Books
A bygone Scotland captured in photography
This is a concise paperback edition of the bestselling Scottish photographic book. In the early 1960s, in the course of recording a Dunfermline mill building that was scheduled for demolition, RCAHMS surveyors discovered an incredible collection of over 800 glass plate negatives. Taken between 1880 and 1919, the photographs are a remarkable record of a…
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 MoreAn immersive history on the creation of Scotland
‘The story of a “crucible of nations” is not of any single people, much less a modern nation-state. It’s about shared heritage and interaction, without ignoring these different voices.’ On one of Edinburgh’s many, many dreich days, there is nowhere better to be than rambling through the extensive collections on display at the National Museum…
Read MoreAye Write has Chris Tarrant, Celia Imrie and more
Organisers of Glasgow’s Aye Write book festival have launched their star-studded programme of events, which will run across three weekends this spring, between 6-22 May. Heralding its return to live events in venues across the city, the Aye Write line-up is as eclectic and exciting as ever. Guests, amongst many others, include: Olivier Award-winning actress…
Read MoreNeu Treasures at the National Library of Scotland
The National Library of Scotland and Neu! Reekie! have commissioned 12 artists to respond to 12 collection items which will be displayed in the new Treasures exhibition space which habe opened to the public. Treasures of the National Library of Scotland is a new permanent thematic display, featuring objects from the extensive collection at the…
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 celebration of field sports with fishing and shooting
Scotland has long had a love affair with sport. More famous as the birthplace of golf and for the popularity of sports like football and rugby, this passionate collection of essays brings to life our nation’s relationship with different kinds of sport – fishing and shooting. Lord James Percy grew up in the untamed landscapes…
Read MoreFull guest list revealed for Boswell Book Festival
The world’s only book festival dedicated to biography and memoir returns live to Dumfries House from 13-15 May 2022. Named in honour of the great biographer James Boswell, the first festival was in 2011. Following the success of last year’s online festival with guests and audiences from around the globe many of this year’s events…
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…
Read MoreA whisky atlas of Europe will hit the shelves this week
An atlas covering the whisky (and whiskey) distilleries of Europe is set to be published next month. The Whisk(e)y Atlas Europe 2022 is the continuation of the Whisk(e)y Atlas North America 2021, with the aim being to show lovers of a dram the rapid development of whisk(e)y in recent years. However, this time, the focus…
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