This compelling book, written by the acclaimed Gaelic poet Myles Campbell and his wife Margaret, tells the amazing story of how they were brought together and how these uncanny or providential events were instrumental in converting Myles to Christianity.
The book also contains new poetry by Myles in Gaelic and English.
Professor Donald Macleod, formerly Principal of the Free Church College, said:
‘This book offers three for the price of one: the spiritual autobiographies of both a Gaelic poet and his wife, interspersed with learned excursions into the scientific findings and philosophical theories which so deeply colour life in today’s western world. It is a story of fulfilled dreams and divine coincidences, interrupted by encounters with Jung and echoes of the Big Bang. Very human at its heart, and tinged with mysticism, yet unmistakeably reflecting its own time; and a fascinating reminder that scientist, poet and religious seeker can happily inhabit one and same mind.’
Myles Campbell was born in Skye and is one of the most talented Gaelic poets of his generation. Margaret (nee Smith) was born in Lewis. John Randall, chairman of the publishers the Islands Book Trust, believes this island background is fundamental:
‘The story told by Myles and Margaret Campbell in this book is inextricably linked to their island upbringing and cultural background, to the extent that it is unlikely to have been written in these terms by people less familiar with the traditional ‘world view’ of island societies . It is a very personal story, and one which honestly seeks to understand and interpret the events they have experienced and the conflicting intellectual and religious ideas to which they have been exposed.’
Myles and Margaret will be giving four presentations for Faclan 2011 in Uist, Barra, Harris, and Lewis. The Stornoway session takes the form of a conversation between Professor Macleod and the Campbells about their personal and religious experiences, with readings from the new book.