Books
Burns centenary book located at charity sale
A chance find at a charity book sale has been found to be a literary gem. Cassie Kennedy was attending the sale and knew she had stumbled upon something special when she uncovered a copy of The National Burns. After a bit of online research, she came to realise that the book is indeed historically…
Read MoreFour new books about Shetland’s War to be launched
The first of four books about Shetland’s role in the First World War will be launched later this month. The are being published by Shetland Library in partnership with the Shetland Museum and Archives. In 1916, Shetland brothers Charlie and Willie Abernethy served together in the trenches at the Somme as ordinary soldiers in the…
Read MoreA chocolate treat to mark this year’s book festival
Visitors to the Edinburgh International Book Festival can treat themselves to a special limited-edition dessert. Throughout August, The Ivy on the Square will be unveiling a brand new limited-edition dessert to celebrate their sponsorship of 2018’s Edinburgh International Book Festival. The Cranachan Chocolate Bombe – a mouthwatering sweet treat with raspberries, toasted oatmeal and vanilla…
Read MoreScotland’s book trail will be a hit with young and old
Scotland has inspired some of the world’s best-loved literary creations – from Peter Rabbit to Peter Pan, Harry Potter to The Howlat. Whether it’s history, landscapes, wildlife or even architecture, for decades authors have used some of the country’s greatest assets to create characters that continue to delight readers of all ages. In recognition of…
Read MoreShetland author returns to island for final book
Bestselling crime author Ann Cleeves is visiting Shetland to launch her latest novel – and say a bittersweet farewell to detective Jimmy Perez. Wild Fire is the eighth and final book in the Shetland series, which has been adapted into a hit BBC series. Ann launched her first Perez novel – Raven Black – in…
Read MoreA magical place called Ardnish is well worth a visit
A peninsula, jutting out from Moidart, pointing to Eigg, Muck and Rum, cliffs along both sides until the westerly end where the communities of Peanmeanach, Laggan and Sloch used to house the two hundred MacDonalds, Gillies, MacVarish, MacEachan and MacQueens. Nellie MacQueen was the last to leave Peanmeanach in 1943 and the beautiful sandy beach with the…
Read MoreBook review: Roald Dahl’s Reekin Rhymes
What’s the story? In recent years, many children’s books have been getting rather special makeovers, taking them and translating them into Scots. For example, Roald Dahl’s The Twits became the Eejits, while JK Rowling’s first Harry Potter book became The Philosopher’s Stane). The entertaining trend continues with Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes, becoming Reekin Rhymes. Dahl…
Read MoreReview: The Willow Tea Rooms Recipe Book
This is far more than a straightforward recipe book, as The Willow Tea Rooms is the story of a piece of Glasgow’s history. It opens with an introduction by Anne Mulhern, who revived the tearooms in the 1980s, followed by a brief history of the original tearooms founded by Kate Cranston and designed by Charles…
Read MoreReview: The Treasure of the Loch Ness Monster
With a refreshing new spin on the classic legend of the Loch Ness Monster, Lari Don offers children a tender and inspiring tale. Cousins Kenneth and Ishbel cross Loch Ness in search of the famed treasure beneath Urquhart Castle so they can buy food for the winter. Driven by the legend of the castle’s two…
Read MoreBook review: Spey Flies – How To Tie Them
Veteran fly fisherman and expert fly tier Bob Veverka offers perhaps the most extensive book yet on Spey flies. Putting all he’s learned down on paper, he includes how-to-cast guides complete with step-by-step photos and informative paragraphs on the different Spey patterns and colours. A must-have for any fly fishing enthusiast, the level of detail…
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