Books
Writers awarded month-long residency in France
Scottish Book Trust has announced that the four Robert Louis Stevenson Fellowships for 2019. The national charity changing lives through reading and writing, revealed the new Fellowships have been awarded to Bernard McLaverty, Linda Cracknell, Philip Miller and Maria Fusco. The Fellows were selected by a panel, which changes every year. The Fellowship was initiated…
Read MoreA handy guide to traditional Scots folk songs
Before his death in 1990, Norman Buchan compiled 100 modern and traditional Scottish folk songs that have been passed on by generations of Scots. Now they have been reissued in a hand-sized book to share for another generation. Each tune is presented alongside guitar chords and a melodic line so you can play along to…
Read MoreThe story of the man behind New Lanark
The first full biography of David Dale, founding father of socialism, this book reflects 30 years of research. David J McLaren came to know about Dale through an interest in Robert Owen’s New Lanark, the famous 18th-century cotton-spinning community, and his attempts to forge a ‘new view’ of society. But it was during Dale’s ownership…
Read MoreThe essential guide to fantastic gins
We are in the middle of a gin craze – hardly a week goes by without the release of a new brand or artisanal distillery and serious gin bars are stocking well over 300 brands. But how do you choose? Is Edinburgh Gin a style, or just a name? Can a rose-flower and cucumber infusion…
Read MoreA guide to one of the most important gardens
Regarded as one of the most important gardens in Britain, Little Sparta in the Pentland Hills has become renowned the world over. Ian Hamilton Finlay’s anarchic collection contains 300 artworks by himself and others, designed to evolve over time. This beautifully illustrated guide to the garden is the perfect companion for anyone visiting or interested…
Read MoreA life on the hills after rejecting city life
In the early 1990s, Jonny Turnbull packed in his job and bought the 7,500 acre Strone Estate in Argyll. Now, having passed it on to his son, he’s written about the experience. A ‘magical kingdom’, Strone now boasts woodlands, and more red and roe deer. This fascinating account details what Turnbull learnt along the way,…
Read MoreA girl’s battle with anorexia told with honesty
Tina McGuff’s life was perfect – or so she thought. Living in Dundee with her devoted parents and three younger sisters, she was a happy, healthy and confident thirteen-year-old. When Tina’s mother attacked her father in a premeditated act of revenge, Tina’s life changed forever. As her family fell apart at the seams, the weight…
Read MoreCelebrating salmon and fishing on the Tweed
Arguably the greatest salmon fishing system in Europe, the River Tweed is well known for its 98-mile long stretch of water that is perfect for the sport. While many writers such as William Scrope and Tom Stoddart have previously written about salmon fishing on the River Tweed, none have managed to cover the stretch in…
Read MoreShining a light on Scotland’s lighthouses
Scotland has an especially rich lighthouse tradition, mainly due to a dynasty of Stevenson engineers covering over a century. All of them had a profound understanding of weather and geology. This fine illustrated book highlights the contribution made by lighthouse keepers to the study of natural history. A Natural History of Lighthouse, by John A…
Read MoreLomond School pupil nets author’s exclusive interview
An exclusive insight into the writing of Polly Clark’s much anticipated book Tiger has been revealed through the star author’s first interview ahead of launch – by a pupil at Lomond School. Eighteen-year-old Daisy Harris, a sixth year pupil, spoke to Polly for the revival of Lomond School’s newspaper The Phoenix, asking about inspiration for…
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