Reviews
Writer returned to his roots for a pilgrimage
On a twelve day pilgrimage, Alastair McIntosh returns to the islands of his childhood to explore the history and culture of the Outer Hebrides. Walking from St Clement’s church in the southern end of the Isle of Harris to the most northerly Butt of Lewis, the tough terrain and physical endurance aids McIntosh’s feelings of…
Read MoreBehind the headlines in the Scottish highlands
He was the Highland correspondent for The Herald for 30 years, and in this book David Ross reflects on the most significant stories he found himself caught up in during that time. It’s clear that his late father-in-law Sorley Maclean, was a great inspiration to him and provided him with a lot of guidance in…
Read MoreCelebrating 12 parks in Scotland’s dear green place
John Cairney, a native Weegie, pays a personal tribute to 12 of Glasgow’s dear green spaces in A Walk in the Park. It’s a reminder that there’s much more to the city than its tenements and skyscrapers. Cairney concludes his survey of these parks with an exhortation to those people who are fixated by social…
Read MoreThe tough battle to keep a railway route on track
In Highland Survivor, David Spaven picks up on his father’s relentless quest to keep Britain’s most northerly and longest rural railway line operational. In this survey of the Far North Line, he details how the campaign to prevent the closure of the line proposed by the Beeching Report succeeded by examining eyewitness accounts from public…
Read MoreCapturing a turbulent period in Scottish history
It’s 1679 in Scotland and the king’s power is increasing with regard to the church – this is the dawn of Protestantism. In Changed Times, Ethyl Smith vividly evokes how life was during this significant historical period by using the auld Scottish dialect. The characters come alive with the vibrancy of these evocative accents in…
Read MoreHighs and the lows of Scottish life from 1976-99
The Broken Journey is the second volume in Kenneth Roy’s collection on life in Scotland after the tragic events of World War II. His first volume The Invisible Spirit: A Life of Post-War Scotland 1945-75 was hugely successful, making this sequel a highly anticipated piece of work. The Broken Journey certainly lives up to expectations and…
Read MoreCorrie’s Capers are the best in the Westie
The Westie Fest: Corrie’s Capers is a beautifully illustrated book with lots of information about things to see and do on the Isle of Arran, along with a smidge of Gaelic. Corrie the West Highland Terrier, named after one of Arran’s villages, wants to do her Papa and her country proud by competing in the…
Read MoreScotland in the 19th century lives on in 3D
Most people assume that 3D imaging and virtual reality are relatively modern technologies. However, they were developed in St Andrews 170 years ago. Peter Blair has selected 3D images from his own collection to create a Victorian virtual reality tour of Scotland. A cardboard stereoscope is included with the book which allows you to view…
Read MoreEnjoy a tranquil tea time at Yamato restaurant
Mid week dinners at home can often be hasty rushed affairs where creativity and presentation are severely lacking. With that in mind, heading out to dinner on a school night is always a welcome treat, especially knowing that I won’t be left with the inevitable pile of washing up. Last Thursday my partner and I…
Read MoreA murder mystery that will keep you guessing
Private detective Leo Moran returns with this new murder mystery. This will keep you guessing because the author manages to create characters that are refreshingly different while effortlessly weaving Scottish history into this book, making for an intriguing narrative. The protagonist Leo, who enjoys the fi ner things in life, is an especially original character.…
Read More