A Letter from North Ronaldsay 1990-1999

More than thirty years of Ian Scott's letters from North Ronaldsay provide an intimate glimpse into the relentlessly changing world of one island community played out against a dramatic backdrop of land, sea and sky.

The author describes traditional skills - planting and harvest, twisting simmans rope, sheep dyke building and lobster fishing - and recalls earlier generations with great tenderness.

Ian's interests give him unique insight into his island home. His writings recall much that is irretrievably lost to the passing of time and celebrate all that remains.

After studying at Gray's School of Art, Ian returned to his native island, where he continued to paint and sculpt. His landscape paintings hang in many homes and public collections. Ian's public works include the Longhope and Fraserburgh Lifeboat Memorials, a statue of Arctic explorer Dr John Rae and busts of George Mackay Brown and Stanley Cursiter.