Books
Her life was ruined by a blood transfusion
This is the truly tragic tale of how one woman’s life has been affected by one of the UK’s biggest medical scandals –blood transfusion contamination. Gill Fyffe received the transfusion after undergoing a traumatic birth. Several unexplained side-effects followed and seven years later she was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Now in seriously deteriorating health and…
Read MoreDanger and excitement with Darke matter
Action-packed and thrilling, Darke Mission follows JJ Drake, a former MI5 spy, lone parent and now apparently head-down worker in the finance sector. Caladon’s contemporary scenes are set in several places – London, Scotland and North Korea. With the British government at the brink of bankruptcy, the ex-spy is forced to lead an audacious heist…
Read MoreA historical celebration of all things Montrose
Bonnie Montrose is a poetry-and-song tribute to the lovely coastal town of Montrose on the Angus coast. The book was first published in 1899 by local resident William McHardy, who celebrated the struggles, triumphs and tribulations of his friends and neighbours – while also touching upon the ever-changing landscape of this coastal town with its…
Read MoreA fun guide to Dundee exploring hidden treasures
Dundee: A Very Peculiar History is an illustrated pocket-sized guide to the hidden treasures of Dundee, Scotland’s fourth largest city. It takes a light-hearted approach but does not avoid need-to-know matters – with fact boxes, glossaries, drawings and colour gatefolds throughout. A fun and informative production, good as a gift or a handy practical helper.…
Read MoreWigtown Book Festival 2019 another big success
It’s been another superb year for the Wigtown Book Festival. Preliminary figures suggest that audience numbers matched or even bettered the 29,000 achieved for the 20th anniversary event in 2018. Organisers have thanked audiences, authors, volunteers and Wigtown’s residents for making it such a success. Anne Barclay, Wigtown Festival Company operational director, said: ‘It’s been another…
Read MoreSaving the wildcats – Scotland’s Highland tiger
For someone who initially had no particular interest in wildcats, I finished this book feeling massively concerned for their welfare and vulnerability. Marianne Taylor delves into the fascinating lives of Scottish wildcats in her Highland journey, during which she hopes to catch sight of these elusive animals. They face alarming endangerment so a need for…
Read MoreAn outsider’s look at Scotland’s capital
Chiang Yee offers an insightful and refreshing view on the capital in The Silent Traveller in Edinburgh. Refusing to let the unpredictable Scottish weather hinder his expeditions, Chiang Yee always finds beauty in the dreariest of rainstorms. He employs the technique of defamiliarisation, opening his readers’ eyes to alternative perspectives of the city through astute…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreFormer 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…
Read More800-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,…
Read More