The publishers , The Islands Book Trust, were pleased to launch Robert Hay’s second book “How an island Lost its People” at the Friends’ Day in the museum on 24 November 2013. Bob’s first book “Lismore – The Great Garden”, published in 2009, was a great sweep of the island’s history which showed just how important a part the island has played in the prehistory and early history of the West Highlands and Islands.
This new book deals with the ” Improvement, Clearance and Resettlement on Lismore, 1830-1914″ . It explores the many factors that led to the island ‘s population dwindling from its peak of 1500 in 1830 to 400 by 1910 when it was still falling. Bob explores this haemorrhaging of people through the lives of two major players Alan MacDougall,the factor of Baleovolan estate who wanted to improve farming practice and encourage better tenants, and James Cheyne who wanted to clear the land for sheepwalks.
Both books are available for sale in the Museum shop, but while the shop is closed for the season you can contact Bob direct on 01631 760 393 or email dot.bob@btopenworld.com if you wish to buy “How an Island lost its People”. Price £9.99.
Robert Hay Book launch