Lillian Beckwith

Delightful memoir of a retired schoolteacher who went crofting on a remote Hebridean island and fell in love with the place and its people.

Lillian Beckwith's settling in on the island of Bruach and having a croft of her own, is the basis of these comic adventures. Adapting to a totally different way of life provides many excuses for humour and the eccentric cast of characters guarantees there is never a dull moment on Bruach. In one story, beachcombing yields a strange find. In another a Christmas party results in a riotous night's celebration. I haven't laughed so much since Whisky Galore''--EVENING NEWS (fr. Cvr. )**

Eight short stories with a rich cast of characters, set in seductive Highland settings. In the title story Catriona McRae embarks on married life and learns a closely guarded secret from her mother-in-law. 'The Banjimolly' features a witch - and two bottles of whisky. 'Because of an Elephant' concerns an eccentric laird's wife. A boy and his adored collie dog, Meg, are the subjects of 'The Last Shot'. First published 1988.

Mairi and Sandy live on a lonely Hebridean island, content with each other, despite their lack of children. When Mairi brings home Thomas, a child from the orphanage, Sandy is jealous of Mairi's affection for him and disappointed in the boy's stammer and fragility. With time, Thomas grows in confidence and draws nearer to his foster mother, but still Sandy keeps an emotional distance - until tragedy results in a new understanding. ''Told with a confident dignity...direct, unpretentious, and datelessly charming''--Daily Telegraph**