Martin Martin

Martin Martin (Scottish Gaelic: Màrtainn MacGilleMhàrtainn ) (–9 October 1718) was a Scottish writer best known for his work A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland (1703; second edition 1716). This book is particularly noted for its information on the St Kilda archipelago. Martin's description of St Kilda, which he visited in 1697, had also been published some years earlier as A Late Voyage to St Kilda.

Life Martin was a native of Bealach, near Duntulm on Skye. He was born around 1660, a son of Donald Martin, who served with the MacDonalds of Sleat under James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, and his wife Màiri, who was a niece of Sir Donald Gorme Og Macdonald, 1st Baronet. He is thought to have had at least two brothers, one of whom may have been tacksman at Flodigarry on Skye.

Martin graduated MA from the University of Edinburgh in 1681. Between 1681 and 1686, he was a tutor to Sir Donald Macdonald, 4th Baronet, and, from 1686 to 1695, he was tutor and governor to Ruaraidh Òg MacLeod of Harris. Much of this period was spent in Edinburgh where the young chief was a student at the university.

Their plenty of Corn was such, as dispos'd the Natives to brew several sorts of Liquors, as common Usquebaugh, another call'd Trestarig, id est Aquavitae, three times distill'd, which is strong and hot; a third sort is four times distill'd, and this by the Natives is call'd Usquebaugh-baul, id est Usquebaugh, which at first taste affects all the Members of the Body: two spoonfuls of this last Liquor is a sufficient Dose; and if any Man exceed this, it would presently stop his Breath, and endanger his Life. The Trestarig and Usquebaugh-baul, are both made of Oats.

Early in 1708, Martin moved to London where he became tutor to the third son of the Earl of Bradford and accompanied him on a tour of Italy. In 1710, he entered Leiden University, and there graduated as MD, afterwards practicing medicine in London until his death.