Reviews
REVIEW: Six – a tragical history tour with killer songs
Kenny Smith enjoys a musical history lesson. SOMETIMES bringing history to life in a way that will engage a younger generation can be difficult. Remembering monarchs of the past, where their wives came from, and indeed, the order in which they married Henry VIII – and how they died, can be difficult if it’s not…
Read MoreScottish Lion on Patrol is a military classic
With so many WWII books out there, it can be difficult to know where to begin. But this revised version of Scottish Lion on Patrol, a classic regimental tome (first published in 1950), is a great starting point. It is rather complex so requires a solid level of WWII knowledge, but its insights into some…
Read MoreShort stories from the creator of Sherlock Holmes
As Playing with Fire comes from the author who gifted us Sherlock Holmes, you know this is going to be good. Made up of 13 intriguing short stories, ranging from the supernatural to the downright outlandish, this is a further insight into the wonderful imagination of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. A favourite of mine is…
Read MoreHow Mary, Queen of Scots, used fabrics in policitcs
Reading Embroidering Her Truth really was a pleasant surprise. In an age when textiles expressed power, Mary, Queen of Scots exploited their symbolism artfully. The most famous example was wearing red – the martyr’s colour – at her execution, but Hunter outlines the many subtle and not-so-subtle ways in which Mary used fabrics to her…
Read MoreAn academic read covering the Romans in Scotland
Think you know about the earliest Roman invasion in Caledonia? Think again. This mind-boggling study offers an alternative view on what happened in AD 83, presents new findings that are well-argued and researched, and calls into question popular historical beliefs about the Roman campaigns. Author Simon Forder also suggests a new location for the Battle…
Read MoreThe perfect guide to the outdoors – by an expert
Anna Fleming, a qualified mountain leader who has worked for the Cairngorms National Park Authority, leads the way on epic rock climbing adventures. She travels through the Peak District, Yorkshire, Cairngorms, Wales and beyond. Having gone from a novice to an expert rock-jock, Fleming shares the highest highs and lowest lows that each climb has…
Read MoreA guide to Scotland’s lost railway lines
As cars turned the world of transport on its head, multiple Scottish railway branch lines were swept away by the ‘Beeching Axe’. With that in mind, Spaven – an award-winning author with a life-long interest in the rail industry – meanders along the country’s old branch lines, examining both their glory days and the devastating…
Read MoreThe corrupt world of business and politics
As part of the Angus Blue series, this third edition details a thrilling investigation led by DI Blue who is drawn into the corrupt world of business and politics. As we have come to expect of Martin, he has excelled himself with vivid descriptions of Scotland – in this case, of Oban – adding authenticity…
Read MoreA celebration of a legendary Scots piper
I Piped, That She Might Dance follows the story of Angus MacKay of Raasay, a legendary piper and extraordinary exponent of Scottish music. In fact, he may have been one of the most significant Highland pipers in history, having published a collection of music that was used as the foundation for the Piobaireachd Society’s Collection.…
Read MoreWhen superstition was at its peak in gripping read
Hex is a small but mighty book. In just 100 pages, Jenni Fagan shows why she won the prestigious Scottish Author of the Year title in 2016, as well as being shortlisted for countless other literary prizes over the years. The bright blue exterior belies the dark story held within, reflecting on one of the…
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