The Furrow Behind Me: The Autobiography of a Hebridean Crofter

MacLellan’s reminiscences were first recorded in Gaelic in the early 1960s, and later transcribed and translated by John Lorne Campbell intothis outstanding English language autobiography. Written in an unusual yet captivating prose style, this is a life story in the oral tradition.Born in 1869 into a poverty-stricken crofting community on South Uist, Angus MacLellan spent his childhood and youth with his family beforetravelling to the island to find work first in the militia and then on the farms of the mainland. His travels came to an end when he returned toassist, and eventually to succeed his parents on their croft on South Uist in 1900.

Born in 1869, Angus MacLellan’s life encompassed two centuries and great changes in the Scottish way of life, from rural to industrial,from island to mainland. He left Uist to go into camp with the militia, before working for farmers on the mainland in Perthshire and Argyll. Helater returned to the family croft on South Uist to work at inshore fishing and crafting.

John Lorne Campbell was the author of numerous books and articles, including Canna: the Story of a Hebridean Island, the island thatwas his home from 1938 to his death in 1996. He was instrumental in ensuring that the island pass into the care of the National Trustfor Scotland in order that its natural and cultural heritage be protected. He was honoured with numerous awards during his life,including honorary degrees from the Universities of Glasgow and Oxford, fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and in 1990an OBE.