Books
Wigtown welcomes Mrs Death and hosts a Meeting of Spirits
This year’s Wigtown Book Festival meets death and then plunges on to discuss what happens afterwards. Author Salena Godden will be at the festival to discuss her book Mrs Death Misses Death in which a troubled young author named Wolf meets, and befriends, Death in the guise of an elderly working class black woman and…
Read MoreSunrise by the Sea will bring some smiles and joy
A fantastically quirky yet moving story, Sunrise by the Sea features introvert Marisa Rosso, a young girl bound by grief for her recently deceased Italian grandfather. Through the suggestion of her rather obnoxious flatmate, she moves to a tidal island off the Cornish coast to get some peace and clarity. But upon arrival she realises…
Read MoreThere’s a good reason to go wild about this stunning art
It has been a while since I opened a book showcasing such great works of wildlife art accompanied by humorous but informative writing. I would, however, expect nothing less from one of Britain’s leading sporting and wildlife artists. This latest book is a collection of McPhail’s most accomplished works from the last two decades, all…
Read MoreThere’s more to this tale than just Scottish romance
I was put off by the jacket of this book, but in this case the old adage rings true. What may at first glance appear to be a romantic novel is actually a tale full of crime, politics and intrigue, set against the backdrop of Edinburgh in the 1740s. Yes, there is a romantic element…
Read MoreBringing Scotland’s rich history to life in verse
Scottish History in Verse is an anthology of poetry charting Scotland’s journey through the high and low points of its history using the medium of verse. This unique poetic saunter through the centuries also includes a useful little explanation of the background and the events that led to the penning of each poem. This book…
Read MoreA dark thriller set in a fictional highland village
Partial to Tartan Noir and a dram by the fire? Then this is a no-brainer. Alan Gillespie’s prose is as intense as a peated single malt (a seriously macabre tone is set from the off with brutal descriptions of a cat lying on the road). Set in a fictional Highland village, there are more twists…
Read MoreA good read that’s definitely up to par
Know someone with an enviable handicap? Add this to their list of Christmas presents. Showcasing 14 of the most beautiful links courses in Scotland including Turnberry, Carnoustie and the much-loved Old Course, a stunning collection of photos (including drone shots of each hole) feature alongside interesting historical factoids of each location. It reminds you of…
Read MoreThe Scot who stole the secrets of tea from China
One of my favourite figures from history is Robert Fortune, the plucky Scot who, disguised as a Chinaman and under pain of death if he was caught, learned the art of tea production in China. He spirited away the tea plants that were to break China’s monopoly on this key international commodity. It was a…
Read MoreA fascinating look at the castles of Lewis and beyond
Peter Cunningham casts an eye over the pivotal moments, people and places that moulded the island’s history in The Castles of the Lews. He uses the castles of the Island of Lewis as a focal point, including Stornoway, Seaforth and Lews Castle. With wonderful illustrations and images to accompany his analysis, those with an intimate…
Read MoreThe essential guide to the Outer Hebrides
We really are paging the oracle on north-west Outer Hebridean life here. Frank Rennie, professor of Sustainable Rural Development who lives in South Galson and has been instrumental in developing the region for four decades, writes of the area’s great personal, natural and cultural significance. From his formative experiences of the region to its resident…
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