Books
Scotland’s book trail will be a hit with young and old
Scotland has inspired some of the world’s best-loved literary creations – from Peter Rabbit to Peter Pan, Harry Potter to The Howlat. Whether it’s history, landscapes, wildlife or even architecture, for decades authors have used some of the country’s greatest assets to create characters that continue to delight readers of all ages. In recognition of…
Read MoreShetland author returns to island for final book
Bestselling crime author Ann Cleeves is visiting Shetland to launch her latest novel – and say a bittersweet farewell to detective Jimmy Perez. Wild Fire is the eighth and final book in the Shetland series, which has been adapted into a hit BBC series. Ann launched her first Perez novel – Raven Black – in…
Read MoreA magical place called Ardnish is well worth a visit
A peninsula, jutting out from Moidart, pointing to Eigg, Muck and Rum, cliffs along both sides until the westerly end where the communities of Peanmeanach, Laggan and Sloch used to house the two hundred MacDonalds, Gillies, MacVarish, MacEachan and MacQueens. Nellie MacQueen was the last to leave Peanmeanach in 1943 and the beautiful sandy beach with the…
Read MoreBook review: Roald Dahl’s Reekin Rhymes
What’s the story? In recent years, many children’s books have been getting rather special makeovers, taking them and translating them into Scots. For example, Roald Dahl’s The Twits became the Eejits, while JK Rowling’s first Harry Potter book became The Philosopher’s Stane). The entertaining trend continues with Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes, becoming Reekin Rhymes. Dahl…
Read MoreReview: The Willow Tea Rooms Recipe Book
This is far more than a straightforward recipe book, as The Willow Tea Rooms is the story of a piece of Glasgow’s history. It opens with an introduction by Anne Mulhern, who revived the tearooms in the 1980s, followed by a brief history of the original tearooms founded by Kate Cranston and designed by Charles…
Read MoreReview: The Treasure of the Loch Ness Monster
With a refreshing new spin on the classic legend of the Loch Ness Monster, Lari Don offers children a tender and inspiring tale. Cousins Kenneth and Ishbel cross Loch Ness in search of the famed treasure beneath Urquhart Castle so they can buy food for the winter. Driven by the legend of the castle’s two…
Read MoreBook review: Spey Flies – How To Tie Them
Veteran fly fisherman and expert fly tier Bob Veverka offers perhaps the most extensive book yet on Spey flies. Putting all he’s learned down on paper, he includes how-to-cast guides complete with step-by-step photos and informative paragraphs on the different Spey patterns and colours. A must-have for any fly fishing enthusiast, the level of detail…
Read MoreReview: The Blogger Who Came in from the Cold
In his third novel, Gordon Lawrie blends internet culture with comedy and a touch of modern spy fiction in The Blogger Who Came in from the Cold. The story is narrated by Danny Marwick, an Edinburgh-based unsuccessful musician turned successful blogger for hire. As he navigates this new territory, he is commissioned to write holiday…
Read MoreBook review – 25 Years of the Ayrshire Road Run
What’s the story? Back in 1993, the Ayrshire Road Run was created as an adjunct to the established annual vintage rally organised by the Ayrshire Vintage Tractor & Machinery Club (AVT&MC). The idea was to promote the rally by running entered commercial vehicles around the major towns in Ayrshire. Over the following years the Road…
Read MoreBook review – Scotland’s Independent Coach Operators
What’s the story? As with everything, the coach industry has changed beyond all recognition over the last few decades. In this beautifully illustrated book, packed full of photos from the past few decades, author David Devoy has created an interesting history of the independent coach operating business in Scotland. It may sound like a dry…
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