Books
One young man’s musical hopes and dreams
The Lighthouse Keepers is a moving story of a young man, Max Bruford, who, against his parents’ wishes, wants to have a career as a musician – aiming to become the best in the world. After a bad reaction to the news of his aspirations, Max comes across two lighthouse keepers, who are swallowed with…
Read MoreLooking to fight back against global warming
With a title that relates to the classic song Riders on the Storm by the Doors, this book immediately had my attention. However it is far from fun and games as it presents the seriousness of our situation and our rather pathetic fight against global warming. Despite the Coronavirus, Alastair McIntosh still deems global warming…
Read MoreQuestions for humanity’s future through verse
Born in Ireland in 1970 and currently teaching at Aberdeen University, David Wheatley is a well-known Irish poet. His work has appeared in multiple anthologies including The Penguin Book of Irish Poetry. With many prizes and awards under his name, The President of Planet Earth is no exception to his successful streak. Wheatley brings us…
Read MoreA thriller taking a look at the Scottish oil industry
If you are interested in the pursuit of equality in the workplace but also have a mind for dark thrillers, political corruption, and corporate cover ups, this is the golden nugget. Black Blood follows the story of Danni, a corporate lawyer completing her traineeship before circumstances circling around an abusive partner force her out of…
Read MoreFirst love affair in the 1970s is remembered
The Way We Were entails the love affair of author Peter Hoffman in the early 1970s, from age 16 all the way to 20. Hoffman was educated at Hunter’s Tryst School in Oxgangs, Edinburgh, and spent secondary school at Boroughmuir (more or less) and graduated from Edinburgh University, twice, the second as a post-graduate. He…
Read MoreThe Scot who took ten children to safety
Marjorie Anderson Marnoch was a remarkable woman – and her story is one that deserves to be told. Around 1980, she wrote a 28-page letter giving an incredible account of how, against the backdrop of World War II, she took ten children by ship through the waters of the Atlantic from Scotland to South Africa,…
Read MoreNew trustees sought for Wigtown Festival Company
The Wigtown Festival Company is searching for new trustees to join its board, and help continue building on its success. While it is best-known for the flagship Wigtown Book Festival which is held over 10 days in late September and early October, WFC has a year-round programme of events and local activities including a science…
Read MoreA gripping read that will keep youngsters happy
As a boy, I always loved the stories of Robert Louis Stevenson, Enid Blyton and Arthur Ransome, when young people became involved in the adult world. Somehow or other, the youngsters involved would manage to save the day, and stop the smugglers, the thieves, or whatever villainous plots the ne’er-do-wells had in mind. There’s an…
Read MoreGrandfather’s notes make for a fascinating history
Historical discoveries are amazing things, especially if there’s a family connection. While canvassing for the Scottish independence referendum in 2014, MSP Neil Findlay made a discovery. Visiting the home that used to be his grandparents’, he was shown a plywood panel where John Jock Findlay, his grandfather, had written his life’s tale. Fascinated, Neil transcribed…
Read MoreA father’s search for justice after Lockerbie Bombing
One of the most shocking moments in Scottish history came in December 1988 when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie. In the largest attack on Britain since World War Two, as 259 passengers and 11 townsfolk of Lockerbie were murdered. Among the passengers was Flora, beloved daughter of Dr Jim Swire. Libyan Abdelbaset al-Megrahi…
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