Reviews
The history of the Scottish National War Memorial
This poignant account of the building of the Scottish National War Memorial is a must-read. Author Duncan Macmillan recounts the history of one of the most ambitious and successful public works of its time. First mooted in 1917, The Scottish National War Memorial was opened by Edward, Prince of Wales, on 14th July 1927. Paid…
Read MoreKeeping Scots fairytales alive for children
The Dragon Stoorworm is a traditional Scottish tale beautifully retold for younger readers. We learn that the Dragon Stoorworm was the very first, very worst dragon that ever lived. It was ginormous: almost as big as the whole of Scotland! The King of Scotland called for warriors to defeat the terrible dragon and save his…
Read MoreAn exciting novel set in the 14th century
Based on events in fourteenth century Scotland, The Raid Into Angus is a novel about Robert de Atholia and Duncan Stewart. Both were both Gaelic warriors whose clans have a grudge against Sir Drugo Lindsay, a Norman knight with extensive lands in Angus Province. But, Stewart also carries with him extra baggage as he is…
Read MoreThe most ship-shape cookbook of all time
I always pictured food served aboard our mariners and matelots to be a school canteen situation with wrinkled sausages and dry mash. I’m thankful to be proven wrong by this toothsome cookbook. Chefs at sea may not have access to all the ingredients, but those at home can support a good cause, benefit from the…
Read MoreThe real-life adventures of presenter Simon Reeve
In Journeys to Impossible Places, best-selling author and presenter Simon Reeve reveals the inside story of his most astonishing adventures and experiences, around the planet and close to home. It continues the story Simon started in his bestseller Step by Step, which traced the first decades of his life from depressed and unemployed teenager through to…
Read MoreFrom Sheffield with love to Scotland’s islands
Despite living in Sheffield, author Richard Clubley’s love for the Scottish islands brings him north several times a year. And in this book, he gives a passionate account of what makes these places so special and worth visiting. He meets locals and learns a few realities of island life. He almost perished on Ailsa Craig,…
Read MoreAddressing the impact of personality disorders
This is a fascinating story spanning five centuries of history seen through the eyes of schizophrenic John McPake. Helped by the voices inside his head, McPake goes in a search of his brother in Edinburgh. In another thread of the plot, three 16th century weavers from Bruegel’s painting, Three Hunters in the Snow, search for…
Read MoreThe consequences of a lost engagement ring
An inebriated woman’s generosity on her hen do changes the trajectory of a rough sleeper’s life when she inadvertently leaves behind her engagement ring. Campbell does what many fail to do when writing homeless protagonists by giving agency to a flawed individual dealing with trauma and alcoholism and humanises even the so-called antagonists. Both a…
Read MoreCelebrating the best spots for wild swimming
Swimmers of all backgrounds share their experiences and recommendations amongst the seas, burns, rivers and over 30,000 lochs in Scotland. A guide that not only shows you the best spots to sink into but also the tips, safety, etiquette and responsibility that should come hand-in-hand with wild swimming. A great gift for those bobble-hat-wearing swimmers…
Read MoreA modern gothic thriller set in Glasgow
A novel that manages to be colourful, gritty, modern, and gothic all within its 368 pages. Twenty years after the events of Welsh’s The Cutting Room, Glasgow is a vastly different scene for the LGBTQ+ community as improvements in human rights, technology, dating (see: hook-up) apps, and even Covid regulations have changed the landscape. When…
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