Reviews
Thrills in a 1970s-set piece of tartan noir
Follow detective Harry McCoy as his hunches lead him across a Glasgow landscape rife with drugs and violence, in search of answers. As any good piece of tartan noir should, it introduces you to a slew of questionable characters who definitely muddy the waters between good and evil, although in 1970s Glasgow maybe this was…
Read MoreThe fascinating story of a woman taken to St Kilda
Based on a true story, The Unreliable Death of Lady Grange is a rollickingly good piece of historical fiction. Lady Grange is presumed dead, but in reality is whisked away from her family by the man she loves to live out her life in seclusion. The story of a stormy relationship ending in the worst…
Read MoreA look around some of the most stunning gardens
Aspiring to promote interaction with the natural world, photos are divided into categories that encourage the appreciation of the planet’s diversity. Particularly for nature enthusiasts, the staggering range of nature’s beauty is astonishingly captured from a multitude of perspectives and locations. It could benefit from more narrative, but definitely one for the coffee table. International…
Read MoreThe Solway and its fascinating history
Ann Lingard takes the opportunity to offer an in-depth examination of the Solway Firth’s history, geology and the huge range of life that exists within and alongside its ever-changing margins. From mudshrimps, basking sharks and pinkfooted geese to quarriers, trawlermen, peat-cutters and haaf netters, there are many stories to tell. Lingard writes vividly about this…
Read MoreA pocket guide to the Declaration of Arbroath
This book does exactly what it says on the tin. It details the hugely significant piece of history that is the Declaration of Arbroath – a plea to the Pope to recognise Scotland’s independence in 1320. For those without a vested interest in the topic, this will be heavy going. It is pocket book-sized, but…
Read MoreExtensive look at the history of Scots clans
The Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia is an expansive and detailed look at the history of Scottish clanship. This is a hefty hardback reference book which features an impressive selection of respected contributors. For those interested in Scottish history this tome is an excellent chronicle of one of its most important facets, the clans. However,…
Read MoreAnother warm, funny read from Alexander McCall Smith
Food writer Paul Stuart is struggling to write his latest book, so his cousin Chloe suggests he should spend the summer in France with her. A simple set up and a no-fuss plot allows McCall Smith to focus on his characters – all of whom are used as vehicles for the author’s sharp wit. This…
Read MoreA celebration of 1000 Scots words and phrases
Cauld Blasts and Clishmaclavers: A Treasury of 1,000 Scottish Words details a huge array of Scottish words and phrases, in what is a joyously eclectic mix. From the ‘airt o’ the clicky’ to ‘yowe trummle’, it is by no means an exhaustive collection of tropes – rather the author has handpicked some of his favourites.…
Read MoreTaking the plunge to enjoy the power of wild swimming
Heart-warming and fascinating, Taking the Plunge: The Healing Power of Wild Swimming for Mind, Body & Soul is fantastic. Written by two women who formed a bond through their love of wild swimming, reading this book feels like having a conversation with old friends. Deacon and Allan detail the lives of wild swimmers, showing how…
Read MoreHave fun with a more wholesome Trainspotting
This novel reads like a slightly more wholesome version of ‘Trainspotting’. Set around the Spey Bay Viaduct in Moray, Bennett charts the adventures of ‘The Summer Crew’, a fictional 1980s crew – led by skipper Sandy Geddes – who start fishing on the River Spey. The book oozes personality, thanks mainly to the fact it’s…
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