What makes Scottish art Scottish? In this now classic text, Murdo Macdonald explores the distinctive characteristics of Scottish art over the centuries - such as the heritage of Celtic design with its emphasis on intricate pattern; the importance of the landscape, particularly the Highlands and the sea; and a close connection with France. It ranges from the earliest art to survive - Neolithic standing stones - through the art of the Picts and Gaels, and the tumultuous centuries of the Reformation, to the great flowering of Scottish art in the Enlightenment. The final chapters focus closely on art produced since 1900, with succinct and revealing analyses of the Scottish Colourists and the major figures of contemporary art in all media. Masterpieces from the Book of Kells to paintings by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Joan Eardley are illustrated in full colour, and such key works are set in a clearly explained historical context throughout. At a time when issues of Scottish identity are the subject of fierce debate, Macdonald's lucid and deeply researched book makes a significant contribution to the understanding of Scotland's artistic past and present. With 208 illustrations in colour

An Edinburgh Classic edition of the cornerstone work on Scotland's intellectual identity First published in 1961, The Democratic Intellect provoked a re-evaluation of Scotland's philosophy of itself. George Davie's account of the history of the movements which set Scotland apart from its neighbours, and of the great personalities involved, has proved seminal in restoring to Scotland a sense of the value of its unique cultural identity. Scotland's approach to higher education has always been distinctive. From the inauguration of its first universities, the accent was on first principles, and this broad, philosophical interpretation unified the approach to knowledge - even of mathematics and science. The resulting generalist tradition contrasted with the specialism of the two English universities, Oxford and Cambridge. It stood Scotland in good stead, characterising its intellectual life even into the nineteenth century when economic, social and political pressures enforced an increasing conformity to English models. The Democratic Intellect is rightly a benchmark in Scotland's intellectual heritage and continues to have a marked influence on those now promoting enquiry and improvement within our colleges and universities.

Patrick Geddes is one of Scotland's most remarkable thinkers of the late-nineteenth century. His environmental and cultural message endures today, yet the distinctively Scottish context to his thinking has not been properly acknowledged. This book situates Geddes within his own intellectual background (described by George Davie as 'the democratic intellect') and explores the relevance of that background to Geddes's substantial national and international achievements across a truly impressive range of disciplines. Key Features: Explores Patrick Geddes Scottish intellectual background in depth for the first time; Highlights Geddes's insistence on the importance of arts to sciences and vice versa, and the distinctively Scottish context of this approach; Considers the interdisciplinary achievements of Geddes in Edinburgh, Dundee, Paris, London and India; Pays particular attention to his leadership of the Celtic Revival both from a Scottish perspective and with respect to international links, in particular with Indian cultural revivalists such as Ananda Coomaraswamy.

Patrick Geddes is one of Scotland's most remarkable thinkers of the late-nineteenth century. His environmental and cultural message endures today, yet the distinctively Scottish context to his thinking has not been properly acknowledged. This book situates Geddes within his own intellectual background (described by George Davie as 'the democratic intellect') and explores the relevance of that background to Geddes's substantial national and international achievements across a truly impressive range of disciplines. Key Features: Explores Patrick Geddes Scottish intellectual background in depth for the first time; Highlights Geddes's insistence on the importance of arts to sciences and vice versa, and the distinctively Scottish context of this approach; Considers the interdisciplinary achievements of Geddes in Edinburgh, Dundee, Paris, London and India; Pays particular attention to his leadership of the Celtic Revival both from a Scottish perspective and with respect to international links, in particular with Indian cultural revivalists such as Ananda Coomaraswamy.

This book, The Yoga of the Christ, is a continuation of and a sequel to Beyond the Himalayas and it describes that never-to-be forgotten sojourn with my friend, the journey to Zamsar and back to so-called civilization as we know it, to fulfill the task allotted to me. . . A Gnostic Audio Selection includes free access to streaming audio book. Upon purchase of this book you will receive access to the streaming audio book for your online listening. Gnostic Audios are streaming ONLY, and are not downloadable. Listen from your computer, phone or any device connected to the internet.

Beyond the Himalayas is a personal account of the awakening spirituality within the author through his soul-changing encounters with spiritual Masters in Tibet and throughout the Himalayas. This story creates a rich tapestry against the background of the mighty Himalayas at a time when Tibet was a free country prior to the Chinese invasion in 1950 and the subsequent destruction of more than 6,000 monasteries and learning centres. This pilgrimage led to the author's rich and fulfilled life as healer, author and lecturer which has inspired thousands all over the world to this day. Mentored by many great lamas in monasteries throughout Tibet and the Himalayas, Dr MacDonald-Bayne gives the reader a pristine view of an uncluttered spirituality unaffected by dogma and formality. Written towards the end of the author's life it remains a classic in metaphysical writing, a quality shared by its equally famous sequel, The Yoga of the Christ.

The true account of a man drawn to explore the mysteries of Tibetan spirituality hidden from the outside world for centuries. The story begins in the Highlands of Scotland and quickly moves to the 'roof of the world' in the Himalayas where questions are put, and answers revealed, by Master teachers in the monasteries on the High Plateau. Set at a time before the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1950 and the destruction of hundreds of monasteries and the torture and murder of monks that followed, Dr MacDonald-Bayne gives the reader a rare glimpse of life as it was, amongst these deeply spiritual and peaceful people. He returned to teach and lecture throughout the world following his life-changing encounters with his spiritual mentors in what was a peaceful land of higher thought. This is the sequel to the author's earlier work, Beyond the Himalayas.

This book is a restless chronology of works by Australian-born, internationally exhibiting artist Richard Dunn (b. 1944) who explores the contemporary potential of art with full awareness of its modernist heritage. Thinking Pictures includes Dunn's own foreword and notes on his work, providing an insight into his thinking, of which this book is an illuminating, partial archive. It reveals how Dunn's visually seductive and speculative works explore the perception and interpretation of the social and historical context of art. Dunn uses a variety of materials and formal orientations—photography, realist painting, abstract constructions, filmic montage and digital techniques, installations, light and sound—as strategies to interact with and subvert conventional styles of image-making to reveal something new and current. Dunn seeks to engage us in his exploration of how we perceive the particularities of place, including history, architecture, and ideas, bringing together the personal and the global.

Town planning. Interest-led, open-minded education. Preservation of buildings with historical worth. All are so central to modern society that our age tends to claim these notions as its own. In fact they were first visualised by Sir Patrick Geddes, a largely forgotten Victorian Scot and one of the greatest forward thinkers in history. In turns a gardener, biologist, conservationist, social evolutionist and town planner, he spent many years conserving and restoring Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile at a time when most decaying buildings were simply torn down. With these plans of renovation came the importance of education – as the development of the Outlook Tower, his numerous summer schools and his Collège des Ecossais in Montpellier illustrate. It is in India where his name is most widely known. It was here that possibly the greatest example of Geddes’ belief in ‘people planning’ can be seen and which took the form of pedestrian zones, student accommodation for women, and urban diversification projects in Edinburgh. Indeed, his influence travelled around the world, through the people he met and inspired, and has survived after his death.