Thistle Soup: A Ladleful of Scottish Life

by PeterKerr (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  2004

  $20.61

  Scottish legend has it that a medieval concoction made from the pulp of the Sow Thistle was once used to treat liver ailments. Called thistle soup, it was also believed to be extremely beneficial to lactating mothers and wet nurses. This long-lost recipe of the highlands has yet to be recovered . . . East Lothian is The Garden of Scotland and the setting of this delightfully idiosyncratic story of country life. Often hilarious, always heartfelt, and at times sad, here unfold the ups and downs of four generations of one farming family from the northerly Orkney Isles, who move to the little farm of Cuddy Neuk in the south of Scotland just before the outbreak of World War II. A young Peter, the peedie boy who sets his heart on filling his somewhat eccentric grandfather's straw-lined wellies, grows up to run the family farm and become a farmer father to his own sons, putting his ability to see the funny side of things to good use, as adversities crop up with an intriguing regularity.

• Used

  Paperback
  2002

  $4.20

  'Hold on tight, peedie boy, thoo's safe enough, boy, I'll look out for thee - never fret. East Lothian, 'The Garden of Scotland' and the setting of a delightfully idiosyncratic story of country life. Often hilarious, always heartfelt and at times sad, here is unfolded the ups and downs of four generations of one farming family from the northerly Orkney Isles, who move to the little farm of Cuddy Neuk in the south of Scotland just before the outbreak of the Second World War. Through the candid eyes of young Peter, the peedie boy who sets his heart on following in his somewhat eccentric grandfather's footsteps, is revealed an endearing - and never dull - Scottish story. Growing up to step into his grandfather's straw-lined wellies to run the family farm, Peter becomes a farmer father to his own sons and puts his ability to see the funny side of things to good use, as adversities crop up with an intriguing regularity ...'Pawky' rural characters, drunken ghosts, bullocks in the bedrooms, practical jokes, obscure customs and country superstitions are all added to the historic pot: a brimming and lively broth of thistle soup!