Reviews
A wonderful look at teaching on a Scottish island
Life as a teacher is trying enough without having to contend with scare resources, limited electricity, and the worry of pupils walking a dangerous path to reach their classes each day. Kate Riley, a former headteacher on Canna, delves deep into the history of the island’s 1878 schoolhouse, bringing to life those who preceded her.…
Read MoreLeaving it all behind in a bid to destress
In February 2019, award-winning writer Alex Roddie left his online life behind and headed for the highlands. The constant bleeping of blue screens vying for his attention Alex Roddie – an outdoor writer, photographer and editor who lives in Lincolnshire – at breaking point. Seeking headspace from his rising anxiety levels, he took on a…
Read MoreThe Heretic is a gripping read from start to end
The prequel to The Heretic, Liam McIlvanney’s The Quaker, earned him ‘The Scottish Crime Book of the Year’ prize. I’ve little doubt this will do just as well. It has all the ingredients for a classic piece of crime fiction: a dark, gritty plot, authentic characters and an unpredictable ending. Set in Scotland’s Dear Green…
Read MoreThe Clanlands Almanac is a celebration of Scotland
Outlander fans can breathe a sigh of relief. That’s right, actors Heughan and McTavish have gifted their devoted fan base another cornucopia of all things Alba, including a compendium of historical trivia and a cask full of whisky-soaked japes. An ode to their homeland, her history and her people, Heughan dubbed this ‘an odyssey through…
Read MoreA novel with a difference from Denzil Meyrick
If you’ve previously enjoyed Denzil Meyrick’s trademark Tartan Noir, expect a rather gentler read here. Following on from A Large Measure of Snow, we return to the fictional fishing town of Kinloch on Kintyre. As a former distillery manager, Meyrick is well acquainted with the water of life, and so it is that two of…
Read MoreThe life story of the Big Yin – in his own words
I didn’t think it possible to love this comedy stalwart any more than I already did, but then this book landed on my desk. Told through a dictaphone and transcribed by his family, this is the first time Sir Billy Connolly has shared his life story in his own words. He of course treats us…
Read MoreFind a better you with Scotland as inspiration
Who needs a gym when you have Scotland? That’s the message the back page of The Kilted Coaches: How to Stick to the Damn Plan, as it encourages people to get fit using the country’s natural resources. The pair behind this book know what they’re talking about, having created hundreds of videos, garnered thousands of…
Read MoreThe importance of faith in wartime Clydebank
The incredible use of descriptive language in Michael Cannon’s fifth novel paints an outstanding picture of community life at Glasgow’s docklands during the early part of the Second World War. This novel examines the impact of faith and fanaticism on a community beleaguered by war. Articles of Faith follows the fortunes of Campbell and Gig,…
Read MoreA novel reflecting the troubles of a small town life
Out of university and out of luck, Ben Hamilton moves back in with his parents to stack shelves at the local supermarket. There he meets a group of friends and quickly finds himself dragged into secrecy, heavy drinking, and a violent feud. Trouble flares as the boys test the limits of their own behaviour, small-town…
Read MoreThe last man to die for the Jacobite cause
Had Doctor Archibald Cameron had his way, there would probably have been no last Jacobite Rising in 1745. His life is one of nobility and high adventure featuring buried treasure, treachery and clan feuds. It is thrilling and tragic. This is wonderfully detailed social history of Dr Cameron, the last man to die for the…
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