A Spade Among the Rushes

Paperback (10 May 2018)

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Publisher's Synopsis

One of very few books available on Moidart in the north-west of Scotland, it evokes the enchanted, magical beauty of this much-loved area of the country. Margaret Leigh was already a successful author when her longing for freedom and independence led to her decision to become a crofter in the West Highlands. These memoirs describe her attempts to transform a deserted croft into a home, and her struggles to snatch land back from the wilderness. Although far from the Blitz, the effects of the war are felt throughout the Highlands, and the rationing of food and vital materials, the battles with bureaucrats who had no understanding of a crofter's needs, and even the appearance of a Nazi mine off the coast, all frustrate Margaret Leigh's efforts. But despite the hardships, the land and the people of the Highlands gave her a contentment and happiness she had never known before. This edition features an Introduction by Katie Maclean, who knew Margaret Leigh during her time in Moidart.

Book information

ISBN: 9781912476169
Publisher: Birlinn Ltd
Imprint: Origin
Pub date:
DEWEY: 941.156084092
DEWEY edition: 23
Language: English
Number of pages: 192
Weight: 254g
Height: 130mm
Width: 196mm
Spine width: 21mm