A Wild Call: One Man's Voyage in Pursuit of Freedom

by Martyn Murray

Overview

Martyn Murray was finding modern life, with all its restrictions and controls, suffocating. Following years of soul-searching, his father's death triggered him into opening the old logbooks and charts to retrace the sailing trips they had once shared together. He determined to revisit those waters and bring home the freedom of the seas. Falling in love with an old ketch in Ireland, he bought and restored her enough to sail back to Scotland. Over the next two summers he cruised Scotland's Western Isles, with one goal: to reach St Kilda – the remotest part of the British Isles, 40 miles from the Outer Hebrides. During his cruising he considered the islanders and their sense of freedom – often restricted by absentee landlords and officialdom. He railed against bureaucracy and commercial enterprise restricting the yachtsman's ability to roam free. For parts of his journey he was joined by the beguiling Kyla; a rare, independent spirit who both excited and frustrated Martyn. But much of Martyn's voyaging was undertaken alone, encountering a variety of places, situations and characters along the way. He attempted his long-awaited sail out to St Kilda through the teeth of a storm, believing that achieving this feat would bring him the freedom and clarity that he craved. What he came up against was far more testing and turbulent than the tides and gales of the North Atlantic. As he sailed back to the mainland things fell into place: a sense of achievement in completing the arduous voyage alone, but – most of all – an understanding of who he is, clarity on his relationship with Kyla and a real sense of his own freedom.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781912177318
Publisher:	Fernhurst Books Limited
Publication date:	10/10/2017
Series:	Making Waves , #4
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Martyn Murray worked in nature conservation, living for many years in the wilds of Africa. He sailed with his father in the Western Isles in his youth. He has also written The Storm Leopard and a bite-sized adaption of Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species.

Table of Contents

Preface 9

Part 1 11

Chapter 1 Wild Boat Chase 13

Chapter 2 Dog Watch 33

Chapter 3 Did We Mean To Go To Sea? 56

Chapter 4 Fatal Flaw 77

Chapter 5 In The Wake of Saints 87

Part 2 103

Chapter 6 Glorious Day of Salvage 105

Chapter 7 The Sea Gypsy 118

Chapter 8 Molio's Cave 130

Chapter 9 Mull of Kintyre 152

Chapter 10 Fiddler's Green 160

Chapter 11 Ring of Bright Bubbles 171

Chapter 12 Stormbound 181

Chapter 13 Wild Mountain Thyme 198

Part 3 209

Chapter 14 Cup and Ring 211

Chapter 15 Wolf Island 229

Chapter 16 Isle of The Great Women 243

Chapter 17 Battle of Dreams 255

Chapter 18 The Dark Laird 271

Chapter 19 Piloting a Craft Called Freedom 277

Chapter 20 Flight of The Fulmar 287

Chapter 21 Abode of Ancestors 303

Chapter 22 Running Free 316

Notes and Sources 324

Glossary of Nautical Terms 332

Editorial Reviews

A Wild Call is one of those all-too-rare books that you just know you are going to remember, a book you can expect to come to mind at odd moments as you encounter the joys and challenges of your own everyday life. It's beautifully written and eminently readable, but what really makes this book special is that it is thought-provoking and inspirational.“ (Undiscovered Scotland website)
“Wonderful heart-warming tale, looking at the bonds of family and freedom of adventure… This book is truly a treat for anyone who loves sailing, Scotland, adventure, or just a good story. Highly recommended.” (Sailing Today)
“Thought-provoking account of one man’s Scottish cruise north towards St Kilda and much more.” (Sailing Today)

From the Publisher

A very enjoyable read.

Royal Cruising Club

A Wild Call would be a good read for many, especially those with an interest in sailing and the Scottish waters. The book also covers themes such as love and friendship throughout, making it heart-warming and enjoyable to read. Overall, A Wild Call is a very gentle and satisfying book.

Scottish Field