Books
The incredible life of Scottish icon Stanley Baxter
This authorised biography has generated headlines because in it 95-year-old Stanley Baxter comes out as gay, yet there is so much more to this account of the actor’s life than that revelation. This jauntily-written book is a veritable treasure trove of anecdotes that shine a light on one of Scotland’s most beloved, yet most enigmatic,…
Read MoreIt’s a dog’s life with internet sensation Labradors
The moment this book, Olive, Mabel & Me: Life and Adventures with Two Very Good Dogs landed on the desk, there were gasps of excitement. Written by one of the most recognisable voices in sports broadcasting, Andrew Cotter tells of his adventures with his two faithful Labradors, Olive and Mabel, who became internet sensations during…
Read MoreA perfect guide to Scots flora and fauna for children
Aimed squarely at the primary-school market, this highly educational atlas covers all the major fauna of Scotland. The book is split into four main sections – sea and coast; mountains and forests; rivers and lochs; and grasslands. We then learn a little about all of the creatures that live in each area. It’s presented in…
Read MoreA fascinating look at Scotland’s military aerodromes
The depth of Malcolm Fife’s knowledge on this niche subject of military aerodromes is staggering. Granted, it is highly academic reading, but the legions of history buff s with a thirst for all things Air Force-related will love picking this up on a rainy afternoon. Exploring everything from RAF Donibristle, which was once used as…
Read MoreClanlands is an astonishingly gripping travelogue
Sometimes you just have to admit when you are wrong, and this is one of those (rare) occasions. I started this book with a heavy heart, but by the time I’d finished I was sorry I’d managed to whizz through this quirky Scottish travelogue quite so quickly. Heughan and McTavish, in case you’ve never heard…
Read MoreGorge yourself on a celebration of all things cheese
As a turophile – the official term for a lover of cheese – The Philosophy of Cheese was a glorious read. Cheese guru Patrick Rance once wrote that ‘a slice of good cheese is never just a thing to eat, it’s usually a slice of local history: agricultural, political or ecclesiastical’ and this book backs…
Read MoreVikings, huge crustaceans and a helpful seagull
The basis of A Large Measure of Snow is that in December 1967, with all roads to the town of Kinloch cut off by snow, its fishing fleet sets off for Girvan in search of food. On board one boat, the Girl Maggie, is first mate Hamish, who has – to everyone’s amazement – been…
Read MoreThe fascinating story of one Scottish river’s song
If Rivers Could Sing, a delightful little book, is subtitled ‘A year in the life of the River Devon as it passes through the counties of Perthshire, Kinross-shire and Clackmannanshire’. It and covers the 33 miles between the river’s origins at 1,800ft above sea level in the Ochil Hills before running in a U-shape through…
Read MoreThe autobiography of a true Scottish rugby great
Ken Scotland, a fullback for Heriot’s, Cambridge University, Scotland and the British & Irish Lions in the fifties and sixties, was one of the finest players this country has ever produced. An exponent of running rugby and an outstanding sportsman (he also played cricket for Scotland), celebrated Lions skipper Tom Kiernan reckoned he was the…
Read MoreGlasgow Women’s Library announces fifth literary festival
Glasgow Women’s Library has announced its 2021 Open the Door programme, the literary festival that puts women to the fore. Inspired by Glasgow’s long history of bold, creative women, the theme this year is writers who are artists and artists who are writers, and GWL will be celebrating how they weave these two practices together.…
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