Books
Leighton Library emptied ahead of refit
ALL the books have been removed from Leighton Library in Dunblane ahead of a major restoration project. Around 4,500 books are stored at Scotland’s oldest purpose-built library, which opened in 1687. The oldest book in the collection dates back to 1504, with many of the volumes coming from the private collection of Bishop Robert Leighton.…
Read MoreScotland’s National Book Awards finalists named
THE shortlist for Scotland’s National Book Awards has been unveiled by The Saltire Society. Authors will compete across six categories – fiction, non-fiction, research, history, poetry, and first book. Prizes will also be awarded in three categories for publishers, emerging publishers, and cover designs. Sarah Mason, director of the Saltire Society, said: “Scotland’s National Book…
Read MoreScottish Book Week begins with animal vote
SCOTTISH Book Week gets underway today, with readers having until midnight to vote for their favourite animal in fiction. The chimpanzees at Edinburgh Zoo have even got in on the act, with characters including Gnasher, Paddington, and Tigger competing for the title. The winning animal will be named later this week. Marc Lambert, chief executive…
Read MoreHighlands’ folklore and fantasy captured in new book
ARTISTS Alastair Laidlaw and Christine Marsden have dipped into the Highlands’ folklore and fantasy for their latest book. They have combined landscape photography with fantasy images and text by writers Roberta Edwards and James A Whittaker. Laidlaw and Marsden have been working on the book for the past 17 years, since moving to Fort Augustus…
Read MoreTobermory Book Festival sets sail on Friday
BROADCASTER Sally Magnusson tops the bill at this year’s Tobermory Book Festival, which begins on Friday on Mull. Food and travel writer Ghillie Basan – who shared recipes in February’s Scottish Field magazine – will host a dinner on the opening night. Fellow foodies Ailidh Forlan and Sally MacColl will also discuss their work over…
Read MoreGlencairn launches second short story competition
THE Glencairn Glass has launched the second instalment of its crime short story competition, in partnership with the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival and Scottish Field magazine, with a theme of “A crime story set in Scotland”. Last year’s maiden competition attracted entries from talented crime writers across the globe. Over the past three…
Read MoreOutlander author Diana Gabaldon in Inverness tomorrow
EDEN Court Theatre in Inverness will host Outlander creator Diana Gabaldon tomorrow for a special event organised by her fans. Hundreds of fans have traveled to the Highland capital from throughout the world for tomorrow’s even, which was set up by local fan group Inverness Outlanders. Gabaldon’s books and subsequent television series have boosted visitor…
Read MoreGlasgow Print Studio marks National Poetry Day
TO MARK National Poetry Day, Glasgow Print Studio is holding a preview tonight of a exhibition inspired in part by Scottish poet Sorley MacLean. Artist Ken Currie took inspiration for “Chunnacas na mairbh beò” – “The Dead Have Been Seen Alive” – from MacLean’s poem “Hallaig”, about the clearances on the Isle of Raasay. The…
Read More14th-century woman’s face revealed by Whithorn Priory
THE face of a 14th-century woman buried on a bed of seashells at Whithorn Priory will be revealed today as part of Wigtown Book Festival. The woman’s features have been recreated in a three-dimensionial (3D) animation, with sound. Her face is being unveiled ahead of “Bishops, Bones, and Burials”, a Whithorn Trust event that will…
Read MoreWigtown Book Festival welcomes fiddlers
MUSICIANS from throughout Dumfries & Galloway joined members of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra (SFO) for a concert yesterday lunchtime at Wigtown Book Festival. Beth Porter of The Bookshop Band was among the fiddlers taking part, along with her baby, Emmy Please. The SFO was co-founded by the late John Mason, who spent much of his…
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