Posts Tagged ‘books’
Marking 160 years of an important landmark
The 160th anniversary of the Katrine Aqueduct, one of Scotland’s most important pieces of infrastructure, was marked this week with a special re-enactment of its official inauguration by Queen Victoria. Actors donned Victorian attire and a modern-day lookalike ‘Queen Victoria’ followed in the footsteps of the monarch and repeated her words close to the very…
Read MoreMarking 40 years since closure of Mackintosh school
Forty years after the Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed Scotland Street School closed, organisers hope to attract a record number of former pupils to the annual reunion. This year’s event takes place from noon–3pm this Saturday, 19 October. Last year’s reunion, which took place in the 150th anniversary year of Mackintosh’s birth, attracted over 60 people…
Read MoreShort stories and varied lives in The Way Out
The Way Out is a compilation of short stories depicting the dilemmas, desires and disappointments of men and women, young and old. Vicki Jarrett explores these people’s lives and their trials and tribulations in relationships, the economy and society. The Way Out is an impressive assemblage of heart-warming yet chilling cases, brimming with stark truths…
Read MoreSir Jackie Stewart shares his thoughts on life
Scotland’s triple F1 world champion Sir Jackie Stewart talks about overcoming dyslexia, cleaning windows and being beaten on the virtual circuit by his grandchildren. Dyslexia was not recognised at my school. In those days there was no help for children with disabilities. I was called thick, stupid and dumb in front of the class. I…
Read MoreHer life was ruined by a blood transfusion
This is the truly tragic tale of how one woman’s life has been affected by one of the UK’s biggest medical scandals –blood transfusion contamination. Gill Fyffe received the transfusion after undergoing a traumatic birth. Several unexplained side-effects followed and seven years later she was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Now in seriously deteriorating health and…
Read MoreAn outsider’s look at Scotland’s capital
Chiang Yee offers an insightful and refreshing view on the capital in The Silent Traveller in Edinburgh. Refusing to let the unpredictable Scottish weather hinder his expeditions, Chiang Yee always finds beauty in the dreariest of rainstorms. He employs the technique of defamiliarisation, opening his readers’ eyes to alternative perspectives of the city through astute…
Read MoreThe ideal book for the fisherman in your life
Reflections on the Loch is a wonderful hardback book, to warm the heart of any trout angler, and a perfect Christmas present. The widely-travelled Orcadian writes with passion, knowledge and experience, and is highly informative yet never dull. Not afraid to tackle issues, he is also very specific, giving tips on how to fish specific…
Read MoreJohn Hunter left a body of work behind him
Self-taught John Hunter was the most famous surgeon of his age – but the man who was the inspiration for Jekyll and Hyde had no qualms about acquiring stolen corpses on which to perfect his skills. Everyone knows the story of Jekyll and Hyde. But few realise that the setting for the gothic tale of…
Read MoreA Scottish top ten of world records
When it comes to world-beating feats we Scots have consistently punched above our ‘small country’ weight . Here we look at some of the brilliant, brave and often bonkers records set and challenged by Scots over the years. 1. Winning the international toss As caber-tossing is one of the most iconic aspects of Scotland, it…
Read MoreThe mystery and hunt for the fabled Blue Horse
Dark and atmospheric, this much-anticipated novel set in the art world tells the story of George Newhouse who is a newly appointed art curator at the Public Gallery in Edinburgh. His obsessive search for a missing Dutch masterpiece, the titular Blue Horse, leads him from Edinburgh to London, Venice and New York. The painting’s provenance…
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