Arran: A History

Arran is an archaeological and geological treasure trove with a history of stone circles, Viking occupation, medieval Scotland, and the Industrial Revolution. Thorbjorn Campbell's book provides an original and comprehensive account of its long and eventful history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 20 April 2023
Publisher: Birlinn General

Arran, an archaeological and geological treasure trove of breathtaking scenic beauty, boasts a rich history that spans over 5,000 years. Its remnants, including the ancient stone circles, still adorn the plains of Machrie, showcasing the ingenuity of its ancient inhabitants. Runic inscriptions reveal the Viking occupation that lasted centuries, leaving a lasting legacy on the island.

However, Arran's history was not without its challenges. The island was caught up in the savage dynastic struggles of medieval Scotland, enduring periods of turmoil and destruction. After the 1707 Parliamentary Union, Arran experienced a peculiar upheaval: it became a test-bed for the new theories of the ideologists of the Industrial Revolution. The traditional runrig style of farming gave way to enclosed fields and labor-saving methods, leading to the socially disastrous Highland Clearances and the unfortunate consequences of the Great Irish Potato Famine of 1845.

It was only in the 19th and 20th centuries that Arran began to settle down, finding a harmonious blend of agriculture and tourism. In this captivating book, Thorbjorn Campbell offers an original, fascinating, and comprehensive account of Arran's long and eventful history, shedding light on the island's cultural, historical, and social developments throughout its remarkable journey.

Weight: 292g
Dimension: 128 x 198 x 44 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839830136