Books
Book review: Downhill From Here
As he approached his mid-forties, Gavin Boyter wondered what his life was all about. This is the tale of an ordinary runner undertaking an extraordinary feat by attempting to conquer Britain by running its length from John O’Groats to Land’s End, the longest linear run in the UK. Boyter’s engaging and witty writing captivates the…
Read MoreBook review: St Valery and its Aftermath
In many histories of the Second World War, much is written about great generals and momentous battles while the story of the ordinary soldier goes untold. This is not the case in Stewart Mitchell’s superbly researched work. Through personal accounts, often told here for the first time, Mitchell tells the story of the men of the…
Read MoreBook review – Making For Home: A Tale of the Scottish Borders
A former art historian, farmer and writer, Alan Tait has lived in the Moffat Water Valley for over 40 years. He describes his third book as a memoir, a meditation on the nature of buildings in the area and a history of the valley. Tait skillfully weaves together the history and tales of the landscape…
Read MoreBook review: A Field Guide to Whisky
From the general to the specific, this book by Hans Offringa has the answers to all the questions you can possibly think of relating to the water of life. What are the basic ingredients in all whiskies? What is the difference between malt, scotch, bourbon and rye whiskies? What are the latest trends on the…
Read MoreBook review – Spirit of Place: Whisky Distilleries of Scotland
Scotland’s whisky industry is a fascinating area, not just with the tipple itself, but also the surrounding industry. In Spirit of Place, Charles Maclean, the author of many notable works on whisky, explores the fifty greatest distilleries in Scotland. Not only does he tell a brief history of each distillery, it captures the spirit of…
Read MoreScottish book shop was at the centre of its own real-life drama
The first-ever marriage proposal in a Scottish bookshop was a touch of drama straight out of a novel. It was a tale of true romance in Scotland’s bookshop holiday destination during Big Bang festival. The Open Book second-hand bookshop, one of the nation’s quirkiest holiday destinations, has become the centre of a real life tale…
Read MoreBook review – Enlightenment Edinburgh: A Guide
Edinburgh was the intellectual hub of the western world in the 18th century, with treatises and lectures on science, medicine, law, architecture, philosophy and political economy being delivered in the city. At the heart of this was the New Town area, with the buildings of the period being celebrated in this guide, carefully detailed by…
Read MoreA Study in Tartan as new Sherlock design is kept in the family
Sherlock Holmes has a new official tartan – and it’s been kept in the family. Tania Henzell has designed the new tartan, and she is the step great, great granddaughter of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who created the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. This new creation is titled the Sherlock Holmes Tartan. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle…
Read MoreBook review: Alexander Henry – Rifle Maker, by Donald Dallas
The fascinating story of an acclaimed Scots rifle maker is chronicled in a fascinating new biography. Released as a private publication for Donald Dallas, this book gives an in depth history of Edinburgh rifle maker Alexander Henry. Alexander Henry (1818–1894) was in business in Edinburgh for only a short period, 42 years, but in that…
Read MoreBook review: Follow The Dead by Lin Anderson
Forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod returns in the 12th book of her series by the exquisite Lin Anderson. Follow the Dead takes her to the Cairngorms, joining a mountain rescue team after a mysterious plane has crash-landed, while one person is missing and three are dead on a climbing trip nearby. As if that wasn’t enough,…
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