Scotland’s Heritage: A photographic journey

Scotland’s Heritage is a unique book. It combines John Hannavy’s stunning and original photography of Scotland with an engaging narrative on the country’s evolution from 4000 BC to the present day, using both the author’s own account of his travels with those of the great travel writers of the past who have explored and been moved by its landscape, architecture and people.Scotland is a country steeped in history, and blessed with a rich and varied heritage set in a stunning landscape. It is a photographer’s paradise with light which can change a hundred times a day, each revealing a new aspect of the place. Throughout the country, marks reveal the lives of those who have lived before us over past millennia, while today’s landscape is dotted with the remains of buildings erected, enjoyed, altered and abandoned over the past centuries.Scotland’s Heritage illustrates some of the country’s often-turbulent history by offering a view of the places and the buildings where that history was played out. The text and pictures in the book are arranged thematically with sections entitled The marks left by men; The land of the mountain and the flood; Great houses and humble dwellings; Churches, rituals and monuments; The land of a thousand castles; One thousand years of industry and Living and working by the sea.Travel writers from the last 400 years such as William Camden, Boswell & Johnson, Thomas Pennant, Daniel Defoe and H.V. Morton have all contributed their views on what Sir Walter Scott called `the land of the mountain and the flood’. The land they journeyed through and the experience of travel then was very different to what we know today, and quotations from their erudite, informative and often amusing observations are used to contrast their Scotland with ours.

Reviews of Scotland’s Heritage: A photographic journey

'We learn how tantalising reminders of our turbulent history remain through the landscapes and buildings where the past was played out…' Scottish Memories ——————– 'A joy to flick through for its gorgeous shots, not just of castles, lochs and mountains but also of relics of the Industrial Revolution and creations of the modern age such as the Forth Road Bridge and The Falkirk Wheel.' Scotland in Trust ——————– 'You'll lose yourself in page after page of fantastic photography – and engaging words – charting Scotland's evolution 4000BC today. …would also make a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves Scotland's outdoors.' Fiona Outdoors ——————– `…a new picture history of Scotland's people, buildings and landscape. Richly illustrated with almost 300 stunning colour photographs, it looks at Scotland through a number of themed texts and accompanying photo-essays, covering the country from north to south, and from the Western Isles to the east coast.' Historic Scotland ——————– '…is a lovely book that works very well on a number of different levels… …this is a book that continues to delight as you delve deeper: not least because of the range of the subject matter on offer. This is a book that will be enjoyed by visitors and newcomers to Scotland and by those who have lived here all their lives. It's certainly one we'd strongly recommend to anyone wanting a feel for the sheer range of what the country has to offer.' Undiscovered Scotland ——————– '…the superb range of photographs. … The format, very readable text and the outstanding photographs make it a very tactile book and an invaluable guide to not only the present but also the history and heritage of Scotland.' Highland News, North Star, Lochaber News