Since the 1960s, policies to 'revive' minority cultures and languages have flourished. But what does it mean to have a 'cultural identity'? And are minorities as deeply attached to their traditions as revival policies suppose? This book is a sophisticated analysis of responses to the 'Gaelic renaissance' in a Scottish Hebridean community.

Sharon Macdonald, Social Anthropology, University of Manchester

Part I: Histories 2 'Our Language, Our Heritage': Imagining Gaelic Culture 3 'The Crofting Community': Land, Religion and the Formation of the Highland People Part II: Identities 4 'A Way of Life': Crofting, Tradition and People 5 'Being Part of the Place': On Belonging 6 'The Last Bastion': The Highland Churches Part III: Cultural Renaissance 7 'From Strength to Strength': Community Revival 8 'Saving the Gaelic': Language Revival and Identity 9 Reflections on Reimagining