Kintyre Publications (other than Angus Martin’s and Angus Macvicar). Click Local authors for details of their works. This list is not exhaustive but contains most of the main publications we see through the shop. We will be adding one or two more over time and have avoided tourist board type publications as being generally ‘froth and bubble and without substance’.
Andrew McKerral
Kintyre in the 17th Century.
This book gives a short summary of the early history of Kintyre and then deals in greater detail with the events of the seventeenth century. It relates the causes of the fall of the Macdonalds of the Isles, the rise of the great family of Argyll and the foubdation of Lochhead or Campbeltown along with much more. Originally published in 1948 this has just been republished in 2001 by the Kintyre Antiquarian society with additional illustrations and photo’s.
Cuthbert Bede (Rev Edward Bradley)
No picture at present
Glencreggan, or a Highland Home in Cantyre’ – Published 1861 a largely anecdotal account, very readable and beautifully illustrated with water colours and line drawings. It is not too hard to find and normally retails at £60 – £100 depending on condition. Available in two volumes both bound together and singley.
The illustration painted by Cuthbert Bede shows Campbeltown Loch in 1861
Freddy Gillies
Freddy Gillies started his working life as a journalist on the local paper ‘The Campbeltown Courier’ and has written (to my knowledge) three titles focussing on Campbeltown and Kintyre.
His books are well illustrated with photographs and anecdotal tales providing a fascinating insight into Kintyre Life since the 1950’s. We usually have them in stock for immeadiate despatch.Click ‘search our stock’ at the topof the page to check availability.
‘In Campbeltown once more‘ was born out of a conversation with the former ‘old labour’ provost George Macmillan. This book is an accounting of the author’s boyhood memories of Campbeltown during the 1950’s and 60’s. The book is not intended as a piece of historical research but rather is a very readable ramble through the fairly recent past. Amply illustrated with photographs this book is a must for anyone with an interest in the recent developments and changes in Campbeltown.
Famedram publishers/Freddy Gillies – 2000 (Northern books)
Life on God’s Island’ Freddy Gillies, in his role as a ‘Ferry man’, lives and works on Gigha ferrying the local folk and the Island’s many visitor’s between the island and Tayinloan on Kintyre. Gigha is a little gem of an Island, its name is taken by many scholars to be a derivation of ‘Gud-ey’ meaning God’s Isle. With it’s white sands, fertile pasture, and peaceful atmosphere Gigha has been settled since prehistoric times and Freddy’s book gives the reader an insight into both its past and it’s present.
Famedram publishers/Freddy Gillies – 1999 (Northern books)
The coal tar is the popular name given to members of the local fishing fleet operating out of Campbeltown on the Kintyre. Since the 1970’s, the author has been one of their number. Here for the first time you can discover what life on a Campbeltown boat is really like. Freddy takes you behind the scenes and beneath the decks to paint an often hilarious, sometimes tragic, picture. No one interested in the area or it’s industries will want to be without a copy.
Famedram publishers/Freddy Gillies – 1992 (Northern books)
The Flora of Kintyre-
A survey of Kintyre and its flora. Not illustrated but even so a valuable resource for those interested in Kintyre natural history. Long out of print but we were recently able to pick up a publishers end of line box full. We are able to offer these at only £6.99 each.
The Gaelic of Kintyre – Nils M. Holmer, (Dublin 1962) – a fascinating look at the Gaelic dialect of Kintyre. its differences and similarities to Irish Gaelic and its subsequent decline. Today Gaelic is rarely if ever heard on Kintyre making this book a valuable resource. For those interested in family history it also lists Gaelic speakers at the time of the author’s research. It is being reprinted in Feb 2002, but we regularly have out of print copies in stock
The Campbeltown and Machrihanish Light Railway. – Nigel Macmillan. The story begins with coal being transported by horse back to Campbeltown. A canal was then cut, but fell into disrepair and in 1876 the railway was opened and was subsequently upgraded to a public company carrying passengers as well as minerals. This edition of Macmillan’s book has long been out of print and generally retails £10 – £18 depending on condition. A new edition has been printed in a slightly different format and this was reprinted in 2000 retailing at £15.95. We often have both editions in stock. The book was pre-dated by ‘The Campbeltown and Machrihanish Railway.’by A. D. Farr published in 1969 by the Oakwood Press this has 48pp illustrations, maps and card covers and general retails at around £10.Bird watching in Kintyre – Eddie Macguire.
In print, and usually available from us. An excellent book, well put together and researched.
No image available at present.
No image at present