Books
Separate the myths from the medieval truths
Chris Brown uniquely retells the captivating story of William Wallace’s life. William Wallace of Elderslie, younger son of a country knight, came to fame through his active opposition to the aggressive imperialism of England’s King Edward I. From political and social obscurity he seized control of the reins of government and became the first leader…
Read MoreThe perfect book for every Scottish kitchen
Sue Lawrence, author of Scottish Baking, has been described as ‘arguably the greatest living Scottish cookery writer.’ Written by Scottish journalist and food writer, this pretty and useful baking guide can be used by anyone from the complete beginner to the most experienced home cook. Filled with 70 Scottish recipes (both sweet and savoury) from…
Read MoreThe essential guide for Scotland’s gardeners
This book is a compact colour guide of the largest survey of Scottish gardens ever mounted and the first such guidebook to all that Scotland can offer garden and plant lovers. It’s an updated must-have guide for anyone with even the slightest interest in gardens. Covering everything from the basic essentials to the most specialist…
Read MoreFive great books to help you through winter
The dark nights are still here and the brightly-coloured lights are down. To brighten up our evenings, the Rare Birds Book Club is suggesting some winter reads to keep us entertained. – 2021 Rare Birds Books founder Rachel Wood has compiled her top winter reads to see you through the blustery nights and frosty mornings.…
Read MoreA new take on the Battle of Bannockburn
In Scotland, history and politics often become entangled. For some, the past is a source of inspiration for the future. For others, it becomes a salutary lesson in what mistakes to avoid. The one thing Scottish history is not is dead, fit only for scholars and schoolchildren. The Battle of Bannockburn (23-24 June, 1314) was…
Read MoreCelebrating the wonderful Cairngorms
Writer and outdoor enthusiast Patrick Baker shares his fascinating experiences of visiting the wilderness that is the Cairngorms. He makes historical discoveries and has many tales to tell of his experiences in this area of great natural beauty. In places untouched by humans in recent years, he tries to rediscover an area of Scottish history…
Read MoreBroken rules, lost money and customers violated
The fall of Royal Bank of Scotland in 2008 was arguably one of the most disastrous events within the world of finance in more than 50 years. Ian Fraser recalls where it all went wrong for one of the biggest money making businesses that came just hours away from complete collapse. Fraser asks how and…
Read MorePoet releases first collection The Last Days of Petrol
Award winning poet and spoken word artist Bridget Khursheed has published her first full collection of work. Bridget, who is based in Darnick in the Scottish Borders, is delighted with the relase of The Last Days of Petrol, which is available now from Shearsman Books, all good bookshops and online. A poet and self-cponfessed geek,…
Read MoreArt collection showcases the beauty of the capital
This collection of Edinburgh-focused work gives us a profound sense of the different periods of time that helped shape the contemporary capital. Through the work of artists such as John Bellany, Anne Redpath, Sir Henry Raeburn and Alexander Naysmith, every aspect of the city is explored as we learn to appreciate Auld Reekie’s diversity and…
Read MoreSecrets and scandals in a fascinating biography
Lady Jane Douglas was the sister of the Duke of Douglas, the richest man in Scotland. When she reportedly gave birth to her first children (twins) at the ripe old age of 49 in a back room in Paris, questions were asked as to the whether a legitimate heir to the family fortune had been…
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