Posts Tagged ‘review’
A trip down memory lane to lost train routes
Julian Holland takes train lovers back in time to when some of Britain’s most stunning railways were in use, exhibiting historical photographs from their time in action. A visual experience for enthusiasts which tells of 50 of the UK’s long lost railways and their original purpose and use in the present day. Breathe in the…
Read MoreThe mystery of a missing child in Portugal
Focused on the mystery of a missing child who was presumed dead after a family holiday in Portugal, Fallen Angel is set in two dimensions, thereby taking the reader on a journey which flashes back and forth from present day to 2002. This is cleverly done by Brookmyre, revealing the answer readers are dying for…
Read MoreHow independent schools have become so relevant
The New Meritocracy is thorough analysis of how the independent schools sector has transformed itself dramatically from 1979-2015. In a single generation it has gone from from an outdated wing of the establishment to a formidable engine of modern education. Peel offers a forensic examination of how independent schools have benefited from competition and raised…
Read MoreA fascinating history of Scotland’s geology
Set In Stone, by Alan McKirdy, is a concise and lavishly illustrated introduction to the geology and landscapes of Scotland. It explains in clear language why the country looks as it does today. Ideal for the non-specialist, this account explores Scotland’s ecological journey from a time of sea and flood, and credits Scots both past…
Read MoreThe Big Dalmahoy Sleepover is what dreams are made of
Driving up a long, twisting driveway is surely the best start to any great Scottish getaway. Through the grand estate gates, past the lines of greenery and on to the country house, it marks the end of a crazed week, and the beginning of an indulgent retreat. As my colleague Stephanie and I took off…
Read MoreA handy guide to traditional Scots folk songs
Before his death in 1990, Norman Buchan compiled 100 modern and traditional Scottish folk songs that have been passed on by generations of Scots. Now they have been reissued in a hand-sized book to share for another generation. Each tune is presented alongside guitar chords and a melodic line so you can play along to…
Read MoreThe story of the man behind New Lanark
The first full biography of David Dale, founding father of socialism, this book reflects 30 years of research. David J McLaren came to know about Dale through an interest in Robert Owen’s New Lanark, the famous 18th-century cotton-spinning community, and his attempts to forge a ‘new view’ of society. But it was during Dale’s ownership…
Read MoreThe essential guide to fantastic gins
We are in the middle of a gin craze – hardly a week goes by without the release of a new brand or artisanal distillery and serious gin bars are stocking well over 300 brands. But how do you choose? Is Edinburgh Gin a style, or just a name? Can a rose-flower and cucumber infusion…
Read MoreA guide to one of the most important gardens
Regarded as one of the most important gardens in Britain, Little Sparta in the Pentland Hills has become renowned the world over. Ian Hamilton Finlay’s anarchic collection contains 300 artworks by himself and others, designed to evolve over time. This beautifully illustrated guide to the garden is the perfect companion for anyone visiting or interested…
Read MoreA girl’s battle with anorexia told with honesty
Tina McGuff’s life was perfect – or so she thought. Living in Dundee with her devoted parents and three younger sisters, she was a happy, healthy and confident thirteen-year-old. When Tina’s mother attacked her father in a premeditated act of revenge, Tina’s life changed forever. As her family fell apart at the seams, the weight…
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