
A vivid portrait of late‑Victorian Scotland unfolds in a small glen where land and livelihood are negotiated like a chess match. Gormack, a seasoned farmer with a sharp wit and a reverent upbringing, finds his world upended when a city‑born merchant attempts to modernise the ancient farms with ventilators, glass windows and even a gadget for peeling turnips. The resulting clash of tradition and ambition turns the ordinary business of leasing land into a lively spectacle, full of gossip, comic misunderstandings and the keen observation of a community that watches every move from the kirkyard.
Through crisp dialect and warm humor, the story reveals how a single lease can become a stage for diplomacy, pride and the stubborn resilience of rural folks. As rivalries spark and alliances shift, listeners are invited into a world where even the humblest byre can inspire grand debate, and where the everyday struggles of farmers echo larger questions of progress and identity.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (351K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger
Release date
2013-09-15
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1850–1907
Best known for warm, vividly drawn stories of Scottish village life, this late-Victorian writer reached a huge popular audience with tales set in the fictional Drumtochty. He was also a minister and public speaker, bringing moral seriousness and humor together in both fiction and nonfiction.
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