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Highland Storytellers
by
Teresa MacIsaac
HIGHLAND STORYTELLERS is a work of creative nonfiction. The narrative finds its basis in the tragic story of the exodus of the Highland Scots from their homeland in the early 1800s and in their noble efforts to create a better life for themselves and their families in Nova Scotia. In this tale, Lewis and Margaret MacDonald and their little daughter, Mairi, confront their fear of what is happening to their homeland, their anguish about leaving, and their uncertainty about what lies ahead―the hardships of their trip across the Atlantic and the challenge of settling in Nova Scotia. We watch as Mairi grows up in the new settlement and follow the journey of her children and grandchildren, voicing their varying aspirations for a better life in a changing world and struggling to achieve them. This fascinating narrative portrays the power and drama of the experiences of the Highland settlers―their worst setbacks and highest attainments. The characters are authentic, and this deeply moving story of their hopes and dreams, joys and sorrows, captures the soul of the Highland Scot.
Teresa MacIsaac is fortunate to have grown up in a family of Highland Scottish descent, who perpetuated the traditional Highland way of life. Hers was a family in which stories about their Highland past were told and retold, and in which the traditional household arts remained central to the production of food and clothing. Fond memories of these traditions gave rise to her desire to learn more about her forebears. To this end, she reviewed a large collection of documents pertaining to the Highland tradition. She supplemented information from these sources by conducting interviews with approximately 100 people of Highland descent. Their moving stories, and the heartfelt manner in which they were told, led MacIsaac to believe that a work of literature would be the most effective vehicle for capturing the power and drama of their experiences, the values of the Highland folk culture, and the character of the Highland people. These sentiments gave rise to HIGHLAND STORYTELLERS. Her research into the Highland tradition also resulted in the publication of a history, entitled A BETTER LIFE: A PORTRAIT OF HIGHLAND WOMEN IN NOVA SCOTIA. In relation to this work, MacIsaac has made a number of television appearances, and one of several presentations on a DVD, entitled HIGHLAND CARAVAN, produced to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Antigonish Highland Games, the oldest Highland Games in North America.
Contributors
- Author
- Teresa MacIsaac
- Editor
- Frances K. Hurley
- Editor
- Scot and Maureen Williams