PICTURE SPECIAL: Hollywood celebrities, 80s pop sensations and local artists celebrate launch of ‘Langwell’ book at Berriedale
The picturesque village of Berriedale played host to the great and the good, along with a few celebrities, for the launch of a well-researched book on the Langwell Estate and its historical significance.
The 30,000-acre estate, owned by the Dukes of Portland since 1858 and now part of the Welbeck Estates, is the subject of Langwell: The History of a Caithness Estate and its Management 1750-1850 by the late Michael Moss, along with William Parente.
On the evening of October 16, a select group of locals mingled with friends and family of the authors at Berriedale Portland Hall, along with a few celebrities such as the daughter of legendary Hollywood actor Jack Palance and the lead singer of 80s alternative pop sensations Orange Juice.
Mr Parente spoke about the co-author of the lavishly illustrated 320-page book, saying: “[Michael Moss] passed away during Covid, but he did not die of it. He wasn’t able to be transferred to Glasgow, where he needed to be, due to the restrictions.
“Michael was an economic historian and an expert archivist. He was the driving force behind all the research, intellectually fearless and incredibly hardworking. He ferreted his way to all the records, and that is the basis of the book.”
Mr Moss, who died in 2021, was an emeritus professor of archival science at the University of Northumbria and was previously a research professor in archival studies at the University of Glasgow.
Mr Parente said his main motivation came through an in-depth analysis of the surrounding estate and the “hidden history” of ruined buildings and former drove roads. “I always wanted to delve into it and find out what happened here at Langwell. The 5th Duke of Portland bought it in 1857, and it’s been in my family ever since.”
The author has also worked in theatre and film finance on titles including Waking Ned and The Trench. He wrote the Scotsman’s film column from 1980-92.
The book contains lesser-known historical facts about not only the estate but also Caithness and Sutherland in general, spanning the turbulent period of the 18th and 19th centuries, during which civil unrest occurred and the notorious Highland Clearances took place. “The economic events that were happening, in often quite distant places, with herring fishing, the price of saltpetre or the cost of sheep, all these things influenced what was happening at Langwell.”
Mr Parente spoke to the audience at some length about the significance of the Langwell book and the important role of his friend and late co-author, Michael Moss. A few family members of Mr Moss appeared quite emotional at the event, including his daughter Philippa and widow Lynne.
Among the guests at the event was the daughter of legendary Hollywood actor Jack Palance and her husband, Robert Bruce Wallace, who had been a managing editor for Rolling Stone magazine.
Holly Palance, who also worked in big-budget movies like her father, said she had travelled to Caithness with her late father at the age of 17, when he considered buying Dunbeath Castle. “I was the nanny in The Omen,” she said. “I threw myself off the roof screaming, ‘It’s all for you, Damien!’.
“I was also Robin Williams’ wife in The Best of Times and in a movie called Under Fire. I do narration for audiobooks now.”
Another well-known figure at the event was the lead singer of the alternative rock band Orange Juice, which had a string of hits in the 1980s. Edwyn Collins now lives in Helmsdale with his wife and manager, Grace Maxwell.
“My grandfather was born in Helmsdale, and I went on holiday there every year. I was furious when they knocked down the castle there back in 1971.” He said that he still creates music from his studio in Helmsdale.
Manager of the Langwell estate, Anson MacAuslan, was at the event with his daughters Mollie and Elsie, who helped with dishing out canapes and refreshments to guests.
Mr MacAuslan helped provide details for the book but had not seen the final copy until the launch event. “The book covers a time that has a very complicated history and the Clearances were a terrible part of Highland history, but they weren’t a simple thing – many forces came together to cause it to happen.”
The 320-page book is lavishly illustrated and contains colour plates of maps and artworks connected with the area. Editor Eleo Carson, who worked on ‘Langwell’ for six years, said she was delighted that 50 copies were sold on the evening.
“I think of particular interest are the contemporary records, memoirs, anecdotes, court records, much of which has never been written about before,” she added.
“Also very interesting is the material on the droving trade and Sir John Sinclair’s innovations. He was an amazing, farsighted man.”
The Langwell book uses original research and archival sources, including first-hand reports, court records, letters and contemporary newspapers. It sheds light on the lives of the crofters, their landlords, the sheep economy, droving trade and the fishing industry.
Annie Tindley from Newcastle University calls ‘Langwell’ “an absolutely essential read” that will be a landmark text for the history “not only of Caithness or the Highlands, but for rural communities across Scotland and globally”.
Langwell: The History of a Caithness Estate and its Management 1750-1850 is available from Edinburgh University Press and various bookshops. It is also for sale on Amazon at: www.amazon.co.uk/Langwell-History-Caithness-Management-1750-1850/dp/1399549065
The hardback retails at £100, and a softcover version is planned.