Pemmican and Portages. The Isle of Lewis, the fur trade and the Hudson's Bay Company.

ADVANCED ORDER. Orders including this title will be shipped to coincide with the book launch on 6th March 2025.

Pemmican and Portages by Angus Macdonald sheds new light on the significant yet overlooked contributions of young Lewis men, often from humble backgrounds, who sought new opportunities with the Hudson’s Bay Company in the 19th century. It provides a fresh perspective on a little known aspect of emigration from Lewis, the North American fur trade, and Arctic exploration during this period.

Drawing on emigrants' journals and other documentary evidence, Macdonald's meticulous research reveals the unique characteristics of this migration stream, contrasting it with other emigration waves from Lewis. The book vividly portrays the motivations, challenges and adventures of these men as they navigated the harsh and unfamiliar environments of North America.

The author also highlights the crucial role which Lewis men played in the Hudson’s Bay Company’s mission to exploit natural resources, establish trading posts, and map the continent. The narrative challenges the romanticised view of the company’s activities, presenting a more nuanced picture of the sometimes harsh reality of emigrant life.

About the author: Angus Macdonald was raised and educated in the hamlet of Breacleit on the island of Great Bernera and is a native Gaelic speaker.  He now lives in West Lothian with his wife and two teenage daughters.  He has been a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors since 1997.

Published: 2025

Author: Angus Macdonald

ISBN:  978-1-907443-90-9