Entertaining and gripping, Alistair Moffat clears away the myths and brings the compelling history of the Highland clans to life.

'Full of character, combining proper research with a sure eye to what attracts and sustains an audience's attention' Scotland on Sunday

The story of the Highland clans is a gripping one, full of celebrated names and heroic deeds. It is also, as Alistair Moffat reveals, the story of a fearless people, shaped by the unique traditions and landscape of the Scottish Highlands.

Here, he traces the history of the clans from their Celtic origins to the coming of the Romans, through the great battles of Bannockburn and Flodden, to the Clearances and the present day. The story of the clans is also about the pain of leaving, with the great emigrations to the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Clansmen and women disappeared, but the memories have never faded. Even today the power of the ancient clan names persists, drawing many back to this rugged corner of the world. Complete with a clan map and an alphabetical list of the clans of the Scottish Highlands, this is a must for anyone interested in the history of Scotland.

Details

ISBN13: 9780500298282
Format: Paperback / softback
Number of Pages: 216
Edition:
Publication Date: 09 Mar 2025
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd
Publication City, Country: London, United Kingdom
Dimensions (cm): 19.8(H)x12.9(L)220
Weight (gm): 220

Author Biography

Alistair Moffat was born in Kelso, Scotland. He is an award-winning writer and historian, and was Director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and is former Rector of the University of St Andrews. He is founder of Borders Book Festival and Co-Chairman of The Great Tapestry of Scotland. His many books include Scotland's Forgotten Past and Before Scotland, both published by Thames & Hudson.

Reviews

'A brisk and accessible guide to a thousand years of reiving and rivalry in the Highlands' - The Scotsman
'Full of character, combining proper research with a sure eye to what attracts and sustains an audience’s attention' - Scotland on Sunday
'Refreshing new material and commanding historical breadth in this lively and beautifully illustrated survey of 1,000 years of clancestry' - Country Life
'The best popular text of its kind … Alistair Moffat is both a scholar and a writer in touch with ordinary folk. He deals with controversial topics expertly and keeps the facts in focus' - Scots Magazine
'An extraordinary achievement … drifts effortlessly between exceedingly good reference book and riproaring read' - Peeblesshire News