Paperback: James McRory Smith lived for over 30 years at Strathchailleach, one of the most remote cottages in the Britain Isles. It was quite possibly the most remote dwelling on the British mainland and it is fair to say it was the last occupied primitive house in Scotland.
Standing in the shadow of the squat stone structure, it is hard to imagine a more isolated spot. The building sits alone in a vast tract of empty, featureless terrain. There is no access road, no running water, no electricity and no telephone. Yet James McRory Smith survived here, battered by the elements and devoid of human company. Why did he choose to live there, facing such hardship?
His story is a fascinating account of a man pitting his wits against the wilderness, enduring endless isolation and existing, for a large part, off the land. James' lifestyle belonged to a bygone age, yet he lived it in the 20th century, turning his back on the luxuries and conveniences of the modern world. The only luxuries in his life were whisky, cigarettes, magazines and books, most of which had been discarded by others.
This biography is an inspiring account of a modern day hermit. It offers a rare insight into an alternative way of life, one that is far removed from the norm. His life at Strathchailleach was a simple one, free of the stresses and strains most of us face on a day-to-day basis. He did not have to worry about finding the money to pay a mortgage, rent or utility bills. A modest income enabled him to buy food, drink and cigarettes and the surrounding land endowed him with a steady supply of fish, game, firewood and peat.
At a time when people are becoming increasingly concerned about consumption and consumerism, and their impact on environment, James McRory Smith's story demonstrates the practicalities and challenges of the frugal, self-sufficient lifestyle many people dream of. James' frugality could hold a lesson for us all. Although it was never his intention to demonstrate an alternative path - he took little interest in what others thought of his lifestyle choices - his simple existence at Strathchailleach shows that human beings can exist, even in this modern age, with few material possessions. His carbon footprint was negligible. He made the most of what he did have, creating very little waste. There was nothing in his life he did not need. Everything he owned was essential to his survival. He had no need for a gym membership - walking kept him healthy to the extent that he never once called on the services of a doctor during his time at Strathchailleach. It is perhaps an extreme example of an environmentally friendly existence, but James was content with it, describing his life as 'perfect'. How many of us can truly say that about our own lives?
Highland Hermit (2012) is not intended simply as a social history, it is also a true-life story of adventure and survival.
About the author: James Carron is a freelance writer, working mainly for consumer magazines, newspapers and book publishers. His interests include hillwalking and backpacking, Scottish history and conservation. He is based in Dundee, Scotland.
Have read this charming timeless work by James Carron and its steady portryal of a man who had chosen to live as a hermit in a remote Bothy near Cape Wrath works its way under your skin. It is all of charming, disturbing, totally engrossing, yet has the essence needed to transport you into a different time, era, place and experience. thank you to both Rory and the author.
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