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ABSTRACT ALL sorts of epithets have recently been applied to Oban—the Brighton of Scotland, by those whose highest ideal of heaven is “London by the Sea”; the future Liverpool of the North,
according to one of its most constant wooers, that enthusiastic Celt, Prof. Blackie; the “Charing Cross of the Highlands,” a picturesque placard of one of the railway companies informs the
public. But to those who have been there and know from impressive experience all the romantic beauties of island and loch and rugged coast to which the modern Argyllshire coast town is the
key, no epithet however ingenious is half so expressive and beautiful as simple “Oban” itself, especially since the “Princess of Thule” has shed a glory over all the Western Islands from
Stornoway southwards. But there is the glamour of a story much older than that which William Black has told so well hovering around some of the lochs and headlands in the neighbourhood of
Oban. It is this old old story which is told in the anonymous volume before us, the author of which, were we at liberty to reveal his name, our readers would recognise as one occupying a
very high rank in a certain department of physical science. The story is that of the early migrations of the Irish Scots to the land which for the last 800 years has borne their name. By the
help of a somewhat clumsy dialogue the author takes the reader to some of the localities in and around Loch Etive mentioned, in the half-legendary record which remains of these early
migrations. He seeks to reproduce the stirring life of the time and localities, takes us to the spots where the Irish emigrants and their distant kinsmen came in contact, unearths the ruins
of their houses and forts, and the remains of their household utensils and warlike weapons. The work has, however, wider bearings than its immediate subject, and several important points
connected with the early “Aryan” migrations are discussed in a style much more in accordance with the canons of scientific investigation, and therefore of common sense, than is usual with
those who are in the habit of handling such subjects. The chapter on the Celts is specially interesting; its breadth of view is admirable. The author's discussion of the question of
Celt and Saxon, Aryan and non-Aryan, and in connection therewith the subject of mixture of race, is an excellent specimen of close reasoning, and we strongly commend it to the study of
“Saxon” and “Celtic” enthusiasts. To those who read this work with care and with the help of a good map a new interest will be added to Oban and its vicinity, which is now rendered so
accessible by the opening of the Oban Railway. The numerous illustrations will be found really helpful; and grand and musical as the names of many of the places illustrated are in
themselves, they will be clothed with a lively significance to those who take the trouble to study the legends of the Sons of Uisnach. _Loch Etive and the Sons of Uisnach_. With
Illustrations. (London: Macmillan and Co.) Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution ACCESS OPTIONS Access
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22, 289 (1880). https://doi.org/10.1038/022289a0 Download citation * Issue Date: 29 July 1880 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/022289a0 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share the following link
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