A Croft in the Hills
Published on 24. April 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-1-78027-928-2 (ISBN)
Description
A Croft in the Hills, first published in 1960, is now acknowledged as a classic among Highland books. It captures, in simple, moving descriptions, what it was really like trying to make a living out of a hill croft near Loch Ness fifty years ago. A couple and their young daughter, fresh from city life, immerse themselves in the practicalities of looking after sheep, cattle and hens, mending fences, baking bread and surviving the worst that Scottish winters can throw at them.
Their neighbours are few, but among them they find the generosity and community spirit that has survived in the Highlands for generations. Working as a tight family unit, they learn to cope, and in time grow to love their little croft.
Their neighbours are few, but among them they find the generosity and community spirit that has survived in the Highlands for generations. Working as a tight family unit, they learn to cope, and in time grow to love their little croft.
Reviews / Votes
'Katharine Stewart's narrative style... is delightfully engaging, her prose almost conversational. The reader, like a house guest, has little chance but to become wholeheartedly involved' * Topical Books * 'Katharine Stewart's memories are, as she says herself a tale of other times, almost a glimpse of legends ... evocative and charming' * Scottish Book Collector * 'Written with great charm' * Books in Scotland *More details
Edition
New Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Birlinn General
Illustrations
b/w throughout
Dimensions
Height: 129 mm
Width: 198 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
172 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78027-928-2 (9781780279282)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Katharine Stewart was born in 1914 in Reading. Following the Second World War and after a spell running a hotel in Edinburgh she moved with her husband, Sam Stewart, and daughter Hilda, to the croft at Abriachan near Loch Ness, where she began her writing career with A Croft in the Hills. Later she trained as a teacher before, on the death of her husband, becoming the local postmistress at Abriachan. She died in 2013 and is survived by her daughter, Hilda.
Annie Worsley is a writer, geographer, grandmother and crofter who lives in North West Scotland. Her first book, Windswept, was published in August 2023.
Annie Worsley is a writer, geographer, grandmother and crofter who lives in North West Scotland. Her first book, Windswept, was published in August 2023.