I try and follow C C Lynam's practice in 'The Log of the Blue Dragon': "For my part, I buy and read every record of actual cruising that I hear of or see advertised. The interest of such publications (which are astonishingly few in number) very largely depends on their simplicity and good temper ... constant grumbling, generally at the weather or the natives is another characteristic that spoils them". More than a hundred years later, many more books have appeared, some are very useful and even wonderful, worth having on the boat if you have the space. They have certainly been a great resource for writing this website. Here is my recommended reading list.
Around the west coast of Scotland books
A Description of the Western Isles of Scotland called Hybrides. Sir Donald Monro High Dean of the Isles, Birlinn, Edinburgh, 1994. The first description, albeit brief and in places difficult to follow, of 209 islands in the 16th century. The first 'Haswell-Smith' perhaps.
A Description of the Western Isles of Scotland circa 1695. Martin Martin, Birlinn, Edinburgh, 1994. The first good account of the Hebrides, and other islands. Written by a local ('a gentleman of Skye') in his 30s, who clearly travelled round all the places he wrote about, describing everything from the people, their religion, what they ate, farming, anchorages and lots more.
A Tour in Scotland and Voyage to the Hebrides 1772. Thomas Pennant, Birlinn, Edinburgh, 1998, is a surprisingly easy read, far from pompous, and less dated than one might have imagined. The author had a real interest in everything he saw from what people farmed and ate, to a bit of history, to the flora and fauna, and more.
A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland. Samuel Johnson, 1775, Ed RW Chapman, Oxford University Press, 1970 is another easy read, a real classic, and like Tennant full of interest about the people, posh and not so posh, and on the nature of the Scottish as seen from the view of a Londoner in his 60s.
The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson, LL.D. James Boswell, 1785, Ed RW Chapman, Oxford University Press, 1970. This is just what it says. Longer than Johnson's account, it focuses much more on Johnson than on Scotland. It is a fairly easy read and adds to Johnson's description of Scotland and the Scots, with the advantage of being written by a Scotsman rather than a literary intellectual from London.
A Tour through the Highlands of Scotland and the Hebride Isles in 1786. John Knox, James Thin, Edinburgh 1975 is what it says on the tin. This was not THE John Knox, but a Scottish philanthropist eager to set up fishing stations to exploit the untapped — at the time — potential for fishing. He clearly had huge sympathies with the impoverished local population, constantly thinking of ways to improve their lives.
A Companion and Useful Guide to the Beauties of Scotland, and the Hebrides ... to which is now added An Account of the New Roads in Scotland, and of a beautiful cavern lately discovered in the Isle of Skye'. The Hon. Mrs Sarah Murray. London. Third edition, 1810. This maybe the first guide-book to Scotland written by an indomitable lady from Kensington who made several tours up north when travelling in Scotland was still extremely difficult.
The Highlands and Islands of Scotland, containing descriptions of their scenery and antiquities. Dr John MacCulloch, Longman, 1824. The author was a doctor and a chemist, but mostly a geologist. He himself was not a sailor but he certainly got around in OPBs (other people's boats). It is quite hard to read because because it is very long and somewhat portentous. There are four volumes that can downloaded: http://www.electricscotland.com/travel/highlands.htm.
One Summer's Grace, a family voyage round Britain. Libby Purves, Grafton Books, 1989. My favourite sailing round Britain book for her observations about small children on boats. Of course Scotland is included.
Phoenix from the ashes, the boat that rebuilt our lives. Justin Ruthven-Tyers, Adlard Coles 2012. The author forsook the West Country to come to rest on Islay. It is a very witty addition to any West Coast library.
The Voyages of the Princess Matilda and The Princess Matilda Comes Home. Shane Spall, Ebury Press, 2013. Along with her husband Timothy, they sailed a sea-going barge around Britain over a few years. It is charming and funny, a delightful read.
And don't forget to have on board books about the birds, flowers, whales and dolphins, trees, and the seashore.