Book excerpt: From the abandoned crofts of Mingulay to the standing stones of Orkney, from the white beaches of Colonsay to the spectacular Cuillins of Skye, this is the first complete gazetteer to cover all of Scotland's many hundreds of islands, including both those which are uninhabited and those which are notoriously difficult to reach. Packed with information on access, anchorages, points of historical or natural interest, and things to see and do, this fascinating compendium provides indispensable information for touring, for browsing, for reference, and for all those travellers who wish to sail to some of the most beautiful and remote places in the world. No other book can begin to emulate the range and depth of the information contained in The Scottish Islands. This is an impressive work of reference, providing a fascinating personal view of Scotland's distant outposts. Guide, history, travelogue - it is essential reading for all who love Scotland.