Documentary charts the rise of Scottish crime fiction

A new short film charts the rise of Scottish crime fiction and sheds new light on the success of the UK’s bestselling genre. Including never before seen interviews with some of the biggest names in crime writing, it traces the origins of one of key influences on all of their work. Produced by Publishing Scotland…

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Beloved books are given a new Scottish twist

Two beloved children’s books have been translated into Scots for the first time. A Bad Beginning is the first in the bestselling 13-part A Series of Unfortunate Events series by Lemony Snicket while award-winning author Matt Haig’s 2015 novel, A Boy Called Christmas, has also been given a new twist by Black & White Publishing.…

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The Glencairn Glass invites crime writers to enter short story comp

Are you an author with a murderous imagination, a crime that needs capturing or a deadly deed to document? Well here’s your chance … The Glencairn Glass – the world’s favourite whisky glass – and sponsor of the McIlvanney and Bloody Scotland Debut crime-writing prizes, is looking for crime short stories, launching the competition with…

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The Stillman is a novel packed with dark humour

The Stillman is Tom McCulloch’s first novel and the characterisation of protagonist Jim Drever surely draws on the author’s upbringing in the Highlands. We’re in 2010, the worst winter in years, and Jim, stillman at a Highland distillery, has just turned 50. His obsessions are his comfortingly predictable job, and the movies, full of fictional…

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The perfect companion for salmon fishing lovers

Salmon Flies: Past and Present is a fascinating guide for salmon fishing enthusiasts. It contains detailed dressings for 28 flies, including fully dressed flies, hairwings, Spey flies and shrimp patterns. As well as instructions on how to create these beautiful flies, the author has included possible alternatives to any hard to find, illegal or expensive…

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A fascinating look at the churches of Glasgow

Anyone who walks around Glasgow can’t fail to be impressed with its architecture. Despite being someone who has lived in the west of Scotland for the vast majority of his life, there are times when I forget to look around me and appreciate the beautiful buildings which are there. Some of the most impressive of…

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Bookmark the Big Scottish Book Club again

A line-up to bookmark is coming up for the latest series of the Big Scottish Book Club, hosted by author Damian Barr. An array of authors from the worlds of politics, acting, rock music as well as literary lions are booked for the new series, which is due to start later this month. Among the…

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Home is where the heart is – and is full of emotion

John Mackay’s latest novel, Home, is the definition of the phrase ‘home is where the heart is.’ It centres around one family over a century, beginning with a simple man called Faroe who built a house on a Hebridean island for his family. Faroe and his wife had seven children, who grew up and had…

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Next literary lunch will step back in time

The Royal Scots Club have announced their next Literary Lunch on the theme of history. This event will feature Victoria Schofield, who will be discussing her journey from journalist to military historian and what led her to write about Kashmir, Afghanistan, Wavell, The Black Watch and her lifelong friendship with Former Pakistani Prime Minister, Benazir…

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Scotland’s first female-centric bookshop is a hit

Rare Birds Books has launched Scotland’s first female-centric bookshop in the heart of Edinburgh. In a bold move that saw the globally beloved book club show resilience and innovation in a time of retail uncertainty, founder Rachel Wood welcomed over 1500 visitors into the shop over the first trading weekend. Opened last month, at 13…

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