The Press Gang in Orkney and Shetland

In The Press Gang of Orkney and Shetland, John Robertson brings together a wealth of information collected over four decades of exhaustive scholarship. Combining meticulous research with personal interviews, he gives a fascinating account of a turbulent and oppressive period in the annals of the Northern Isles, mainly, but not exclusively, between the years 1755 and 1815. With large numbers of seafarers and fisherman, the islands were well suited to satisfy the demands of impressment and provided considerable numbers of men to serve mainly in the navy, but also in the army, during what were basically English wars. The author examines the impact of forced recruitment on the lives of Orcadians and Shetlanders at every level of society. Rich sources of archival material, oral tradition and folk memory are related in a clear and engaging manner to create a compelling picture of ordinary people’s experiences of impressment. Illustrated throughout.