Scottish Social History  

"The Uncommon Herd"

 

  Reviews:
"A Most interesting History of the times" 

 by Jonathan Leask of that Ilk

"The Uncommon Herd: What an amazing and fascinating story" 

 by David Catto -  Aberdeenshire Librarian, local studies


  "This is an authentic and intimate personal story of life in a time now just beyond living memory. It is told in a way that is neither sentimental nor nostalgic, but the facts bring great sympathy from the reader. The landscape remains to this day, but work practices and attitudes have changed, to a degree we should appreciate. The book will be of great interest to readers from this part of Scotland, but the general message is important to us all. I am sorry this book is not available in print, as I have kindle-free friends who would enjoy it."
 by Doreen Robertson of Aberdeen - reviewed the E-book version.


 "William's autobiography is well written and provides a fascinating account of the daily life of rural working class life in 19th century Aberdeenshire. The daily hardships which were endured before the days of waterproof clothing, electric light, easy transport  and instant heating are salutary." 
by Grey Granite, an Aberdeenshire local Historian

Read more HERE   (http://greygranitewalkingtheline.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-uncommon-herd-william-presslie-of.html)

About the Book:

It was said of the Keira Knightley film of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice that you could smell the farm yard in which lived Lizzie and the other Bennets.
William Presslie's book "The Uncommon Herd" also brings to life the sights and smells surrounding the mid 19th Century rural poor of Aberdeenshire, Scotland .
It is difficult to judge which was harder, the day to day unremarked cruelty of schooling or the unrelenting demands of labour on farms, in all weathers and all seasons. William's story is true history populated by remarkable characters from Wellington's disabled soldier, become schoolteacher, to the beautiful Belle and her successful elopement with the unknown lover.
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We learn how farm servants entertained themselves, in those days long before Radio and TV, with stories, songs, poetry and occasional dancing to the fiddle. Despite his hugely disrupted education it becomes clear that William's future lies in the pursuits of the intellect rather than the physical. Having built a reputation for intelligence, reliability and perseverance, a previous employer recommends William for the position of man-servant to John Gordon of Cairnbulg in the House of Leask. Everything falls into place.
Upstairs, Downstairs or connected to the House of Leask are various characters who through William's prose again engage, amuse or even outrage, our sensibilities.

William himself embarks on an upwardly mobile learning curve, which will lead him from the Croft, eventually to the Manse, via his own Schoolroom, all achieved with dedication and some help from the influential Gordons.

This is an exciting and rare example of how an ordinary young man of the Victorian Era makes his way up from a farm servant to his later Priesthood.

This book has been published by the Great Grand Son of William Presslie - Ian William Platt and is based on Ian's Great Grand Father's Manuscript.

This book contains an old MAP with places described in the book, referring to 19th century Aberdeenshire. The cover design was produced by Nadine Platt. The photograph of the House of Leask is a courtesy of photographer Martyn Gorman.


There are many families mentioned in this book. Find yours!

Auld,          Dunbar,   Hunter,         Moir          Thomson
Barclay,      Forest     Johnston       Muir           Thorn
Bisset          Garden,    Kenzie        Nicolson    Tocher

Black          Glennie    Leslie          Pratt           Walker

Booth          Gordon    Lillie           Ramsay      Wilken
Buchan        Gray        Low            Robertson   Williamson

Catto           Grieve     Luther          Ross           Wood

Chivas         Hannah   Macdonald   Simpson     Wynes 

Cowper        Harper    Mars             Stephen

Davidson     Hay         Mathews       Strachan

 In response to comments above and those of other readers, you can now acquire  a Hard copy of the book:




Online purchase:


Paperback  (in $ USD and £GBP) from www.nadinegallery.co.uk 



You are welcome to contact Ian : ianwplatt@gmail.com
Please follow Ian on Twitter and on Facebook

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If you live in Aberdeenshire, you can acquire this book from the following places:

 "Better Read Books & Gifts" book shop
18, Ythan Terrace, Ellon,
Aberdeenshire, AB41 9LJ
Tel: 01358 729922

 "Formartine's"
Tarves, Ellon,
Aberdeenshire, AB41 7NU



  Enjoy the book!