A Spade Among the Rushes - Softcover

Leigh, Margaret

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1874744645 ISBN 13: 9781874744641

Publisher: Birlinn Ltd, 2001

Synopsis

This is an account of crofting life in Moidart in the north-west of Scotland, during World War II. The book describes the author's attempts to transform a deserted croft into a home. Although far from the Blitz, the effects of war were felt throughout the Highlands, and the rationing of food and vital materials, the battles with bureaucrats who had no understanding of a crofter's needs, and even the appearance of a Nazi mine off the coast, all frustrated Margaret Leigh's efforts. Before moving to Moidart, Leigh also published "Driftwood and Tangle" and "Harvest of the Moor".

About this title

About the Author

Margaret Leigh was the author of Driftwood and Tangle, Spade Among the Rushes, Highland Homespun, Harvest of the Moor and My Kingdom for a Horse. She was born in London in 1894, the cousin of novelist Dorothy L. Sayers and the daughter of an Oxford don. Her childhood was spent wandering Europe and beyond for her father’s health, and following his death she became a governess, teacher and university lecturer. In what would become a life-long habit, Margaret changed tack dramatically and turned to agriculture to support herself and her mother, studying the subject and working farms and crofts, most notably in the north west of Scotland. She died in 1973.

Edition details

• Publisher: Birlinn Ltd
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1874744645
• ISBN 13: 9781874744641
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 196