Book description
With over six thousand miles of rugged coastline, nowhere in Scotland
is more than forty-five miles from tidal waters, and seven of the
biggest towns and cities are seaports. No wonder then that the sea has
shaped Scotland, and in turn the Scots have helped to shape maritime
history, trade and communications.
Scots and the Sea is a unique and compelling account of a small,
sparsely populated country's relationship with the most powerful force
on earth. It is a celebration of the courage and endurance of
fishermen and their families, the selfless bravery of lifeboat
volunteers and the individual brilliance of leaders like Admiral
Cochrane, who helped establish free nations across the globe. The
illicit activities of scoundrels like Captain Kidd also provide a
taste of the darker side of the story.
Scotland's proud maritime tradition is traced through this volume,
which examines the development of trade, the founding of a Scottish
merchant navy and the pressures towards Union with England. It
explores ports, harbours and shipyards, and outlines the vital role
Scotland has played in shipbuilding and marine engineering - from the
galleys and longships of early history to clippers, steamships, ocean
liners, hovercraft and oil rigs. Also recounted are the exploits and
achievements of Scots in all these fields, including those of James
Watt, William Symington, Henry Bell and Robert Stevenson. Finally, it
takes a look into the future, where Scottish research into wave and
tidal power could become vital in providing a source of sustainable
energy.
Over the years, many Scots have made their living and their fortune
from the sea, others have lost their lives to it - Scots and the Sea
is a tribute to all of them.
James D. G. Davidson served as a naval officer in the Atlantic, the
Pacific, the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf. Present in Tokyo
Harbour at the time of the Japanese surrender in 1945, he was Assistant
Naval Attach in Moscow at the time of Stalin's death. He lives in
Newtonmore.
