Books
A guide to the bad ones of 17th century Argyll
Ane Compact of Villany explores the gangs of early Jacobites, thieves, housebreakers and highwaymen who ran a protection racket in Argyll during the 1680s to the 1700s. For Argyll locals the tale of the gang will be a familiar one, with native place names peppered throughout. The story is a classic good versus evil tale,…
Read MoreAn amazing personal journey preserved in time
They say that the past is another country – so that must go doubly so for Last Bid for Freedom – An African Journey. The book was written by Ronald Macduff Urquhart, an accomplished Edinburgh lawyer, during his travels through Africa between 1951 and 1952. Amazingly, he wrote up his journal of his exploits at…
Read MoreScottish Time Lord Tennant is back in the TARDIS
Scots star David Tennant is back as Doctor Who in three new stories this week. Tennant, from Paisley, who played the Time Lord on television from 2005-2010, returns to the TARDIS in the trio of tales – two of which are written by fellow Scots, Jenny T Colgan and Roy Gill. The stories are available…
Read MoreA murder mystery for Hamish Macbeth to solve
M C Beaton continues her Hamish Macbeth series with a mystery featuring Scotland’s clever but unmotivated policeman. James Harrison moves to a restored cabin with his beautiful private nurse, Gloria. When Hamish welcomes them to the county, the old man is rude to him. Gloria apologises on his behalf and Hamish asks her to dinner.…
Read MoreThe doomed Scottish colony in Central America
Darien, a jungle-clad province on the Panamanian isthmus, played a key role in the formation of Britain. The Company of Scotland’s attempt to establish a trading post and colony there in the late seventeenth century incurred massive debts that would become intrinsic to the negotiation of the Act of Union between England and Scotland in…
Read MoreWalk across ancient Scotland caught in art form
Walks across ancient Scotland feature in a new beautiful, contemplative artist’s book. Tracks: Walking the Ancient Landscapes of Britain accompanies Philip Hughes’ exhibition at Charleston, Land, which celebrates the Downs in East Sussex and West Penwith in the extrme west of Cornwall. In over 140 superbly reproduced artworks, artist Philip records 11 iconic walks across…
Read MoreFamous Scots highlight their favourite places
My Scotland: By Its Famous Sons And Daughters is glossy coffee-table book featuring 58 interviews with some of the world’s best-known Scots. Exquisite photos of Scotland run alongside the interviews as each celebrity gives the inside scoop on their childhood memories, their favourite places and how our beautiful country has influenced their lives and careers.…
Read MoreUllapool Book Festival winner is revealed
Andrew Miller’s Now We Shall be Entirely Free has been announced as the winner of the Highland Book Prize at The Ullapool Book Festival. Alex Ogilvie, Highland Book Prize judge and trustee of the Highland Society of London said, ‘[Now We Shall be Entirely Free] is beautifully written fiction that is bold and challenging, this…
Read MoreEverything you need in a helpful cookbook
Hattie Ellis champions simple home cooking in her cookbook The One Pot Cook. The book contains 150 simple recipes for one pot wonders that are perfect for a bustling family home. Filled with classic winter warmers such as macaroni chesese and cottage pie, as well as many dessert recipes, the book covers all the culinary…
Read MoreSkullduggery and danger in the Munro saga
Clan feuds, skullduggery and medieval warfare feature in A House Divided, a turbulent tale of 16th century Scotland and France. In this eagerly awaited sequel to Turn of the Tide, Skea continues the story of the Munro family who are forced into hiding by William Cunninghame. Gripping from the get-go, with drama and intrigue woven…
Read More