Gavin Maxwell exhibition
The “Longroom”, home of the Gavin Maxwell Exhibition, is a reconstruction of his 40ft living room with original artefacts, recreated by Virginia Mckenna.
“The Long Room was a room for sitting and looking; it reflected the life of a fascinating man; it was a room thick with the atmosphere of travel and adventure and excitement.”
from ‘The White Island’, by John Lister-Kaye
Step into the enchanting world of Gavin Maxwell, where the spirit of adventure and the beauty of nature intertwine. As you wander through the Longroom, allow the whispers of his remarkable journey to captivate your imagination, from the lush landscapes of Soay to the mesmerizing tales of the Marsh Arabs.
Here, every artefact tells a story, from the beloved otters that graced his life to the profound connections he forged with the wild. This immersive experience not only celebrates Maxwell’s legacy but also invites you to explore the intricate relationship between humanity and the natural world, reminding us all of the delicate balance that sustains our shared existence.
Books and References
Trilogy: Ring of Bright Water / The Rocks Remain / Raven Seek Thy Brother
ISBN 0140290494
An online biography by Maxwell’s nephew Sir Michael Maxwell, is available at http://www.maxwellsociety.com/Biography/Artists.htm
Biography: Gavin Maxwell – a life (1993) by Douglas Botting.
ISBN 1897784856
Maxwell’s Ghost by his good friend Richard Frere
ISBN: 1841580031
White Island by John Lister-Kaye
The story of how John was invited to Eilean Bàn by Maxwell to help write a book on British mammals and to help convert the island into a private zoo for birds and mammals of the West Highlands.
The title Ring of Bright Water is taken from the poem ‘The Marriage of Psyche’, by Kathleen Raine (1908-2003). Raine talks of her relationship with Maxwell in the third volume of her autobiography, The Lion’s Mouth (1977). Some of Kathleen’s poems can be found online.
A stone monument to Maxwell can be found at Sandaig (Camusfearna), positioned in the location of his old writing desk. There is also a monument to the otter Edal, who died in the fire at Camusfearna (see Sandaig Walk).
Some information on the film version of Ring of Bright water (directed by Jack Couffer) can be found at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064893/
The Status of Iraq Smooth-Coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli can be found at the IUCN Otter Specialist Group
Winifred Nicholson painting: View from Gavin Maxwell’s (Hebridean Flowers), 1958. Oil on canvas, 57 x 69 cm.
