Books published by John Donald Publishers Ltd

Combining newspaper and manuscript evidence from the pipers themselves with a range of historical sources, the author harnesses the insights of the practical player to those of the historian and provides a fresh account of the players and their musical traditions, which have previously been the subject of much myth-making.

A group of distinguished Scottish medievalists examines various aspects of the history of Celtic or Gaelic-speaking Scotland from the sub-Roman period to the sixteenth century.

The publication of 'An Introduction to Scottish Ethnology' sees the completion of the fourteen-volume Scottish Life and Society series, originally conceived by the eminent ethnologist Professor Alexander Fenton.

Presents an anthology of early Scottish literature. This book seeks to explore the reasons behind strange neglect of the writers of the seventeenth century.

This book reviews the political events that led to the abolition of episcopacy in 1689 and with it the concerted attack on the parish clergy. It explores for the first time the background and influences that led to the brutal 'rabbling of the curates' in south-west Scotland.

This book explores the king's successes and failures, offering a fresh assessment of his contribution to the making of Scotland as a nation.

The North Britons are the least-known among the inhabitants of early medieval Scotland. Like the Picts and Vikings they played an important role in the shaping of Scottish history during the first millennium AD but their part is often neglected or ignored. This book traces the history of this native Celtic people through the troubled centuries.

Investigates Somerled of Argyll's emergence in the forefront of the Gaelic-Norse aristocracy of the western seaboard, his part in Gaeldom's challenge to the Canmore kings of Scots, his war on the Manx king of the Isles, his importance for the church on Iona, and his invasion of the Clyde which was cut short by his death at Renfrew in 1164.

Surveys the historical background of handwriting usage, with emphasis on changing fashions. This book provides guidance on how to deal with early language and abbreviations. It is suitable for research students, local historians, genealogists, and calligraphers.

Land for the People? was joint winner of the Hume Brown Senior Prize in Scottish History in 1995. Covers a previously neglected period which nevertheless saw the formative legislation and policies that shape Highland life.

This book explores the western seaboard of Scotland - the Hebrides, Argyll and the Isle of Man - during the central Middle Ages. While political history predominates, the changing nature of society in the Isles is emphasised throughout.

James III is the most enigmatic of the Stewart kings of Scotland. This study explains why King James was challenged by a huge rebellion in 1482, which he narrowly survived, and why he succumbed to a further rising in 1488, which placed his eldest son on the throne as James IV.

Outlining the history of settlement and work, this volume considers the working lives of those engaged in feeding, housing and protecting the population, those who work to keep the population healthy, and those who are engaged in work of the imagination rather than work to meet material needs.

Examines the variety in Scottish 'home life', and considers what has shaped its society. This book in fourteen volumes, aims to examine the interlocking strands of history, language and traditional culture within an international context and their contribution to the making of a national identity.

Examines the interlocking strands of history, language and traditional culture within an international context and their contribution to the making of a national identity. Each of the fourteen volumes is an examination of a societal topic and helps understand what has shaped Scottish society.