovered a culture and people little affected by the homogenised, secular ways of the modern world.' Country Life ' ... a wonderful illustration of a life that has virtually disappeared. ... The diary goes into great detail about the houses visited and the lifestyle of the crofters ... The photographs of the islanders and their buildings are quite remarkable.' Scottish Life 'As the book represents the first systematic ethnological field research among the coastal population of the Outer Hebrides, it has great documentary value, and for scholars dealing with coastal culture in fishing communities there will be valuable information available in this book.' International Journal of Maritime History ' ... another notable legacy of his [Professor Sandy Fenton's] international interests and scholarship.' Review of Scottish Culture

Professor Emeritus Alexander Fenton CBE has been Director of the School of Scottish Studies in the University of Edinburgh, and of the European Ethnological Research Centre for which he is now a consultant. He is acknowledged as Scotland's leading expert on rural life.

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