The Hebrides hold a special place in Scotland and England's imagination. On the outer edge of the British Isles and facing the Atlantic Ocean, these iconic islands form part of Europe's frontiers. Their unique location has placed them at the heart of an ancient network of sea routes, resulting in a history of cultures clashing and merging. They are home to a long and rich Gaelic tradition that has attracted saints and sinners, artists and writers, inspiring both awe and terror as well as deep attachment.

Madeline Bunting traveled the Hebrides for more than six years, exploring their landscapes, stories, and magnetic allure. With great sensitivity and insight, she analyzes the concepts of home and existence, which are experienced on these islands with both tragedy and profound resilience. She finds that the history of alienation and emigration has played a role in Britain's colonial past. Perhaps more significant is the extent of the islands' influence on ideas of Britishness. "Love for the Country" shows how the islands' history serves as a backdrop for contemporary debates about the relationship between our nations, how Britain came to be, and what it means to be British—for better or for worse.