More than Chariots of Fire to Eric Liddell

Running The Race is a wonderful ode to an athlete whose steadfast dedication to both sport and faith inspired a nation. While most have seen Eric Liddell’s life played out on the silver screen in Chariots of Fire, Keddie delves deep into the history books, further unravelling the Scot’s progression from young Christian to sporting…

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Scotland’s lost railway to the north-west

Academic books needn’t be reserved for PhD students with a knack for deciphering dense text. Drummond’s style is highly accessible, yet informative. Delving into archives, he unveils the story of north west Scotland in the 1890s, explaining why a railway to Ullapool never came to fruition. It is a niche topic, but even a transport…

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Scandis and Americans join Scots for Granite Noir

AUTHORS from Scotland, Scandinavia and the United States will star in next month’s online Granite Noir book festival. Aberdeen’s international crime writing extravaganza will include appearances by Camilla Läckberg and Attica Locke. Well-kent faces popping up on screen include David Baldacci, Stuart MacBride, Peter May, Val McDermid, Jo Nesbo, and Ian Rankin. The festival will…

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Edinburgh’s book festival flits to new home

THE Edinburgh International Book Festival is moving from its traditional home in Charlotte Square Gardens to the University of Edinburgh’s College of Art. This year’s festival will take place from Saturday 14 August to Monday 30 August at the college. The festival plans to use both indoor and outdoor spaces at the Lauriston Place site.…

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Alexander McCall Smith wins Edinburgh Award

THIS year’s Edinburgh Award will be presented to author and academic Alexander McCall Smith. The emeritus professor of medical law at the University of Edinburgh will receive the honour in recognition of legal career and writing success. McCall Smith has become a hugely successful novelist through his The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, The Sunday…

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Ian Rankin delves into his archive for online event

THE UK’s best-selling crime novellist, Ian Rankin, will lift the lid tomorrow on his literary archive. Rankin donated his archive to the National Library of Scotland last year. He also donated money towards creating a post to catalogue each item for the library, which was carried out by curator Rosemary Hall. Rankin and Hall will…

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Highlands and islands gift boxes launch

A GIFT box service dedicated to showcasing products from the Highlands and islands has been launched. A Whale of a Time brings together products from independent businesses spread across Inverness, Lochaber, Moray, Wester Ross, and Wick, as well as islands including Harris, Islay, Lewis, Orkney, and Skye. Its range of eight gift boxes stretches from…

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Online bookshop helps local stores

AN ONLINE bookshop has raised more than ÂŁ122,000 for local bookshops. Bookshop.org donates most of its profits to bookshops, authors, and other groups involved in literature. “By design, we give away over 75% of our profit margin to stores, publications, authors and others who make up the thriving, inspirational culture around books,” it said. The…

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‘Frank – get the book!’

COMEDIAN Janey Godley is among presenter Damian Barr’s guests in the first episode of The Big Scottish Book Club, which returns to the BBC Scotland channel on Sunday. Godley, who has become an internet sensation during the pandemic thanks to her satirical voiceovers of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s daily briefings, will discuss her memoir, Handstands in…

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Wider audience for Wigtown young adult books

WIGTOWN YA, the UK’s largest young adult literature festival, continues this week as part of the wider online Wigtown Book Festival. This week’s virtual speakers include Dean Atta talking about The Black Flamingo, Catherine Bruton presenting No Ballet Shoes in Syria and Michelle Thomas explaining My Sh*t Therapist. Previous online events can also be watched…

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