Books
Outlander, wildlife and ships in our latest podcast
The sixth episode of the Scottish Field podcast is out now – and what a mix we have for you this week. We head to Orkney to meet Scottish Field’s wildlife writer Cal Flyn, who recently took on the position as Scottish Field’s wildlife writer. Her recent features have included red squirrels, razor clams, and…
Read MoreThrills in a 1970s-set piece of tartan noir
Follow detective Harry McCoy as his hunches lead him across a Glasgow landscape rife with drugs and violence, in search of answers. As any good piece of tartan noir should, it introduces you to a slew of questionable characters who definitely muddy the waters between good and evil, although in 1970s Glasgow maybe this was…
Read MoreLife lessons we can learn from our distant past
To see the world through the eyes of acclaimed archaeologist and television presenter Neil Oliver, if only for a day, would be a true gift – and Wisdom of the Ancients: Life Lessons From Our Distant Past is about as close as it gets. It pays testament to Oliver’s enthusiasm for the history woven into…
Read MoreThe fascinating story of a woman taken to St Kilda
Based on a true story, The Unreliable Death of Lady Grange is a rollickingly good piece of historical fiction. Lady Grange is presumed dead, but in reality is whisked away from her family by the man she loves to live out her life in seclusion. The story of a stormy relationship ending in the worst…
Read MoreHeading to the great outdoors for a fantastic tour
Once again, Cameron McNeish, the grand old man of Scotland’s wild places, takes us on a tour of his favourite hills, glens and islands, celebrating those he has met along the way. But this time it’s more about the smaller observations of an expansive landscape and refl ecting on past adventures than making the summit.…
Read MoreA look around some of the most stunning gardens
Aspiring to promote interaction with the natural world, photos are divided into categories that encourage the appreciation of the planet’s diversity. Particularly for nature enthusiasts, the staggering range of nature’s beauty is astonishingly captured from a multitude of perspectives and locations. It could benefit from more narrative, but definitely one for the coffee table. International…
Read MoreA collection of poetry that is non-conformist
This vast collection from one of the leading lights of Scottish poetry feels distinctly and excitingly non-conformist. The first poems certainly pay homage to Edwin Morgan’s experimental style, although they are less engaging as a result. However, the rest are eye-catching as they stunningly convey the poet’s love for Glasgow. The traditional structure is interjected…
Read MoreThe Solway and its fascinating history
Ann Lingard takes the opportunity to offer an in-depth examination of the Solway Firth’s history, geology and the huge range of life that exists within and alongside its ever-changing margins. From mudshrimps, basking sharks and pinkfooted geese to quarriers, trawlermen, peat-cutters and haaf netters, there are many stories to tell. Lingard writes vividly about this…
Read MoreThese Tiny Tales are packed full of character and charm
This book of Tiny Tales is easy to read, charismatic and charming. It convincingly demonstrates that length is by no means essential for a captivating read. The abundance of tales are collated into sections; from ‘kindness’ to ‘meeting in lifts’, and this is topped off with an ‘Amuse-Bouche’ which humorously compliments each collection. The same…
Read MoreLin Anderson’s epic crime series returns in style
The Glasgow-based epic crime series, now fifteen instalments long, sees the return of Dr Rhona MacLeod and DS Michael McNab. Forensic scientist MacLeod, is called upon when eleven-year-old Mary McIntyre’s body is discovered after vanishing 45 years previously. Karen Marshall, Mary’s best friend, is still troubled by memories surrounding her disappearance and struggles to make…
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