The Kingdom of MacBrayne

Today, the ship owner David MacBrayne (1817-1907) is just as well-known as Samuel Cunard. Red-funneled ships which bear his name continue to operate in the West Highlands a century after his death.

In The Kingdom of MacBrayne the authors tell the story of David MacBrayne, his ships and his company, his predecessors, rivals and successors. They explores the world of the early steamships, their successes and failures, as well as their contribution to the ever-changing social fabric of the Highlands and Islands. In addition emigrants, tourists, ordinary travelers and crew members, from engineers to pursers, speak to us in their own words of the ships and their impact on their world.

Lavishly illustrated with drawings, paintings and photographs, and other memorabilia in black-and-white and color, most of them shown here for the first time, this new and expanded edition of The Kingdom of MacBrayne is a magnificent celebration of the whole 'MacBrayne phenomenon' from its beginnings right up to the present day.