Scots and the Sea

It is no wonder then that the sea has shaped Scotland and in turn the Scots have helped to shape maritime history, trade and communications.

Scots and the Sea provides a compelling account of a small, sparsely populated country’s relationship with the sea, celebrating the courage and endurance of fishermen and their families, the bravery of lifeboat volunteers, and the brilliance of leaders like Admiral Cochrane, who helped establish free nations across the globe.

Scotland’s proud maritime tradition is charted through a volume which examines the development of trade, the founding of the Scottish merchant navy and the pressures towards union with England. It explores ports, harbours and shipyards and outlines the vital role Scotland has played in shipbuilding and marine engineering. Also recounted are the exploits and achievements of Scots such as James Watt, William Symington, Henry Bell and Robert Stevenson. The book also looks into the future, where Scottish research into wave and tidal power could become vital in providing a source of sustainable energy.

The author of this well researched and scholarly account of the role the sea has played in the life of his country is written by a former naval officer in the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf who was present in Tokyo Harbour at the time of the Japanese surrender in 1945.

Scots and the Sea
By James D. G. Davidson
Published by Mainstream Publishing Company (Edinburgh) Ltd.
ISBN 1 84018 977 0 Paperback, 352 pages.
Price £7.99.