New Ways Through the Glens

New Ways Through the Glens
By A.R.B. Haldane
247 pages, Hardbound

In this book, first published in 1962, the author gave the first detailed account of the great engineer Thomas Telford and his colleagues in their work in the Highlands of Scotland. An original and definitive work, the book was described by "The Scotsman as 'Dr Haldane's brilliant history'.

The Author deals first with the history of Highland roads before 1800 and the social and economic considerations which forced the government into action; he then considers the problems which faced the Commissioners and describes the many difficulties which had to be overcome in the early phases of their work. Finally he addresses the later development of the road and canal systems, with the subsequent benefits brought to the Highlands despite the challenge of climate and terrain.

The reader will take great pleasure from this book, the pages of which paint with no little colour a picture of Scotland in the early years of the last century and of the great work of reconstruction so fundamental to the population and prosperity of the Highlands.