The Arctic Convoy Museum looks forward to hosting the launch of a new book by Dr Roderick G Maclean of Stornoway.
Never to Return: Convoys to Russia in the Second World War is a fantastic piece of historical research into the Arctic Convoys based at Loch Ewe and the ships crewed by many Gaelic speaking sailors from the Highlands and Islands. This new book is a translation of Dr Maclean’s Gaelic Language book Cha Till Mise, which was shortlisted for the Saltire Society’s Research Book of the Year award in 2023.
Dr Maclean’s research on the Arctic Convoys was driven by a desire to find out more about family member David MacDonald from Waternish (Skye), who was lost when HMS Achates sank on 31st December 1942 during the Battle of the Barents Sea, while escorting Convoy JW51B. It tells the story of the Convoys and the heroes who sailed in them with particular focus on HMS Achates. The book has been described by Dr Ronald Black as a ‘splendidly researched and grippingly presented history of the Arctic Convoys’.
Roderick G Maclean was born in Glasgow in 1954 into a Gaelic speaking household. His
parents were from the Isle of Skye. Roderick has lived and worked in the Isle of Lewis for almost 40 years. In that time, he has been a lecturer at Lews Castle College, Gaelic Museums Education Officer for Museum nan Eilean, and Depute Rector of The Nicolson Institute. He was awarded a PhD in
1994 by the University of Glasgow.
Never to Return will be launched in the Mary Buchanan Room at the Poolewe Hall at 7.30 pm on Friday 14 March 2025 with a talk by Dr Roddy Maclean followed by a book signing. No ticket is required and books will be available for sale on the night (cash only).
We will be recording and streaming this event live on YouTube.