Exploring Solway Firth History

Author: Philip Nixon

Exploring Solway Firth History

Full colour / hardback

Exploring Solway Firth History is a celebration of an area of outstanding natural beauty, blending contemporary photography with historical fact. This is an area overflowing with legend, folklore and mystery, at once the pivotal centre of Britain and the fault line between two warring nations.
Sheep now safely graze on the tidal marshes, the wild geese and curlews settle peacefully and the feuding days have gone, but for most of its history this was a place of outstading natural violence. It was once part of the most dangerous frontier in Europe, subject to invasion, raid, counter raid, general lawlessness and havoc.
It has a subtle, haunting charm. On the Scottish side the majestic Criffel frames miles of mudflats reflecting the colours of huge sunsets, and the haaf netters still fish for salmon like their Viking ancestors. On the English side the plain rises to meet Skiddaw and Blencathra standing sentinel in the background. Lying in between is the silver ribbon of the Solway.
It has witnessed the full pageant of history. Hadrian, St Patrick, William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, Mary Queen of Scots, Charles Edward Stuart all had a role to play in the tale, and the tellers included Sir Walter Scott and Robbie Burns. Flickering tantalisingly in the background are King Arthur and Merlin...
The Solway doesn’t flaunt itself. Its extraordinary story is just waiting to be discovered and we hope that the photographs and text will tempt you to delve a little further.