Posts Tagged ‘reviews’
Bellfield Brewery: Keeping ‘Vigil’ on Edinburgh’s beer
Bellfield Brewery took a ‘deep dive’ into gluten-free beers, but is now moving them from a niche into the mainstream, writes Peter Ranscombe. WHILE the rest of the nation sat transfixed by BBC One submarine drama Vigil last autumn, Bellfield Brewery in Edinburgh was preparing to take delivery of its very own stainless-steel tubes. “They…
Read MoreThe history of the Scottish National War Memorial
This poignant account of the building of the Scottish National War Memorial is a must-read. Author Duncan Macmillan recounts the history of one of the most ambitious and successful public works of its time. First mooted in 1917, The Scottish National War Memorial was opened by Edward, Prince of Wales, on 14th July 1927. Paid…
Read MoreKeeping Scots fairytales alive for children
The Dragon Stoorworm is a traditional Scottish tale beautifully retold for younger readers. We learn that the Dragon Stoorworm was the very first, very worst dragon that ever lived. It was ginormous: almost as big as the whole of Scotland! The King of Scotland called for warriors to defeat the terrible dragon and save his…
Read MoreThe most ship-shape cookbook of all time
I always pictured food served aboard our mariners and matelots to be a school canteen situation with wrinkled sausages and dry mash. I’m thankful to be proven wrong by this toothsome cookbook. Chefs at sea may not have access to all the ingredients, but those at home can support a good cause, benefit from the…
Read MoreThe real-life adventures of presenter Simon Reeve
In Journeys to Impossible Places, best-selling author and presenter Simon Reeve reveals the inside story of his most astonishing adventures and experiences, around the planet and close to home. It continues the story Simon started in his bestseller Step by Step, which traced the first decades of his life from depressed and unemployed teenager through to…
Read MoreFrom Sheffield with love to Scotland’s islands
Despite living in Sheffield, author Richard Clubley’s love for the Scottish islands brings him north several times a year. And in this book, he gives a passionate account of what makes these places so special and worth visiting. He meets locals and learns a few realities of island life. He almost perished on Ailsa Craig,…
Read MoreCelebrating the best spots for wild swimming
Swimmers of all backgrounds share their experiences and recommendations amongst the seas, burns, rivers and over 30,000 lochs in Scotland. A guide that not only shows you the best spots to sink into but also the tips, safety, etiquette and responsibility that should come hand-in-hand with wild swimming. A great gift for those bobble-hat-wearing swimmers…
Read MoreAn alternative look at Highland land reform
Prominent land reformer Jim Hunter has produced a compelling account of the modern-day Highlands. Here, there is a battle between environmentalists’ attempts to conserve the nature and landscapes, and the Highlanders themselves trying to preserve their way of life and their culture. This thought-provoking read considers both viewpoints: the Highlanders feel they have a better…
Read MoreMyths and legends from Scotland put in focus
One of my favourite features of mythology and folk tales is the ability to pinpoint the land that they originate from by examining the geography, history and local customs to be found in each piece. Angus, an underrated region of Scotland in my very humble opinion, is put on display through tales of wolves and…
Read MoreA true celebration of Scottish mountaineering
Subtitled ‘A Celebration of Scottish Mountaineering’, The Great Mountain Crags of Scotland is a huge guide to the greatest crags in Scotland revolves around some stunning photography. This, along with the first-hand experiences of some of Scotland’s greatest mountaineers and detailed descriptions of the places and possible routes to take, make this excellent book a…
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