The Land of Heather #226982

<i>The Land of Heather</i> by Clifton Johnson is an American account of the various sights and sounds of Scotland. Revolving around the heather plant that is abundantly found across the Scottish lands, Johnson opens a window into the lives and times of the Scottish working class and farmers among various others. He draws from various sources including natural history, village gossip and common lore and stories revolving around the various places covered in this work. <br><br><i>The Land of Heather</i> opens with an introductory note by the author which discusses the importance of heather, which although found all across Britain and most parts of Europe, had a special position in Scotland. The essence of the book is found in the association of heather in the rich literature and culture of the region. In describing the attributes of heather, Johnson brings out the inherent characteristics of the Scottish people. Spread across fourteen chapters, the work covers different locations including the Isle of Mull, Galloway and various Lochs and Bens, among others. <br><br>Johnson painstakingly illustrates in detail the ways of artisans, farmers and the working class. The book is replete with numerous photographs capturing the different moods and hues of the Scottish heartlands. Johnson's narrative in <i>The Land of Heather</i> is in parts informative and in parts humorous but at its core, this is a book for the general reader looking for an honest and beautifully woven emotive insight in to the hearts of the Scottish people.