Celebrating the life of a Scottish painter

Edwin G Lucas (1911-1990) was born and spent his whole life in Edinburgh. A prolific painter, he was heavily influenced by the surrealists, a style he blended with his own individual methods to produce colourful and fascinating paintings. The book reveals the little-known story of the Scottish artist who stopped painting for almost thirty years…

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Spending 23 years bringing Landward to our screens

Wheels Rolling at Eight is the autobiography of former BBC Scotland television producer Arthur Anderson. It’s both humorous and informative. Starting life on the family farm in South West Scotland, Arthur left school at the age of 16 to join The Scotsman. Stints at the Scottish Farmer and the then Glasgow Herald ensued before he…

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A handy guide to walking Fife’s Pilgrim Way

Officially opened in July 2019, the Fife Pilgrim Way has two starting points, the first in Culross and the second in North Queensferry. From these towns the path snakes its way across Fife to the ancient city of St Andrews, following in the footsteps of our medieval predecessors. In this essential companion, Ian Bradley brings…

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A guide to guns and rifles in the 21st century

With stunning photography throughout, British Gunmakers of the 21st Century is a magnificent volume which showcases the variety of British-made guns and rifles available today. Dallas, an advisor to Holts Auctioneers, provides an illuminating history of the top notch gun manufacturers who still employ a significant element of hand craftsmanship whilst embracing new technologies. For…

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Monsters, goblins, Nessie and more in a fun book

An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Castle Legends comes from Carnegie-award-winning children’s author Theresa Breslin and artist Kate Leiper, who was longlisted for the Kate Greenway Medal. This is a stunning book of tales centred on some of Scotland’s iconic castles. Secret passages at Edinburgh Castle, mysterious monsters at Glamis, grumpy goblins in Caerlaverock and the…

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A handy guide to wine is bound to impress

Tasting Notes is a lovely little guide to buying wine from the general manager of the Horseshoe Inn near Peebles, a man with 30 years in the trade. If you are on the lookout for a fabulous bottle to impress your friends or just to enjoy on a Saturday evening then this is for you.…

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Hamish Macbeth’s 30th case is another success

Hamish Macbeth has an iPad and an espresso machine . But don’t worry, he still doesn’t have a girlfriend. On his 30th outing, we find the laconic Highland detective happy as ever with his pet cat and dog in his beloved Lochdubh. But like Midsomer Murders, it is not long before the bodies begin to pile…

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An interesting guide to Scotland and the Scots

This entry in Winn’s ‘I never knew that’ series sees the author take a tour around Scotland detailing the people that have made this great land what it is. Various luminaries are detailed alongside their achievements and legacies. He also focuses on various well-known families and we learn of notable members of these clans and…

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Changing face of life at the turn of 20th century

From Land to Rail is the memoirs of Andrew Ramage, who worked as a farm servant, dock worker, lorry driver and railwayman during the period 1854 -1917. This fascinating diary-style account of life in the Lothians and Berwickshire sheds light on the trials faced by those working and living in a rural setting. Ramage was…

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Dead Girl Walking presents a new thrilling mystery

Dead Girl Walking sees the long-awaited return of Jack Parlabane. Christopher Brookmyre’s ex-journalist protagonist has fallen from grace and has an investigative job looking for the missing lead singer of a pop group. Brookmyre writes convincingly from both the perspective of Parlabane and Monica (the violinist in the group). The plot is thrilling, tense and…

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