Book review – Maggie’s Mittens is a charming story

What’s the story? This is a charming tale of a young girl who, in spite of her mother’s wishes, doesn’t want to wear her hot, fuzzy mittens… While on a tour of some of Scotland’s most picturesque destinations, including St Andrews’ Old Course, Maggie hopes to find a new home for her horrible mittens. Scottish…

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Queen of Crime will join their silver celebrations

Scotland’s Queen of Crime is to join the birthday celebrations for the Friends of Innerpeffray Library. Friends of Innerpeffray Library in Perthshire are 25 this year, to celebrate and further support the library they have some special events planned. Val McDermid will speak in the chapel on the evening of 14 June. Val has sold…

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Read all about it as Wigtown marks 20 years as book town

Scotland’s national book town is celebrating its 20th anniversary this week. In 1998, Wigtown in Dumfries and Galloway was declared Scotland’s National Book Town – a move that transformed its fortunes after years of decline. The closure of a large creamery and a distillery had seen the fortunes of the rural Dumfries and Galloway town…

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Great storytelling is just out of this world

What’s the story? Three classic Doctor Who stories from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s have been given the audiobook treatment. This trio of adventures in time and space were originally novelised during the seventies and eighties, but are now brought to vivid life thanks to some dynamic narration and fantastic sound design. Highlights Genesis of…

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Boswell Festival of biography was fully booked

This year’s all-star guests at the Boswell Book Festival have given it a resounding thumbs up. TV’s Gogglebox star and Festival author Mary Killen perfectly captured the mood of this year’s Boswell Book Festival at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, when she said: ‘I had no idea how wonderful it would be!’ This year’s festival was…

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Talk will discuss reintroduction of lynx to Scotland

A discussion about the potential of reintroducing the lynx to Scotland is taking place next month. Ecologist Dr David Hetherington will talk about his new book The Lynx and Us, at the Aigas field centre in Invernesshire. The Lynx and Us features stunning photography of wild lynx from Laurent Geslin – and looks to inform…

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Scotland ready to host international book figures

Scotland is set to host senior publishing figures from the US, South Korea and Europe who are on a trade mission. The fourth International Fellowship Programme from Publishing Scotland facilitates international exchange and comprises nine invited Fellows from Germany, France, Italy, Finland, US, and includes – for the first time – a delegate from South…

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Book review: RHS Genealogy for Gardeners

  What’s the story? We’re finally starting to see signs of summer, and the gardens are in full bloom at last! If you’re a budding gardener, or just want to learn more about the beautiful greenery around you, Dr Ross Bayton and Simon Maughan will guide you through everything there is to know about plants.…

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Book review: A Time of Love and Tartan

What’s the story? Changes are afoot in Scotland Street, where small things can be of great consequence. A colossal embarrassment follows Pat Macgregor’s ill-advised coffee with narcissistic ex-boyfriend Bruce. If Matthew, her boss at the art gallery, hadn’t wandered into his local bookshop and picked up a particular book at a particular time, he would…

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Book review – The Great Drams of Scotland

What’s the story? Behind each and every dram there is a unique, colourful and tasty tale to be told. Greg Dillon, award-winning writer and blogger, walks the reader through the history of 28 Scottish distilleries and 23 iconic brands of whisky. This is more than just a guide to Scotland’s favourite tipple though – Dillon’s…

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