Wild Island: A Year in the Hebrides

This is a book for anyone interested in wildlife, for art lovers, for tourists wanting a memento of their holiday, for everyone who loves the west coast of Scotland. It depicts a year in the life of Oronsay, a remote island that is farmed by the RSPB for the benefit of wildlife, and follows artist Jane Smith, as she attempts to portray the interactions of wildlife, farm animals and human inhabitants. A humorous, firsthand, personal view of island life, both human and otherwise, and is illustrated with Jane Smith’s vibrant and acutely observed sketches, paintings and prints. Themes include: • The trials of a wildlife artist – what does it feel like to sit in a bog all day? •  Natural history – from otters to oil beetles, this book is full of wild encounters.  • West coast living – the ridiculous things that happen when living on a remote island, cut off from the rest of the world.