Books
Teenagers given a writing boost by Book Trust
The Scottish Book Trust has today announced the seven teenage writers and illustrators who will join the What’s Your Story? programme. Now in its fourth year, the scheme from the national charity – transforming lives through reading and writing – has so far assisted over 20 young people from across Scotland to develop writing, illustration…
Read MoreRemembering a forgotten Scots explorer
William Speirs Bruce’s name has been largely forgotten in the realms of polar exploration and research. He was a Scottish nationalist and naturalist who led the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition (1902-1904), This book examines his life, a determined passion for oceanography and his own personal struggles as someone who appears to have been on the…
Read MoreThe story of Britain’s most beautiful shortcut
The Crinal Canal runs across the Kintyre peninsula – and by 1854, 33,000 passengers had been transported along it. Marian Pallister explores the canal from its origins, discussing the purpose and method of its construction, the ways in which it has been used and the effect it has had on its surroundings. The outcome is…
Read MoreWith James Bond writer, you only live twice
You know the name… you know the number – James Bond, 007. As the author of the James Bond novel Solo, William Boyd has shared parts of his own life with Ian Fleming’s eternally popular hero. Published in 2013, Solo centres on Bond’s mission to the civil war in the fictional country of Zanzarin, where…
Read MoreExploring the Highland distilleries on a Vespa
After a successful tour of Tuscany by Vespa, Ben Birdsall has taken on the ultimate whisky tour – three weeks, one thousand miles and many many distilleries in the Highlands and western islands of Scotland. On a 1979 50cc Vespino that manages to average just 20mph, Birdsall explores the myths and mysteries of over 40…
Read MoreThe true story of Robert the Bruce – the Outlaw King
Myth and legend are stripped away to reveal the true and incredibly complicated tale of Scotland’s outlaw King, Robert the Bruce. Highly regarded as an expert on 14th-century Scottish history, Brown’s approach to dissecting true history and stripping away the many fabrications results in an easy read which is both engaging and informative. A great…
Read MoreScottish Book Trust award winners 2019 revealed
People who have had a positive impact on young readers in Scotland have been rewarded for their hard work. Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, has revealed the recipients of the 2019 Outstanding Achievement Award and Learning Professional Award. The awards are given annually to one author or illustrator,…
Read MoreThe real story of former slave who escaped to Scotland
Historically overlooked, Jeffrey Green explores the African-American people who travelled to Britain to escape the horrors of slavery in America. This includes the fascinating story of H.E. Lewis, a former slave who came to Scotland in the 1850s and worked as a hypnotist, making strangers fall asleep and then act on his suggestions. He also…
Read MoreA celebration of Scotland’s gin market
With little indication that the gin bubble is set to burst anytime soon, Scotland is booming with distilleries creating their own style of the spirit. In this colourful book, Scottish Gin Awards judge Sean Murphy explores the history of gin and the variety of Scottish gin on the market. For each of the 50 gins…
Read MoreNovel on missing Highland girls on awards longlist
A lawyer turned island crime author could see her new Skye-based thriller short-listed for the Highland Book Prize on Wednesday. Anna Mazzola, whose passion for justice propels her writing, has spent her career as a human rights lawyer representing marginalised individuals, including those who fall through gaps in the criminal justice system. She only started…
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