Discovering the darker side of her family tree

Cal Flyn was holidaying at her childhood home in the Highlands of Scotland when she stumbled upon a little-known, dark family secret. The journalist discovered that her great-great-great uncle, Angus McMillan, who had been mythologised as a great explorer and pioneer of early Australia, had in fact been the leader of a number of gruesome…

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Argyll celebrated in geography and biography

Author Ian Bradley’s love of Argyll shines through as he takes both a geographical and biographical approach. He looks at the interplay of landscape and Christian belief through figures such as Columba, Carswell, sundry Campbells, George Matheson, George MacLeod and others. Drawing on original research and interviews, this is an enthralling and fascinating read for…

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Car boot find leads to a new case for sleuth

Private Investigations, an instalment in the Bob Skinner mysteries, sees the Edinburgh sleuth plunged into a gruelling new case.  The former Chief Constable has seen his fair share of crime scenes, but few affected him as much as the horrifying sight he finds stowed in the back of a stolen car that collides with his.…

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A novel take on turbulent marriage of Robert Burns

The Jewel is a historical novel which follows the dramatic years of Jean Armour and Robert Burns’ courtship, and their turbulent, passionate married life. Bringing 18th-century Scotland to life, The Jewel is the story of a romantic and tragic relationship, with the death of six children and the early demise of Rab, aged 37. How…

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Rural Scotland celebrated with history and tales

Dr Fiona-Jane Brown’s love of Aberdeenshire has been re-affirmed with the third instalment in a series of local history books. Hidden Aberdeenshire: The Land provides the history and folk tales from across the region in superb detail. A fun book of short stories, this collection links the historic sights of Aberdeenshire with its folklore, a…

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A beautiful photographic guide to the Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye is a photographic evocation of one of the best-known and most-iconic parts of Scotland. Iain Kirk Campbell’s large landscape-format book beautifully captures Skye’s many different moods, from the darker, more brooding side of the island’s character, to its bright lights and cheerful flora and fauna. Divided into sections, the book looks…

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A crime thriller that ticks all the right boxes

Brooke Magnanti’s first stab at a crime thriller hits all the must-haves of the genre – secrets, lies… and dead bodies. Protagonist Erykah Macdonald had little to call her own growing up, but she turned things around and has a ‘nice’ life now – the kind of life you’re meant to want; pleasant house, good…

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The perfect book to entertain the little ones

Written by Alan Windram and beautifully illustrated by Chloe Holwill-Hunter, A Puppy’s Tale is a charming children’s book for two to five year olds. It tells the story of energetic little puppy Georgie who gets lost in the woods. There are so many exciting and interesting things to see and smell, and Georgie loves to…

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The history of a Scottish squadron is published

A new book about The History of the Ayrshire Yeomanry Squadron has been released. Written by William Purdie, the book covers 60 years of history and all the various changes which have taken place since the Ayrshire Yeomanry Regiment was disbanded and became a Squadron. It was launched by Major Peter Kennedy at Yeomanry House…

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Gripping thriller will keep you glued into the night

Fans of the Inspector McLean crime novels will not be disappointed by this instalment, The Damage Done, with Oswald delivering another gritty page-turner that will keep you reading late into the night. When an Edinburgh Police vice squad raid goes embarrassingly awry, Inspector Tony McLean finds himself haunted by echoes of his first case. With…

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