Northern Isles No More

About the Book: 

Northern Isles No More? invites you into the captivating story of Orkney and Shetland’s people, shaped by constant tide of emigration. Ranging from the 1700s to the 2000s, this book delves into the motives behind their journeys overseas – why they left, the means they used, and the profound issues of identity, adventure and adversity that they faced along the way.

With a rich narrative that intertwines personal interviews and archival treasures, Marjory brings to life the voices of those who embarked on these transformative journeys. From heartfelt letters to vibrant diaries, these compelling accounts reveal the resilience and determination of island emigrants as they sought new beginnings and navigated the complexities of leaving home.

The stories illuminate the emotional landscape of those who ventured far and wide, leaving indelible marks on communities from the Arctic to the Antipodes. This is a celebration of the human spirit and a testament to the enduring connection to home. Discover the rich legacy of those who dared to dream beyond the horizon.

Reviews:

Marjory Harper’s remarkably wide-ranging and centuries-spanning account of emigration from Scotland’s Northern Isles is made all the more gripping by its extensive use of emigrants’ own words. This is groundbreaking history with a human face. JAMES HUNTER, Emeritus Professor of History, University of the Highlands and Islands

Harper’s elegant prose and pinpoint analysis reveal the bravery and determination of those who left the Northern Isles for a new future, and the many who returned home. A remarkable history, expertly told. GRAEME MORTON, Professor of Modern History, University of Dundee

Harper’s elegant prose and pinpoint analysis reveal the bravery and determination of those who left the Northern Isles for a new future, and the many who returned home. A remarkable history, expertly told. GRAEME MORTON, Professor of Modern History, University of Dundee

About the Author:

MARJORY HARPER is a Professor of History at the University of Aberdeen and an Associate Professor at the University of the Highlands and Islands’ Centre for History. Her study of Scottish emigration in the nineteenth century, Adventurers and Exiles, won the Saltire Society Scottish History Book of the Year Prize in 2004. With Professor Stephen Constantine, she co-authored Migration and Empire (2010), a Companion volume in the Oxford History of the British Empire. She and her husband live in rural Aberdeenshire.