Posts Tagged ‘reviews’
A stunning look at the beautiful Hebrides
Hebrides is a beautiful book of narrative extracts from Peter May’s bestselling trilogy. The text features alongside specially commissioned photographs by David Wilson depicting the eerie mists, abandoned buildings and dramatic lighting of the Outer Hebrides. This book allows fans of May’s Lewis trilogy to experience the land that gave the writing and his characters…
Read MoreFascinating look at the 14th Duke of Hamilton
Scottish amateur boxing champion, Unionist MP, participant in the first flight over Mount Everest, the 14th Duke of Hamilton was an adventurous and popular man. But when World War II loomed, Hamilton was embroiled in an escalating rumour that he was a crypto-Facist. Mark Peel rectifies these slanders in this fascinating and detailed biography. The…
Read MorePolitics, myths and Scottish independence
Bannockburns is an intelligently written and rigorously researched book revealing how much the political is entwined with the literary imagination. Crawford uses Scotland’s myths and stories to shed light upon the romance behind the nation’s bid for independence. The 2014 Referendum, Crawford points out, coincided ‘mischievously’ with the 700th anniversary of the Scots victory at…
Read MoreFantastic fourth in Edinburgh crime series
Nor Will He Sleep is the fourth instalment of the Inspector McLevy series, adapted from the BBC Radio 4 series. This is an accomplished murder mystery which effortlessly paints a vivid picture of the dark and often savage streets of Edinburgh in 1887. This story buzzes with a fascinating array of dastardly and heroic characters.…
Read MoreRomance, politics intrigue and crime in Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Yuletide 1743, and Redcoat officer Robert Catto would rather be anywhere else on earth than Scotland. Seconded back from the wars in Europe to captain the city’s Town Guard, he fears his covert mission to assess the strength of the Jacobite threat will force him to confront the past he tries so hard to…
Read MoreWhen vampires came to the Scottish Highlands
I have always been a fan of the vampire genre, but this is a first for me: a tale of blood sucking horror set in the Highlands of Scotland. Despite the odd juxtaposition of genres, this is an enjoyable tale that I found difficult to put down. The lead character, Mark Campbell is well developed…
Read MoreA third serving of some delicious recipes
The Lady Laird of Ballindalloch had no intention of serving up third helpings of homemade recipes, but I am thrilled she did. This instalment is packed with delectable ideas, and includes a special nod to the country’s exceptional game. As a pudding fiend, I’m taking note of her banana, orange and passion fruit soufflé which…
Read MoreHow to trace your Scottish roots and ancestry
Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church & State Records is a thorough guide to Scotland’s genealogical landscape and is a useful tool for researchers of the diaspora to have at hand. Paton examines common records used by family historians, including censuses, tax records and registers of land ownership. A basic knowledge of the legal system…
Read MoreOvercoming her grief in the mountains
This beautifully candid memoir follows the life of Munroist, Sarah Jane Douglas, and her battle with grief. After losing her mother to cancer, Douglas finds solace in climbing Scotland’s forbidding mountains. A heart-wrenching read, it is testament to the cathartic nature of the wilderness. True stories do not always see the ‘happily ever after’ ending,…
Read MoreA fascinating insight into museums’ model ship collection
On the back of the success of Glasgow Museums’ ship model collection, they have created this extraordinary coffee table book. Taking a decade to compile, it covers all 676 ship models produced by Clyde shipyards and Glasgow-based ship owners. Ranging from the majestic RMS Queen Mary and famous Royal Navy battleship HMS Hood to the…
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