The Hebrides of Scotland
- around 500 diverse islands
- form the north-western Atlantic fringe of Europe. This book surveys the cultural landscape of this dramatically beautiful complex & conflicted area with emphasis on what may be interpreted through aerial photography. Its main themes are the mutual influences of people & environment & the recent history & current issues in the area. Mobile maritime cultures flourished throughout the Hebrides from prehistoric times including Mesolithic builders of wheelhouses coracle-borne monastic travellers Norse in longships & Lords of the Isles in birlinns. A prominent feature of the recent history of the Hebrides has been depopulation. The history & heartbreak of this phenomenon experienced in differing degrees in rural areas throughout Europe from the mid-18th century is clearly shown in aerial photographs & discussed in the accompanying text. Todays Hebridean landscapes have been heavily modified by various forms of human land use; current l&-management options & controversies are also discussed in the context of photographs that draw attention to the various issues involved.