Books
A life on the hills is a fascinating chronicle
It isn’t very often you see books documenting a life spent on the hills. But in Sixty Glorious Seasons: The Memoirs of Finlay Mackintosh, a Badenoch Stalker 1883-1966, we learn the subject certainly lived a fascinating life. His time working in Badenoch as a stalker is inspiring, especially for those who know the area themselves.…
Read MoreA short story collection from beautiful Speyside
Set in beautiful Speyside, Speyside Memories contains a collection of short stories based on the author’s experiences of living in the area. The eleven stories begin with Matheson reminiscing over his childhood living on a small farm during wartime. The retired surgeon, who worked as a consultative surgeon in Aberdeen, then delves into his love…
Read MoreCappuccino and Porridge – a real life romance
When I first picked up Cappuccino and Porridge, I was all set to don my chef hat and ready myself for a new breakfast recipe – but never judge a book by its cover. The name Cappuccino and Porridge is, in fact, a hint at a beautiful melange of Italian and Scottish heritage. Inspired by…
Read MoreThe noble Scottish family who had it all – and lost it
The debut book by television producer Simon Welfare depicts the fascinating lives of John and Ishbel Gordon, the Marquess and Marchioness of Aberdeen. The couple aimed to change the world with their passion for philanthropic endeavours and social reform. However, they ended up losing their fortune after years of generosity. As the couple were the…
Read MoreBloody Scotland reveals shortlist for debut novel award
The Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival has revealed that three of the books on this year’s McIlvanney Prize longlist have made the shortlist for this year’s Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year. The 2021 shortlist is: The Silent Daughter by Emma Christie (Wellbeck) – from Aberdeen / Portobello No Harm Done by…
Read MoreDelicious recipes and plenty of foraging tips
Liz Knight, a leading wild food expert, has created a beautifully illustrated book filled with foraging tips and recipes. From more traditional plants like blackberries and elder, to lesser used foliage such as Japanese knotweed and mallow, this book delves into all things wild and edible. If anyone can inspire you to make the most…
Read MoreA fascinating insight to restoring Scotland’s skies
In the current climate, Restoring The Wild: Sixty Years of Rewilding Our Skies is more important than ever. Roy Dennis has spent his entire career working in Scotland on the conservation of rare birds and the reintroduction of lost species. With chapters titled ‘Endurance’, ‘Optimism’, ‘Global Vision’ and ‘Legacy’, Roy’s passion and love of wildlife…
Read MoreA fascinating read that will keep you smiling
Despite what you might think, Your Inner Hedgehog is not a story about hedgehogs. Instead, it follows the story of the hilarious German professor Dr Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld as he navigates life at his workplace, the University of Regensburg. Written by the best-selling author of The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, Alexander McCall Smith, this is…
Read MoreFascinating tales from a shipwreck hunter
Treasure Islands: True Tales of a Shipwreck Hunter is a thrilling memoir. Alec Crawford recalls some of his most memorable dives from his time as a deep-water salvager, exploring shipwrecks off the coast. One particularly interesting exploration is that of the White Star liner Oceanic, which was the largest ship in the world at the…
Read MoreWhen lairds had their private railway stations
When compared to other books of its kind, Lairds in Waiting stands out. It focuses on the private railway stations and waiting rooms situated along the Highland route and the families and lairds who used them. (Think VIP lounges at the airport, reserved for high-flying A-listers). Paterson highlights the history of villages such as Fochabers…
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