Books
Former policeman uses his eye to write new novel
Peter Ritchie uses his past experience gained from a career as a senior police officer to write this crime fiction novel with astonishing authenticity and intrigue. The book has such character and charm that it makes the life of crime seem almost appealing, if it weren’t for the violence, illegality and constant paranoia that accompanies…
Read More800-page new Gaelic work to be launched at festival
The first comprehensive anthology of Gaelic literature, spanning the Middle Ages to the 21st century, has been described as filled with many masterpieces of the ancient language. Tomorrow’s (5 October) launch of An Ubhal as Àirde: The Highest Apple is a highlight of the Wigtown Book Festival, which runs ends on Sunday. Co-editor Wilson McLeod,…
Read MoreA celebration of Stornoway in poetry
SY Story: A Portrait of Stornoway Harbour is a stunning poetry collection which explores the history of Stornoway from the Mesolithic time to its present-day life as bustling modern habour. Donald S Murray successfully brings to life the town’s triumphs and tragedies, which includes the sinking of the Iolaire and the departure of the Metagama…
Read MoreThe mystery and hunt for the fabled Blue Horse
Dark and atmospheric, this much-anticipated novel set in the art world tells the story of George Newhouse who is a newly appointed art curator at the Public Gallery in Edinburgh. His obsessive search for a missing Dutch masterpiece, the titular Blue Horse, leads him from Edinburgh to London, Venice and New York. The painting’s provenance…
Read MoreBake Off’s Sandi is heading to Scotland
Organisers of the Edinburgh International Book Festival announced an event with national treasure Sandi Toksvig. Sandi will launch her new memoir Between the Stops in conversation with Scottish journalist Ruth Wishart at the Assembly Rooms on George Street on Sunday 3 November. Much like its beloved author, Toksvig’s Between the Stops wittily defies convention. A…
Read MoreThe ideal guide to the Fair City of Perth
Perth: A Comprehensive Guide is a full and complete historical guide to the Fair City. There is arguably nobody more qualified to write about its development through history than Hulbert, having successfully campaigned for and won city status for Perth in 2011. Each area of the city is closely examined and his deep passion for…
Read MoreThe Scottish history of Game of Thrones
Setting out to show that Game of Thrones is rooted in Scottish history, David C Weinczok draws parallels between the history of this country and that of Westeros. This book helps a fantastical world become even more of a reality. It shows how Moat Cailin is inspired by Stirling Castle, and The Wall by Hadrian’s…
Read MoreNovel focuses on issues affecting our former soldiers
R L McKinney’s debut novel follows Sean, a British soldier who has returned from Afghanistan after his best friend, Mitch, in an act of heroism saved his life but lost his own. With Mitch talking to Sean from beyond the grave, Sean begins to question his own sanity and finds the only place he fits…
Read MoreA history of warships built on the River Clyde in photos
Following on from his book on Clydebank Battlecruisers, Ian Johnston has written another using archive photographs showing the ships built by John Brown, a name that is synonymous with shipbuilding on the Clyde. The storied shipyard built some of the finest and most famous ships of the 20th century. Johnston has laid the book out…
Read MoreThe man who saved the army – without holding rank
Sir John Pringle saved the lives of countless soldiers without ever commanding a battalion. This well researched book by a fellow physician tells the story of how his changes to hospital management, discipline and hygiene successfully reduced the numbers of deaths from diseases such as typhus and dysentry amongst the troops. Saving The Army: The…
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