Books
Magic can be made with a host of cupboard cans
Trying to eat well while sticking to a modest budget isn’t easy and we often resort to the same handful of dishes again and again. What Jessica Elliot Dennison has put together here in Tin Can Magic is an ingenious catalogue of recipes which use up things that most people consistently stock in their cupboards.…
Read MoreCelebrating a forgotten Scotswoman artist
As with most female artists of her time, Mary Cameron’s name faded into relative obscurity following her death in 1921. Captivated by Spanish culture, Cameron created large scale compositions of traditional peasant life and dramatic bullfights. While providing a catalogue of her vibrant and evocative work with additional context, the book also gives an extremely…
Read MoreLast chance to enter creative writing competition
The deadline is looming for young budding authors to be part of a new exclusive story collection commissioned by one of Scotland’s leading hotel groups. Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels has tasked children aged 5-14 to submit a short story of up to 200 words, fact or fiction, with 30 shortlisted stories being printed in…
Read MoreThe horrors of war and the stories of two men
By using a rich collection of primary source material, author Gary Sheffield has woven a detailed picture of the lives of two men connected by both family ties and the horrors of war in In Haig’s Shadow. He shines a light on a story which has been entrenched in false truths and obscurity for many…
Read MoreLiving life to the Max in Dundee – a true story
Definitely not one for the faint-hearted, A Guide to Surviving Childhood is the story of a Dundee girl, Max, and her mum, Big Max. It’s laden with hilarious, explicit and more than a few non-PC anecdotes. Being from the City of Discovery myself, this book contains so many references that I completely relate to and…
Read MoreAn honest memoir of two complex relationships
In this posthumous memoir following her death in October 2019, Deborah Orr explores the deeply complex relationship she had with both her home town of Motherwell and her mother. Orr was an award-winning journalist renowned for her unapologetic and candid column writing through which she gained a loyal following across the newspapers she worked for.…
Read MoreA sporting memoir with nostalgia and warmth
I’ve been a bit of a rugby fan for years and despite not understanding 50% of the laws, the atmosphere and enthusiasm of both the crowd and the players is more than enough to keep me engaged. This book is the story of one former Scottish rugby player, Ian Smith, who describes a period when…
Read MoreA celebration of Scotland’s monuments
Many of us walk or drive past the same monuments or memorials every single day. But how much, if anything, do we really know about the people behind them? At first glance I wasn’t sure how exciting Scotland Remembered would prove to be. Meighan has put together an extensive list of the monuments and memorials…
Read MorePoetry and photos from the Hebrides
The Spirit of the Hebrides combines poetry and photography to explore the land and seascapes of the islands in all seasons and weathers. It does this whilst paying homage to the Gaelic poet Sorley MacLean. This is a lovely book that will bring an instant sense of tranquility every time you decide to delve into…
Read MoreAnother winner of a Scottish cookbook
The Lady Laird of Ballindalloch had no intention of serving up third helpings of homemade recipes with I Love Food 3, but I am thrilled she did. This instalment is packed with delectable ideas, and includes a special nod to the country’s exceptional game. As a pudding fiend, I’m taking note of her banana, orange…
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