To the Island of Tides - by Alistair Moffat (Paperback)

About the Book

This journey to Lindisfarne is a meditation on the power of place, from the historian and award-winning author of The Hidden Ways

Book Synopsis

In To the Island of Tides, Alistair Moffat travels to - and through the history of - the fated island of Lindisfarne. Known by the Romans as Insula Medicata and famous for its monastery, it even survived Viking raids. Today the isle maintains its position as a space for retreat and spiritual renewal.

Walking from his home in the Borders, through the historical landscape of Scotland and northern England, Moffat takes us on a pilgrimage in the footsteps of saints and scholars, before arriving for a secular retreat on the Holy Isle. To the Island of Tides is a walk through history, a meditation on the power of place, but also a more personal journey; and a reflection on where life leads us.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Hidden Ways: Our ancestors walked everywhere, unless they lived by a river or loch and travelled by boat, or were rich enough to keep a horse or pony. So Moffat will walk. He will walk over much of Scotland, following, sometimes struggling to follow, old roads that are now sometimes hard to find. This book is the story of a dozen such walks. This is a splendidly rich book - a treasure-house of information, memories and speculation--ALLAN MASSIE "Scotsman"

The Hidden Ways makes us think about Scotland and its history in a completely different way . . . A truly fascinating read-- "Sunday Mail"

[To the Island of Tides] is often beautifully evocative of places, the past and the landscape . . . compelling and revealing-- "The Times"

A treasure trove of stories-- "The Great Outdoors"

Extraordinary . . . a triumph . . . This book is an intriguing account of St Cuthbert and his times, a lyrical testimony to the wonder of nature and a beguiling account of the power of place in all lives. But . . . it becomes something more, something sublime in the realm of memoir . . . There is a powerful, natural beauty in Moffat's writing-- "Herald"

Retracing and walking Scotland's lost paths makes Alistair Moffat reflect upon the country's history in a different sort of way . . . From Perthshire to Ballachulish, Moffat explores the land in a personal, inquisitive way and searches for evidence of the people who helped shape it-- "Outdoor Photography"

This fascinating and compelling narrative will leave you spellbound and in no time you'll be looking for your hiking boots and waterproofs . . . An absorbing and thought-provoking addition to the literature of Scotland's byways-- "Countryfile"

This is a book written by a living bard of the Borders, who has walked his way into knowledge and found real magic with his eyes wide open-- "Country Life"

This pilgrimage incorporates local lore and biblical references, touching self discovery and a Saint's life. Above all it is a homage to the importance of family and of belonging-- "Wee Review"

Written with both wisdom and love . . . This is a wonderfully rich and consoling book . . . and it is very good indeed-- "Scotsman"

About the Author

Alistair Moffat was born in Kelso, Scotland in 1950. He is an award-winning writer, historian and Director of Programmes at Scottish Television, former Director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and former Rector of the University of St Andrews. He is the founder of Borders Book Festival and Co-Chairman of The Great Tapestry of Scotland. He is the author of The Hidden Ways: Scotland's Forgotten Roads.