The Yellow on the Broom: The Early Days Of A Traveller Woman

By: Betsy Whyte

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Synopsis: This classic memoir of a Scottish woman&’s traditional nomadic family offers an intimate glimpse at girlhood in a bygone way of life. A rare firsthand account of Scotland&’s indigenous traveler culture, The Yellow on the Broom has earned its place as a modern classic of Scottish literature. Here, Betsy Whyte vividly recounts the story of her childhood in flowing prose reminiscent of oral storytelling. Through the 1920s and 30s, she and her family spent much of the year traveling from town to town, working odd jobs while maintaining their centuries-old language and a culture. Whyte&’s people were known by many names—mist people, summer walkers, tinkers, and gypsies. As their way of life became increasingly marginalized, they faced greater hardship, suspicion and prejudice. Together with her second memoir, Red Rowans and Wild Honey, Whyte&’s story is a thought-provoking account of human strength, courage, and perseverance.