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Exploring
Solway Firth History
Hugh Dias and Philip Nixon
Exploring Solway Firth History is a celebration
of an area of outstanding natural beauty, blending
contemporary photography with historical fact. This
is an area overflowing with legend, folklore and
mystery, at once the pivotal centre of Britain and
the fault line between two warring nations.
Sheep now safely graze on the tidal marshes, the
wild geese and curlews settle peacefully and the
feuding days have gone, but for most of its history
this was a place of outstading natural violence.
It was once part of the most dangerous frontier in
Europe, subject to invasion, raid, counter raid,
general lawlessness and havoc.
It has a subtle, haunting charm. On the Scottish
side the majestic Criffel frames miles of mudflats
reflecting the colours of huge sunsets, and the haaf
netters still fish for salmon like their Viking ancestors.
On the English side the plain rises to meet Skiddaw
and Blencathra standing sentinel in the background.
Lying in between is the silver ribbon of the Solway.
It has witnessed the full pageant of history. Hadrian,
St Patrick, William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, Mary
Queen of Scots, Charles Edward Stuart all had a role
to play in the tale, and the tellers included Sir
Walter Scott and Robbie Burns. Flickering tantalisingly
in the background are King Arthur and Merlin...
The Solway doesn’t flaunt itself. Its extraordinary
story is just waiting to be discovered and we hope
that the photographs and text will tempt you to delve
a little further.
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About the
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