For anyone interested in the Scottish islands, this is an indispensable reference work. For lovers of islands, like me, it is an endlessly fascinating book full of interest and surprises on every page.

The book describes in detail 162 islands of 40 hectares (about 100 acres) or more. I do have to voice some disagreement with part of how Haswell-Smith defines an island: as having "... no permanent means of dry access." This excludes any island with a bridge -- most notably Skye. I would argue that if nature has created an island, it remains an island whatever humankind's access arrangements. After all, in historical time a bridge is not a very permanent structure! Nevertheless, Skye is described in an appendix, as are two small islands, Staffa and Bass Rock. Many other smaller and tidal islands are at least mentioned, too. Each of the fully described islands includes sections on owner, population, geology, history, wildlife, topography and access.

For all its factual information the book is not without humour and the author's own quirks. For example, about midges he writes: "Discounting chemical insect repellents, which are only effective for a very short time, there are only two recognised antidotes -- wind and whisky. The former blows them away and the latter makes them bearable." The book is illustrated throughout with the author's own sketches, which bring many details of the islands alive in a very appealing way. One criticism I do have is that the book is weak at times on ornithological information.

Just to pick one island to give a flavour of the book: Raasay, a wonderful place just a short ferry trip from Skye. The population in 1803 was incredibly over 900 but fell to 163 by the 1991 census despite a ferry service being introduced in 1976. There is a reference to the great Gaelic poet Sorley MacLean who was born and brought up on the island (he is the author of "Calbharaigh" set to music by Michael Brandon Fraser and memorably sung by Karen Matheson on her album The Dreaming Sea). I was interested too to read about the road between Brochel and Arnish famously built by one Calum MacLeod (as immortalised by Capercaillie's tune "Calum's Road").

I cannot recommend highly enough this wonderful book of over 400 pages and endorse Haswell-Smith's belief that "there are few parts of the world which possess such magic and mystery as the seas around Scotland."

- Rambles
written by Andy Jurgis
published 1 May 2004