The ideal book for the fisherman in your life

Reflections on the Loch is a wonderful hardback book, to warm the heart of any trout angler, and a perfect Christmas present. The widely-travelled Orcadian writes with passion, knowledge and experience, and is highly informative yet never dull. Not afraid to tackle issues, he is also very specific, giving tips on how to fish specific…

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Former policeman uses his eye to write new novel

Peter Ritchie uses his past experience gained from a career as a senior police officer to write this crime fiction novel with astonishing authenticity and intrigue. The book has such character and charm that it makes the life of crime seem almost appealing, if it weren’t for the violence, illegality and constant paranoia that accompanies…

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800-page new Gaelic work to be launched at festival

The first comprehensive anthology of Gaelic literature, spanning the Middle Ages to the 21st century, has been described as filled with many masterpieces of the ancient language. Tomorrow’s (5 October) launch of An Ubhal as Àirde: The Highest Apple is a highlight of the Wigtown Book Festival, which runs ends on Sunday. Co-editor Wilson McLeod,…

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A celebration of Stornoway in poetry

SY Story: A Portrait of Stornoway Harbour is a stunning poetry collection which  explores the history of Stornoway from the Mesolithic time to its present-day life as bustling modern habour. Donald S Murray successfully brings to life the town’s triumphs and tragedies, which includes the sinking of the Iolaire and the departure of the Metagama…

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The mystery and hunt for the fabled Blue Horse

Dark and atmospheric, this much-anticipated novel set in the art world tells the story of George Newhouse who is a newly appointed art curator at the Public Gallery in Edinburgh. His obsessive search for a missing Dutch masterpiece, the titular Blue Horse, leads him from Edinburgh to London, Venice and New York. The painting’s provenance…

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Bake Off’s Sandi is heading to Scotland

Organisers of the Edinburgh International Book Festival announced an event with national treasure Sandi Toksvig. Sandi will launch her new memoir Between the Stops in conversation with Scottish journalist Ruth Wishart at the Assembly Rooms on George Street on Sunday 3 November. Much like its beloved author, Toksvig’s Between the Stops wittily defies convention. A…

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The ideal guide to the Fair City of Perth

Perth: A Comprehensive Guide is a full and complete historical guide to the Fair City. There is arguably nobody more qualified to write about its development through history than Hulbert, having successfully campaigned for and won city status for Perth in 2011. Each area of the city is closely examined and his deep passion for…

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The Scottish history of Game of Thrones

Setting out to show that Game of Thrones is rooted in Scottish history, David C Weinczok draws parallels between the history of this country and that of Westeros. This book helps a fantastical world become even more of a reality. It shows how Moat Cailin is inspired by Stirling Castle, and The Wall by Hadrian’s…

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Novel focuses on issues affecting our former soldiers

R L McKinney’s debut novel follows Sean, a British soldier who has returned from Afghanistan after his best friend, Mitch, in an act of heroism saved his life but lost his own. With Mitch talking to Sean from beyond the grave, Sean begins to question his own sanity and finds the only place he fits…

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A history of warships built on the River Clyde in photos

Following on from his book on Clydebank Battlecruisers, Ian Johnston has written another using archive photographs showing the ships built by John Brown, a name that is synonymous with shipbuilding on the Clyde. The storied shipyard built some of the finest and most famous ships of the 20th century. Johnston has laid the book out…

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