Description of the Western Isles of Scotland called Hybrides; by Mr Donald Monro High Dean of the Isles, who travelled through most of them in the year 1549. With His Geneologies of the Chief Clans of the Isles. To which is added: I. An Account of Hirta and Rona; by the Lord Register Sir George McKenzie of Tarbat, never before published. II.A Description of Saint Kilda, by Mr. Alexander Buchan, late minister there. III. A Voyage to Saint Kilda in 1697, by M. Martin Gentleman.

Edinburgh: William Auld, Printer, 1774 The first edition in English, and Scots English. Hard cover,16 mo in full sheep, with five gilt edged raided bands, the title on an applied label in blind to the spine. Collation: (2)(2) "7" [Contents page] (1) (1-48)[Description of the Western Isles of Scotland called Hybrides.] (1549/ 1773) (2), (51-54) [Geneologies of the Chief Clans of the Isles by Monro]; (2) (55-59 )[Observations Upon Surnames by The Rt. Hon. Earl of Marchmont, n.d.],( 62-64 )[an Account of Hirta and Rona] i-iv, 65-70, [Description of Saint Kilda, alias Hirta by Rev. Alexander Buchan, 1773], (71-159) [A Voyage to Saint Kilda, M. Martin Gent., 1773.] The first edition in English of a set of important historical accounts of the Western Isles of Scotland. Monro's was the first known written description of the Hebrides, first published in Latin in 1582. Condition: Good. Front hinge loose. Back hinge cracked. Main title page has piece missing from the top, and a further closed tear to the fore edge (repaired). Stains, ink smudges and moderate soiling throughout. Stamped twice upon first title page," Sibbald" This may relate to the onetime ownership of the family of the noted natural history scientist at Edinburgh University, Sir Robert Sibbald (1641-1742), also a founder of the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens, who's name also appears as a source in the text of Part I. ****The original compiler and author of this volume, Sir Donald Monro, (1526-1574), styled himself High Dean of the Isles, carrying on a family tradition of clergyhood comprising at least part of the Isle of Skye and Isle of Raasay. He was briefly in political hot water over his support of Mary Queen of Scots, who was forced to abdicate the Scottish throne in favor of her son, James VI, in 1567. The rumblings of the Scottish Reformation caused Monro to cast off the mantel of Catholicism. His reputation would be rehabilitated under the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland as a Commissioner.**Author M. (Martin) Martin, author of Part III, was recommended by Sibbald to the task of gathering natural specimens during his explorations of St. Kilda, taken during 1697 and later. ** Edinburgh-born Printer William Auld ( 1736-1777) was also publisher of the "Edinburgh Weekly Journal." He was in partnership with the printer William Ruddiman at Morocco's Close, Lawnmarket from1761-65; Ruddiman was the guardian of the young William Preston, who would leave for London and in the 1760's and would go on to pen the very successful "Illustrations of Masonry" (see our listing 8952). ESTC T90619.. First Edition . Hard Cover. Good.