Her 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…

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Danger and excitement with Darke matter

Action-packed and thrilling, Darke Mission follows JJ Drake, a former MI5 spy, lone parent and now apparently head-down worker in the finance sector.  Caladon’s contemporary scenes are set in several places – London, Scotland and North Korea. With the British government at the brink of bankruptcy, the ex-spy is forced to lead an audacious heist…

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Saving the wildcats – Scotland’s Highland tiger

For someone who initially had no particular interest in wildcats, I finished this book feeling massively concerned for their welfare and vulnerability.  Marianne Taylor delves into the fascinating lives of Scottish wildcats in her Highland journey, during which she hopes to catch sight of these elusive animals. They face alarming endangerment so a need for…

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Artist to open new Fort William exhibition

A Scots artist is to exhibit her work at the Lime Tree Gallery in Fort William. Rose Strang is an Edinburgh-born landscape artist whose work captures the changing colours and atmosphere of Scotland’s Highlands and west coast. Following graduation from art college, Rose has exhibited in some of Scotland’s most renowned galleries and arts institutions…

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An 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…

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The 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…

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Former policeman uses his eye to write new novel

Peter Ritchie uses his past experience gained from a career as a senior police officer to write this crime fiction novel with astonishing authenticity and intrigue. The book has such character and charm that it makes the life of crime seem almost appealing, if it weren’t for the violence, illegality and constant paranoia that accompanies…

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A celebration of Stornoway in poetry

SY Story: A Portrait of Stornoway Harbour is a stunning poetry collection which  explores the history of Stornoway from the Mesolithic time to its present-day life as bustling modern habour. Donald S Murray successfully brings to life the town’s triumphs and tragedies, which includes the sinking of the Iolaire and the departure of the Metagama…

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The 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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The Scottish history of Game of Thrones

Setting out to show that Game of Thrones is rooted in Scottish history, David C Weinczok draws parallels between the history of this country and that of Westeros. This book helps a fantastical world become even more of a reality. It shows how Moat Cailin is inspired by Stirling Castle, and The Wall by Hadrian’s…

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