Posts Tagged ‘reviews’
A moving novel with a forgotten Scottish shame
In 1950s Scotland, thousands of children were removed from their families for a ‘better life’ in the rural idyll of the Scottish Highlands as ‘boarded-out’ children. In Mick, by Willie Orr, he has crafted the moving story of Mick Crossan, removed by social services from his widowed mother and slum home in the Gorbals and…
Read MoreThe mystery of the missing Roman legion
The disappearance of Lego IX Hispana has long been a mystery, sparking debate and theories for decades. In this fascinating book, Missing Legion, Simon Elliott sets out in great detail the evidence for some of these theories. Elliott’s writing style makes the book easy to follow and understand even if you are not familiar with…
Read MoreA fascinating tale based on true-life events
In a Veil of Mist is based on the true life but little-known event of Operation Cauldron. In 1952, during the Cold War, germ warfare experiments were taking place on a ship off the coast of the Isle of Lewis. The book delves into the lives of two locals who begin to suspect something is…
Read MoreReviews: Madhouse
This play, Madhouse, was like being in a student house, chaotic and disruptive. The setting is a kitchen table and the themes explored include the usual travails of student life, pregnancy, sexual orientation confusion, debt, self harm and the ultimate crime of student communal living, sleeping with a fellow flat mate. At times amusing with…
Read MoreMental health – from both sides of the table
Finding True North is an important book highlighting a topic that should be more widely discussed – mental health in adults. Author Linda Gask, who trained in medicine in Edinburgh, spent her career working as a consultant psychiatrist while also battling with her own mental health struggles. Gask’s wisdom and experience result in an insightful…
Read MoreA baker’s challenge to make bread for a whole year
When asking himself whether he was capable of baking enough bread to feed his family for a year, Robert Penn could never have predicted the adventure he was about to undertake. This book details his journey around the world as he learns how to grow and produce his family’s own bread. He ventured to Fertile…
Read MoreComing to terms with a family past of slavery
Blood Legacy: Reckoning With A Family’s Story Of Slavery is a highly reflective book about how, by coming to terms with one’s past, we can advocate for a better future. Author Alex Renton explains how, rather than disinterested bystanders, the Scots were enthusiastic participants who were up to their oxters in slavery. Through tracking his…
Read MoreReview: Dare2B Aptile Hooded Softshell Jacket
Scottish Field reviews a new lightweight, water-resistant and highly breathable jacket. WHAT IS IT: Aptile Hooded Softshell Jacket Athletic Blue Ebony Grey. RRP: £70. www.dare2b.com I WANT IT BECAUSE: This is marketed in Dare2Be’s activewear range but is actually a great-value all-rounder that works on the golf course, walking, cycling or just slouching around the house. USEFUL…
Read MoreRead our latest reviews from the Edinburgh Festivals
Edinburgh’s festivals are back with a bang in 2021, having been cancelled due to the Coronavirus outbreak in 2020. As ever, Scottish Field is out and about at various shows, and here we have collected our various reviews from shows in 2021. Madhouse Afterparty Love in the Time of Lockdown Looks Like We Made It…
Read MoreA light-hearted tale set in the Scottish Highlands
The Peacock is light-hearted read set in a dilapidated castle in the Highlands. Following a group of investment bankers who rent out a space for a weekend of team building, they find themselves at Lord and Lady McIntosh’s stately home. Slapstick humour reigns supreme as most of their plans go awry and new stumbling blocks…
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