Children of the Black House

by Ferguson, Calum; Meek, Donald

• ISBN13: 9781841582689
• ISBN10: 1841582689
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-11-01
• Publisher: Birlinn Ltd

Summary

Children of the Black House is a fascinating glimpse into life on the Hebridean island of Lewis from the closing years of the nineteenth century up to the 1950s. Calum Ferguson employs an unusual narrative technique, drawing on his mother M iread's reminiscences, and presenting her experiences and conversation in the first person. M iread herself was most at home speaking Gaelic, though she never learned to read or write in that language, but only in English, the compulsory language at school. This is a fascinating account of a culture in transition.

Author Biography

Calum Ferguson, born in Point, Lewis and educated at the Nicolson Institute and Aberdeen University, has a had a varied career as a teacher and broadcaster, including a period at Strathclyde and Glasgow Universities, where he was Director of Audio Visual Services. He now lives in Stornoway. He is the author of a number of books in Gaelic and English including Hiort - A Gaelic History of St Kilda, widely recognised to be one of the finest written. He is a keen musician and a noted local historian.