The Oatmeal Ark

More about the book

After his father's death, Beagan Gillean finds himself isolated on a wild Scottish island, accompanied only by a trunk filled with three generations of family history. Determined to reconnect with his roots, he embarks on a journey retracing his great-grandfather's path from the Western Isles to Canada, a place he hasn't seen in twenty years. Immersed in the lives and dreams of his ancestors, Gillean chooses to travel by water, navigating the historic routes that stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific. His adventure becomes a wave-rocked, wind-tossed exploration that leads him through Canada’s vast landscapes. Accompanying him are the spirits of three forebears: his great-grandfather, a minister and mariner; his grandfather, a paddle-wheel publisher; and his father, a boat-building broadcaster. Together, they traverse the Saint Lawrence on a yacht, canoe through the northern woods, and cross the Prairies in an inflatable dinghy. As Gillean delves into his family's struggles and achievements, he finds their stories reflect Canada’s own history. Through their memories and the breathtaking scenery, he seeks to carve out a place for himself in the world. This haunting tale of loss and discovery offers a poignant portrait of a remarkable family and the country that shaped them.