The Highland Clans

This is a really good book. I usually nod off if I try to read historical books, but this one is so well written, that I don't. If you are into history of Scotland or the clans, this book is for you. I am a descendent of the Scott clan but unfortunately they are not mentioned. It doesn't matter. This is a really good book and I'm glad I bought it. It will make a good reference book in the future.

As I prepared for a trip to the Scottish Highlands I wanted to know a bit about the place's history and especially the role the clan system played in that history.I ordered this and another book (Scottish History Without the Boring Bits -- do NOT ORDER). This book was not only interesting to read, but as Moffat explains the role different clans played in different highlights of the region's history he also teaches other relevant historical facts. When I arrived in Scotland I felt ready to supplement the knowledge the book provided with the type you get hands-on.Highly recommend!

While trying to plug holes in my Scottish and UK history, I've been reading a few different books on the subjects. Having just visited Scotland during the Summer of 2013, Moffat's book paints some wonderful pictures of the landscape, people, battles, and history to draw the reader in and make the history come alive. I appreciated the opening and the way the book was broken up sectionally. I was looking into other books by Moffat to read. There is no greater compliment to an author than wanting to read more of his work.

'The Children of the Mist' as Alistair Moffat calls them. Because most of them were children. When a clan fought children were as young as 14 years of age. They fought with their, Father's , Uncle's and Brother's. In the mist means to be lost forever. The battle of Culloden, and it's after affects. How the clan's lost their language, and culture. How the Highland Clan's were spread to America, New Zealand, Nova Scotia and Canada. Moffat is a great writer , and in my opinion a nation treasure.

Before traveling to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, I wanted to do some light historical preparation. After a long and mostly unsatisfying Amazon search, I chose this book, and I was pretty happy with it. Other readers have complained about the way it's organized (or is not well organized) — you wind up with a scattered idea of a lot of clans and a lot of locations and a lot of Bonnie Prince Charlie. One thing that made this book work fairly well for me was that when I began reading it, I had already mapped out my solo trip, so I had been staring at maps and place names for about a month. As a result, I knew most of the places mentioned and roughly where they were. Without that, I suspect I might have been ready to chuck it aside, as there's only ONE map in the book, and it does not show every place mentioned in the text — not even the places where some very famous battles were fought.The people's names are kind of overwhelming. There are various MacDonalds and MacGregors, for example, and sometimes I wasn't sure if I was reading again about someone I'd already read about in an earlier chapter. A timeline with significant dates and people would have helped.The history is good, seems to be properly researched and verified. The illustrations (most in full color) are excellent and really enhance the text. The quality of the book is quite nice, heavy glossy paper and a sturdy binding on the paperback.My final difficulty was that, missing a timeline, I ended up consulting Wikipedia after I'd finished reading this book so that I could get straight in my mind the progression of James VI and I (that is one person; he's VI in Scotland and I in England) and James VII and II (again, one person); Mary Queen of Scots (mother of James VI and I); William of Orange and his queen, Mary (daughter of James VII and II — see how confusing it is?); and the two Pretenders to the throne, Old (James Francis Edward Stuart, son of James VII and II) and New (his son Charles Edward Stuart, "Bonnie Prince Charlie"). A timeline would have helped with this so much. Having a grasp on all this was very helpful on my trip, because this history was referenced everywhere I went in northwestern Scotland.The book also presents a good account of the Highland Clearances, noting the ways in which land ownership was used against the people who had lived on the land and worked it for many generations, and explaining how so very many Scottish people emigrated to the British colonies in North America, Australia and New Zealand.

We really enjoyed reading this book. I liked the author's rambling, descriptive way of writing. And our family name is in the book so that just adds to the fun of reading about the history of the clans!

A difficult book to follow, but Scots history seems that way. Came on time and well wrapped.

alles gut gefällt mir....

Beautifully written and with beautiful images, a very interesting reading about the history of the Scottish Highlands and its clans

This such a Beautifully made book. Keepsake. Pictures are good. I love learning the history & facts as they are known of the Highland clans people. It is a slow read for me. It is history! But I relish every bit of learning who these people were & what their lives were like back then.

I got so involved in this book I read it from cover to cover in just under 3 days. It is a great book about the clans of Scotland. Full of feeling and some sadness. I can now do further research from the full list of the clans in the final chapter. Excellent.

the subject is broad, so instead of going into the details this book gives you a nice overview.recommended if you have no previous notion on the matter