Mr. Standfast · Chapter
VI: The Skirts of the Coolin explained
Hannay, undercover as Cornelius Brand, continues his journey through the Scottish Highlands toward Skye.
What happens
Hannay, undercover as Cornelius Brand, continues his journey through the Scottish Highlands toward Skye. He stays with a shepherd named Macmorran, meets Andrew Amos who brings news of the Tobermory's arrival at Ranna, and arranges a food cache. He then finds lodging with an elderly fisherman and his wife, who take him by boat to Skye. The fisherman laments the historical evictions and loss of crofting communities, providing Hannay with a poignant glimpse into the past.
Themes in this chapter
Fortitude and Endurance
Hannay endures harsh conditions, rough terrain, and hunger while maintaining his mission focus.
Class and Social Division
The fisherman's lament over historical land clearances highlights the deep social and economic divides between lairds and crofters.
Characters to notice
- Richard Hannay
Travels under the alias Cornelius Brand, navigating the Highlands toward Skye.
- Andrew Amos
Meets Hannay on the road, delivers news of the Tobermory and a message from Mary Lamington.
- Abel Gresson
Mentioned by Amos as a stirring lad, indicating he is a potential threat.
- Mary Lamington
Sends a message via Amos, urging Hannay to return to Vanity Fair after overcoming the Hill Difficulty.
Key passages
“He was a very good imitation of a savage, a little fellow with red hair and red eyes, who might have been a Pict.”
The shepherd Macmorran looked like a primitive, small man with red hair and eyes, reminiscent of an ancient Pict.
Hannay's vivid description of the shepherd's appearance and demeanor.
“I’m a Tory myself and a bit of a land-reformer, so we agreed well enough.”
Hannay identifies as a conservative who also supports land reform, finding common ground with the fisherman.
Hannay's political stance and his empathy for the crofter's grievances.
“It was far more than a political grievance. It was the lament of the conservative for vanished days and manners.”
The fisherman's complaints were not just political; they were a nostalgic mourning for a lost way of life.
Hannay reflects on the deeper cultural loss behind the land disputes.