Warriors and Witches and Damn Rebel Bitches

Description

This book begins with a challenge. Take a five-year-old girl growing up in Scotland in 2019. Where might you find Scottish women to inspire her? The further back in history you go, the more of a struggle it becomes.

Warriors & Witches & Damn Rebel Bitches aims to right this wrong. Here are women selected for their wit, wisdom and wickedness, plus the inspiration a modern woman – whether young, old or in between – might take from their experience. This book reads between the lines, in English, Gaelic and in Scots, in the margins and in the gaps, and trusts you will enjoy the company of these Scottish sisters.

The ambitions, frustrations, joys, sorrows and fears of these women offer unique lessons for contemporary readers. Hope, empowerment, inspiration – or reassurance that even at the hardest times, we are not alone.

Many are writers. Some are rulers – from Mary Queen of Scots to Grouch of Scotland. Others are mathematicians, suffragists, astronomers, artists and martyrs. Their stories are teased out – even when women’s words are lost to us, their identities and actions are remembered.

The book also features Maw Broon – hopefully the only long-suffering woman in Scotland so trauchled that she didn’t find time to name her youngest three children!

'I loved these powerful, moving and inspiring stories about women and sisterhood. I know so many activists and change-makers who will connect with this brilliant book and I can't wait to share it with the women in my life.' DAISY BUCHANAN

Product Details

Published: 12th September 2019
Format: Hardback 175x125mm
Extent: 288 pages
ISBN: 9781785302367

Author

Mairi Kidd is Head of Literature, Languages and Publishing at Creative Scotland. She was formerly Managing Director of Barrington Stoke, a prize-winning publisher. A fluent Gaelic speaker, she has an MA in Celtic Studies from Edinburgh University. As CEO of Stòrlann, the National Gaelic Education Resource Agency, she worked with Scottish Government, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and local authorities. Mairi is a contributor to BBC Radio nan Gàidheal's books coverage and writes for broadcast, including Gaelic comedy series FUNC.

Reviews

'I loved these powerful, moving and inspiring stories about women and sisterhood. I know so many activists and change-makers who will connect with this brilliant book and I can't wait to share it with the women in my life.' DAISY BUCHANAN