The Scots: A Photohistory [Hardcover]

Murray MacKinnon (Author), Richard Oram (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 2003

Following its invention in 1839, a craze for photography ripped through Scotland, and over the next 100 years Scottish photographers captured an impressive visual record of their land and its people, their mixed fortunes, hopes and aspirations. Their achievements document a century of profound contrasts, of division, upheaval and change that recast forever the character of Scotland. This volume presents the triumphs of a self-confident Scotland - the completion of the Forth Bridge and the stream of vessels that slid down the slipways of the Clyde to bind together a far-flung empire - but also its injustices, the story of the rural and urban poor, and the Clearances that drove people from the land to seek work in the cities or new hope in emigration to the New World. Gordon Highlanders drinking whisky from enamel buckets in the New Year celebrations of 1890; the caves of Staffa and their association with the mythical Celtic hero, Finigal; the grandeur of Edinburgh Catle; a portrait of John Logie Baird, Scottish scientist-hero and inventor of the television; the golfers of Scotscraig a mere decade after the invention of photography; or salmon fishing in the Ness Islands - this visual history brings the country to life not only for those of Scottish descent but for everyone who has enjoyed the rich character and landscape of this nation.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

MacKinnon and Oram's collection of photographs taken in the camera's early years is at once a history of a place, a people and an era. The 1839 invention of photography piqued many Scots' interest, and they set to work documenting their country and its inhabitants. Scotland native MacKinnon and History Scotland managing editor Oram present readers with 236 images, most of which were taken in the late 19th century. The sepia-toned and black-and-white images depict, among other things, coastal and rural life, Edinburgh street scenes, factory working conditions, and leisure activities, such as rugby and beachgoing. The variety of photographs-portraits, landscapes and candid shots of Scots going about their everyday lives-paired with the enlightening captions, which often explain the photographs' circumstances or significance, make this an informative and engrossing work for anyone interested in the northern isle.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Murray MacKinnon's long love affair with photography and what it reveals about his native Scotland goes back over forty years to his first purchase of a vintage camera and photo album in a Glasgow auction room. Richard Oram's publications include Scotland's Kings and Queens. He is Managing Editor of the magazine History Scotland and Lecturer in History at the University of Stirling.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (October 27, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500511357
• ISBN-13: 978-0500511350
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,229,854 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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