Reviews
Undiscovered Scotland 7 Nov 2023
"Art & Nature in the Outer Hebrides" by Bruce Kendrick is a deeply personal, idiosyncratic and fascinating book that should be considered an essential companion for anyone planning a visit to the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides. There are plenty of guidebooks available that tell you what to see and do and where to stay and eat in the Western Isles, but Bruce Kendrick isn't in competition with any of them. This is a book that gets you thinking about what lies beneath the surface presented by the more usual guidebooks: about the archipelago's people, especially its artists, and about the rich natural world of the islands. This is a book I thoroughly enjoyed and one I will keep to hand and read again before my next visit to the Outer Hebrides.
Our Man On The Ground – Travel and Lifestyle 6th Nov 2023
Beautiful Outer Hebrides in Scotland is packed with stunning nature and wildlife and is often captured best on canvas. Photographer Bruce Kendrick has done just that through his new and impressive book Art and Nature in the Outer Hebrides. The book by Whittles Publishing, priced £18.99, will appeal to anyone who loves creative arts, nature writing, the environment, wildlife and of course, the Outer Hebrides.
The armchair reader is taken on a single journey from Lewis in the north to Vatersay, in the south and the synergy between art and nature is explored through the work of several artists. It reveals how heritage in this remote corner of Europe influences both art and craft and the book is richly illustrated with more than 100 of the author’s images of both the work of the artists and the magnificent nature of the landscape.
Bruce’s writing has been recommended by the British Naturalists Association with the plaudit:
“Beautifully observed, exquisitely written, and a joy to read. …will be certain to delight anyone with an interest in the natural world. Thoroughly recommended”.
The Wryneck
This is all fascinating stuff as, earlier in the book, are the author’s delightful photographs of such birds as great skua, white-tailed eagle, red-throated diver, golden plover and red-necked phalarope, not to mention his vividly-recalled description of his own special moments with rare birds.
The author's narrative purrs along in a smoothly oiled conversational tone which is most engaging - so much so that it seems a shame that, no doubt through personal modesty, he refrains from revealing anything about himself. Where is he from, what is his career background, does he have a family? Perhaps all will be revealed in some future book.
Stockists
£18.99 in all good bookshops and online.
