John Walker, minister of Moffat, was already a pioneer of scientific botany and geology when he was sent by the Commission for Annexed Estates to visit the Hebrides and report on their economic potential. He was asked to give an account of agricultural population, possible developments in manufactures and fisheries, and social conditions. The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland took the opportunity of his journey to add to his concerns the religious and educational state of the islands.
Dr Walker saw the Hebrides just as the ideas of the Improvers were reaching them, and his report gives us a last opportunity to see the basis of the old island economy and the life and conditions of the inhabitants. This edition, edited by Margaret Mackay, includes a biographical introduction which also places the text in context, together with notes and index.
One of the advantages of new technology is that it enables hard-to-find books to be made available again. We are pleased to present the first fruits of exploring John Donald's classic backlist of academic titles. Not only do we hope to add more titles to the list but look forward to bringing in other titles suitable for this system as time goes on.
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