Essential books for the Western Isles?

[JumbleDuck]

Aha! Good question. He played the bearded master of the Cabinet Minister. You only get a brief view of him as she rams the Gobha, or whatever rock it was -- quite recognisable though, with his goatee beard a little longer than usual.

There were quite a few actors in that film who were to become well-known in later years -- I can recall John Gregson, James Robertson Justice, and Gordon Jackson off the top of my head.

10/10.

If you like Whisky Galore, it's well worth getting hold of a copy of Laxdale Hall, a near-contemporary wee gem of a film about the residents of the remote village of Laxdale (Applecross) refusing to pay their road tax because the only road there is in terrible condition. Many well know actors there, including a rather sweet romance between Prunella Scales ("Basil!") and Fulton Mackay ("Fletcher!") in there first film roles.

I completely agree with you about Compton Mackenzie.

 

[afterpegassus]

10/10.

Whiskey [/I]

cough,cough.

 

[JumbleDuck]

cough,cough.

I don't know what you're talking about.

 

[jdc]

Does this mean that I'm now allowed a smiley, rather than a sarky, for suggesting "Whisky Galore"?

 

[Tryweryn]

Spot on he was Capt of the Politician in the film.

Aha! Good question. He played the bearded master of the Cabinet Minister. You only get a brief view of him as she rams the Gobha, or whatever rock it was -- quite recognisable though, with his goatee beard a little longer than usual.

There were quite a few actors in that film who were to become well-known in later years -- I can recall John Gregson, James Robertson Justice, and Gordon Jackson off the top of my head.

Mackenzie was a very great writer and, I think, a great man.

Mike

 

[Tryweryn]

The follow up to WG was Rockets Galore with R Corbett on Barra again....not as good.

 

[JumbleDuck]

The follow up to WG was Rockets Galore with R Corbett on Barra again....not as good.

It's been a long time since I read it, but as I recall Compton Mackenzie was, by the time he wrote Rockets Galore, rather disillusioned with the Hebridean islanders who, he thought, would sell off anything, destroying the islands and their culture, if offered some money. It's not at all the jolly romp of Uisge Galore.

 

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

Well, not to drift the OP's thread too much, but since there are clearly a number of Mackenzie fans here, and assuming you haven't seen this already, here's a photo of the chair he used to write in --

Isn't it a beauty?

Mike

PS I might add that as a Ransome fan from way back as well, it was nice to see the reference to 'Great Northern?' earlier too.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Well, not to drift the OP's thread too much, but since there are clearly a number of Mackenzie fans here, and assuming you haven't seen this already, here's a photo of the chair he used to write in --

Isn't it a beauty?

That calls out for a smoking jacket and an embroidered velvet cap with tassel.

 

[daviddb]

snipping<<That calls out for a smoking jacket and an embroidered velvet cap with tassel.>> snipped

Well I already have the jacket and cap; with that magnificent chair to complete the set I'd just be looking for a fine motor-sailor within which to install them....

 

[afterpegassus]

I don't know what you're talking about.

Do I have to spell it out?

As far as I'm aware, none of the Irish stuff came ashore on Todday;

and as someone introduced the gaelic word for water into the thread, the word "galore" is actually a corruption of the gaelic term for plenty "gu leor"

 

[macd]

Do I have to spell it out?

No, but I'm afraid someone else has to do so to you. Read post #41 again, paying particular attention to the spelling of a well-known amber pick-me-up, and to the reason for editing at the bottom. Then look up and whistle
Mmm...whistles galore. Good title for a book. Almost.

 

[afterpegassus]

No, but I'm afraid someone else has to do so to you. Read post #41 again, paying particular attention to the spelling of a well-known amber pick-me-up, and to the reason for editing at the bottom. Then look up and whistle
Mmm...whistles galore. Good title for a book. Almost.

ah yes - some after the event editing I see. Interesting timings.

 

[Tryweryn]

lol Compton still loved the place he is buried on Barra.

 

[JumbleDuck]

ah yes - some after the event editing I see. Interesting timings.

I'm still looking into the air and whistling innocently.

 

[Tryweryn]

A good friend of mine, Richard Clubley, has written a book about Scotland's islands that may prove useful and interesting to you.

http://www.luath.co.uk/scotlands-islands.html

A review - http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usreviews/books/luathislands.html



Graham

Bought the book......and 20 others.

 

[TQA]

I may have missed her name but as far as I can see no one has mentioned the series by Lilian Beckwith. OK dated now and no sailing but funny and a good picture of island life in the 50s. Easy reading.

Skye series[edit]
1959 - The Hills is Lonely — Chapter 1, Review
1961 - The Sea for Breakfast — Chapter 1
1964 - The Loud Halo Chapter 1
(The above titles were published collectively in A Hebridean Omnibus, 1987)

1968 - A Rope - In Case — Chapter 1 [2]
1973 - Lightly Poached — Chapter 1 [2]
1976 - Beautiful Just! — Chapter 1
(The above titles were published collectively in A Second Hebridean Omnibus, 1991)

1978 - Bruach Blend — Chapter 1, Review
Al

Wikipedia