Books
Charting Scotland’s long history through verse
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 is the perfect way to…
Read MoreWorld War I – as seen first hand in the trenches
Mud and Bodies is a fascinating collection of letters and extracts from the war diaries of Captain NAC Weir during the period 1914-1920. The diaries were found by his grandson shortly after his death and provide a first-hand account of the life of a young soldier on the Western Front during WW1. It includes an…
Read MoreA look at one of nature’s deadliest journeys
With a foreword by HRH Prince Charles, Norman Matheson examines the remarkable life-cycle of the Atlantic Salmon as it undertakes one of the most underappreciated but deadly journeys in nature. From small tributaries in the River Spey, on to the food sources of the North Atlantic, the salmon’s odyssey is told in Matheson’s lively and engaging style. His infectious passion can be felt…
Read MoreCelebrating the life of activist the Gaelic Guerrilla
Roy Pederson tells the story of language activist John Angus Mackay who became known as ‘the Gaelic Guerrilla’ as a result of his tireless eff orts to successfully save the Gaelic tongue from extinction in Scotland. As someone who is not a particularly ardent enthusiast for books on language history, I struggled to make my…
Read MoreA celebration of the tenacious foxes
Each time I have seen a fox, both rural and urban, I have been struck by their oddly captivating quality. Their resourcefulness, intelligence and tenacity are just some of the qualities which are celebrated in ecologist Adele Brand’s thought-provoking exploration of one of Britain’s most familiar, enigmatic and misunderstood creatures. Charmingly written, this book will…
Read MoreScotland’s ancient ties with the Vikings
For Paul Murton, the mythical call of the Orkney and Shetland isles has been strong since his childhood. Thanks to his father’s Norwegian background, Paul spent a lot of his childhood travelling extensively among the islands of Norway’s fjord-riven west coast or tramping through the snowfields of Hardangervidda. But Scotland’s own northern isles remained a…
Read MoreShortlist of four for the Highland Book Prize
The shortlist of four contenders for the 2019 Highland Book Prize has been announced. Competition organisers have named the four books published in 2019 which judges deem the best titles with a Highland connection. They are: The Frayed Atlantic Edge: A Historian’s Journey from Shetland to the Channel by David Gange (William Collins); Surfacing by…
Read MoreCreating a cosy sanctuary at home with coorie
Following the publication of The Art of Coorie, the Scottish concept emerged as the standout lifestyle trend of 2018. A ‘coorie home’ is defined as ‘the place where one lives in contentment and conviviality; most especially a pleasant haven from the wild Scottish elements’. In this book, Beth Pearson explores the art of creating an…
Read MoreLive, love and laugh with Doddie Weir’s book
They say you shouldn’t laugh at your own jokes, but when you’re Doddie Weir this doesn’t apply. There was barely a page which went by where I didn’t chuckle to myself. A rugby legend and determined MND campaigner, Doddie has a wealth of life lessons to share. Uplifting, sad, motivational, funny, and life-affirming, the book…
Read MoreDragon’s Den contestant releases life-changing book
Comedian, teacher and Dragons’ Den contestant, Gavin Oattes, is set to launch his first solo life-changing book on 20 February, entitled Life Will See You Now. Now an international keynote speaker, his on what ‘making it’ in life actually means, his struggles with anxiety from a young age and for the first time, his breakdown…
Read More