The Battle of St Monans: Scotland’s Forgotten Battle

Fife author Leonard Low investigates the forgotten battle of St Monans and explores the darker side of history in his latest book. It was the 16th century when Henry VIII’s armies decided to travel to East Lothian to attack the Fife coast as part of their ‘rough wooing’ crusade. Low comprehensively documents this historic period,…

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Review – Edinburgh: A Personal View in Photography

Bewitched by Edinburgh on a visit to the city as a young boy, Douglas Corrance captures his personal view in photographs that span five years. With work published in Rolling Stone and National Geographic Traveller, Corrance turns his attention to the capital’s alluring charm in all its diversity. Replete with architecture that reflects Edinburgh’s countless epochs of…

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A celebration of popular children’s writer to open

An award-winning children’s author’s work is being put in the spotlight at a new exhibition. A fascinating new attraction focussing on the work of award-winning author Michael Morpurgo – one of Britain’s most loved children’s story makers – opens at the Dick Institute in Kilmarnock on Friday, August 10. This unique event, devised by Seven…

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Random Treasure: Antiques, Auctions and Alchemy

In Random Treasure, Edinburgh antiques collector Roger Stewart reflects upon six decades of auction success. An essential read for anyone who wishes to go into this field, Stewart offers a tell-all on how he capitalises on forgotten charity shop goods, turning £1500 worth of so-called junk into £250,000 worth of profit. The book also offers…

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Chance for the over 40s to boost writing career

They say everyone has a book in them – and now the over 40s have the chance to prove that’s the case. The Scottish Book Trust has announced that the Next Chapter Award 2019, to support a talented yet unpublished writer over the age of 40. The Next Chapter Award supports an emerging writer for…

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The Course of History: Ten Meals that Changed the World

This uniquely engaging read is perfect for those who combine a love for history with a passion for food. In The Course Of History: Ten Meals that Changed the World the unlikely duo of politician and award-winning author Struan Stevenson and Leith chef Tony Singh MBE join forces to give us an insight into meals…

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Book review – Woodland Gardening

Kenneth Cox’s latest tome Woodland Gardening is a significant Scottish horticultural publication which brings the art of woodland gardening to life. As well as being a third generation nurseryman, Cox is the managing director of Glendoick garden centre in Perth, which specialises in rhododendrons, azaleas and ericaceous plants. A vastly experienced plant-hunter and hybridiser, Cox is…

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Book review – Castles and Galleys by Paul Martin

Castles and Galleys has a subtitle of A Reassessment of the Historic Galley-Castles of the Norse-Gaelic Seaways. Whether you’re a history expert or just want to learn about Scotland’s historic castles and galleys, this comprehensive collection of papers provides in-depth analysis on how they functioned and interacted throughout the centuries. After holding a conference alongside…

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Author’s debut work is a love letter to Scotland

An appreciation of Scotland has led a first-time writer to send a love letter to the country in his first novel. The Boy and the Eagle is the moving debut novel by Charles Williams, a former soldier and IT worker who now lives in London. It tells how a teenage boy copes – and fails…

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Book review – When The Clyde Ran Red

What’s the story? In the early 20th century, much of Scotland’s industrial heart was based in the west of Scotland, and in particular, in and around the River Clyde. Maggie Craig has assembled a fascinating collection of historical events, from events as diverse as the strike at the Singer Sewing Machine factory in 1911, Bloody…

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