On Islands and Travelling

"It is become customary in those of quality to travel young into foreign countries, whilst they are absolute strangers at home; and many of them when they return are only loaded with superficial knowledge, as the bare names of famous libraries, stately edifices, fine statues, curious paintings, late fashions, new dishes, new tunes, new dances, painted beauties and the like. The places here mentioned afford no such entertainment" - Martin Martin, A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland, c. 1695, p. 62

Martin Martin's book on the Western Isles might be extremely dated and not very useful beyond comments on the wildlife (namely the sheep, cows, and other croft animals) and the locals (particularly their drinking habits), but after giving a dissertation presentation two days ago which centered primarily upon the Western Isles of Scotland, I think in some ways he proves a point (the same point to which I will later disagree with). I've been to many different places the past three years: Egypt, Greece, Scotland, England, Ireland; the majority of things and tidbits of knowledge I have come back with from these places has largely been included in Martin's list in the quote above.

After a trip down to London to celebrate the end of the final semester of grad school before dissertation begins, I'm going to be making several plans to visit the Hebrides/Western Isles, the very places Martin is speaking about.

...Where is that, you say? 

One crash-course on Hebridean geography, coming right up!

http://www.mappery.com/maps/Hebrides-Islands-Map.jpg

Above is a map of both Inner and Outer Hebridean Islands off the Western coast of Scotland. Dozens of tiny little islands litter the area to the west, the farthest one being St Kilda. My dissertation research will revolve primarily around these islands and the medieval monasteries on them, and the goal is to visit as many sites as I possibly can. Some of these islands are incredibly difficult to get to, and some of the sites are simply inaccessible all together.

Iona is a Hebridean Island and as you can tell from my last post, I did indeed visit the island and the former monastery. However, Iona is one of the more famous and well known Scottish islands. Others aren't well known at all.

Quite frankly these regions, despite being devoid of the typical tourist hot-spots of shopping strips and 'fine statues' of the classical sort to fill up on and return home with lavishing stories about the city such as one would after a trip to Paris or London, have a lot to offer. A friend (shout out to Màiri yet again!) and I talk (mostly shout and complain to one another) frequently about the lack of knowledge and accessible archaeology done about/on the Hebrides.

Many people around the world fail to recognize that the Hebrides exist or are a thing, and that each of them has their own unique quirks and histories - and definitely archaeology! But this post wasn't just to spew 'everyone should study Hebridean archaeology and history!' in everyone's faces and complain at the lack of knowledge accessible to people, or even to have a point at all. Simply raising awareness and talking about somewhere I really want to research is fine by me. And to be honest - here's where I disagree with Martin Martin's quote. I think, throughout my summer planning to go camping and visiting the isles of Lismore, Canna, Rum, Eigg, Tiree, Barra, Islay and others, that I and the others who visit these islands, will discover that they posses new tunes, new dances, curious paintings, fine stone carvings, and a history and culture in abundance - and it will be far from superficial knowledge (at least it better not be or my dissertation will be highly problematic). I've already experienced something like that with Iona and even driving through Mull.

So, take a bit to read about the Hebrides, look at a map, maybe Google an article or two! You'll be surprised at what you can find out!

Until next time...