A Voyage to St. Kilda

Full Title: A Voyage to St. Kilda: The remotest of all the Hebrides or Western Isles of Scotland
Second Hand
Hardback
Author: Martin, M.
Published by: James Thin; The Mercat Press
Language: English

. Book Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket: Near Fine.
A facsimile of the 4th edition publ. 1753, limited to 500 numbered copies, in blue cloth boards with gilt cover and spine titles and a glassine wrapper. Very crisp, clean and bright inside and out incl. folding map. Free from inscription. Glassine wrapper has bumping to extremities only.
A travelogue and historical account written by Martin Martin, first published in 1698.
It provides one of the earliest and most detailed descriptions of the remote Scottish archipelago of St Kilda and the unique way of life of its inhabitants before their evacuation in 1930.
The book is a first-hand account detailing the geography, natural history (especially the abundant birdlife), customs, religion, language (Gaelic), and daily life of the islanders. It describes a self-sufficient, non-materialistic community and their unique methods for survival, such as fowling on the steep cliffs and preserving eggs in stone pyramids. The account also includes a narrative about an “impostor” named Roderick who claimed to have new religious revelations.
It is considered a classic of Scottish topography and a crucial historical document, offering a rare glimpse into a society and culture that has since disappeared.