Nemeton

Research output: Book/ReportBook

Abstract

A nemeton, from the Scottish Gaelic, is a sacred place, or a place where knowledge is exchanged, a threshold between states.
This book is the result of a tour of Highland nemetons, an interrogation of marginal aspects of the contemporary Highland landscape, away from the mainstream.
Journey into the Celtic Otherworld via a fairy hill at Aberfoyle. across a prehistoric megalithic landscape on the Isle of Lewis, up to a hidden mother-goddess shrine in Perthshire, around a holy mountain on the Isle of Harris, or along a haunted river in Easter Ross.
Part scholarship, and part fantastical deconstruction, William Blake meets Ossian in this Highland dreamworld. We are led by the Salmon of Wisdom up to the source, or lured into the lair of the Cailleach.
From archaeology, anthropology, and ethnology, to neo-antiquarianism, psychedelia, and hauntology, Nemeton takes you on an intriguing Highland journey.
The book also contains numerous drawings and photographs by the author, providing visual parallels to the text.
Also featuring parallel texts by Murdo Macdonald, The Lonely Piper, and Tommy Crooks, and images by Eddie Summerton, Murdo Macdonald, Lee O’Connor and Tommy Crooks.
‘Nemeton’ was produced as part of the ‘Window to the West’ research project, run jointly betwen the University of Dundee and Sabhal Mor Ostaig Gaelic College on the Isle of Skye - exploring visual aspects of contemporary Gaelic culture.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationScotland
Number of pages339
Publication statusPublished - 30 Jan 2010

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