Books
The climbing ambitions of Hamish MacInnes
Few names are as synonymous with the British climbing scene as that of MacInnes. A trailblazing Scot from Gatehouse of Fleet known as ‘The Fox of Glencoe’, he took on solo yomps up The Matterhorn, attempted to scale Everest four times, survived an avalanche, invented lifesaving climbing equipment including an all-metal ice axe and a…
Read MoreThe life story of the Big Yin – in his own words
I didn’t think it possible to love this comedy stalwart any more than I already did, but then this book landed on my desk. Told through a dictaphone and transcribed by his family, this is the first time Sir Billy Connolly has shared his life story in his own words. He of course treats us…
Read MoreDog days with sports broadcaster Andrew Cotter
‘Olive leapt onto one of the luggage trolleys and we were able to wheel her, like a midsized suitcase, to the lifts. What’s more, she seemed to enjoy the process, moving along in a stately fashion past the hotel manager, who forced a tolerant smile.’ And just like that, Cotter, Olive and Mabel have been…
Read MoreBoswell Book Festival unveils opening night guests
There’s less than two months to go until the Boswell Book Festival returns. Organisers are currently finalising the festival programme – the world’s only festival of biography and autobiographies – for their return to Dumfries House in East Ayrshire over the weekend of 13-15 May. On the opening night, guests will include sports broadcaster and…
Read MoreFind a better you with Scotland as inspiration
Who needs a gym when you have Scotland? That’s the message the back page of The Kilted Coaches: How to Stick to the Damn Plan, as it encourages people to get fit using the country’s natural resources. The pair behind this book know what they’re talking about, having created hundreds of videos, garnered thousands of…
Read MoreCarbon credit trading guide for agriculture
A newly published interim guide will help landlords and tenants of agricultural holdings benefit from and avoid potential pitfalls around carbon credit trading. The climate emergency has created the rapidly emerging market in carbon trading where certain activities which remove carbon from the atmosphere can be sold on or used to offset other emissions. Reports…
Read MoreAye Write and Wee Write book festivals return this spring
The Aye Write book festival will this year return to its home of Glasgow’s Mitchell Library. There will be a live programme of events to be held across three weekends, between 6-22 May, whilst Wee Write, the book festival for children and young people, runs at the earlier time of 25-30 April. Aye Write and…
Read MoreThe importance of faith in wartime Clydebank
The incredible use of descriptive language in Michael Cannon’s fifth novel paints an outstanding picture of community life at Glasgow’s docklands during the early part of the Second World War. This novel examines the impact of faith and fanaticism on a community beleaguered by war. Articles of Faith follows the fortunes of Campbell and Gig,…
Read MoreA novel reflecting the troubles of a small town life
Out of university and out of luck, Ben Hamilton moves back in with his parents to stack shelves at the local supermarket. There he meets a group of friends and quickly finds himself dragged into secrecy, heavy drinking, and a violent feud. Trouble flares as the boys test the limits of their own behaviour, small-town…
Read MoreThe last man to die for the Jacobite cause
Had Doctor Archibald Cameron had his way, there would probably have been no last Jacobite Rising in 1745. His life is one of nobility and high adventure featuring buried treasure, treachery and clan feuds. It is thrilling and tragic. This is wonderfully detailed social history of Dr Cameron, the last man to die for the…
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