Posts Tagged ‘books’
John Hunter left a body of work behind him
Self-taught John Hunter was the most famous surgeon of his age – but the man who was the inspiration for Jekyll and Hyde had no qualms about acquiring stolen corpses on which to perfect his skills. Everyone knows the story of Jekyll and Hyde. But few realise that the setting for the gothic tale of…
Read MoreA Scottish top ten of world records
When it comes to world-beating feats we Scots have consistently punched above our ‘small country’ weight . Here we look at some of the brilliant, brave and often bonkers records set and challenged by Scots over the years. 1. Winning the international toss As caber-tossing is one of the most iconic aspects of Scotland, it…
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 MoreSuccesses at inaugural Scots Language Awards
The first annual Scots Language Awards were held on Friday night. Hosted by Alistair Heather and Frieda Morrison, it saw nominees and the audience from right across Scotland head to Glasgow to celebrate the Scots Language, before enjoying live performances from MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2018 Singer of The Year Iona Fyfe, musician,…
Read MoreThe dog whisperer who saves canine lives
Abbie Withers has worked with dogs for 35 years, in film and TV, and now as a behavioural consultant, saving dogs which might otherwise be put to sleep How did you first get started working with dogs? I worked as a vet nurse in the UK and in South Africa and met another nurse who…
Read MoreStirling’s secrets are revealed in a new book
Stirling is Scotland’s smallest Royal City, and also one of its newest. But, strangely, it’s also the ancient capital and one of the most important locations in all of Scottish history. On Monday 30 September, Extremis Publishing is releasing a new book by Murray Cook. With full-colour illustrations, Digging into Stirling’s Past: Uncovering the Secrets…
Read MoreA cracking psychological thriller
In this psychological thriller, Breakers, 17-year-old Tyler is the glue that is holding his family together – just. Living in a deprived Edinburgh tower block, with drug addict mum and little sister, Tyler is coerced into a life of crime by his older half-brother, Barry. In a botched-up job, Barry stabs the wife of a…
Read MoreScots language poem wins international poetry prize
A poem in Scots has won the annual £1,500 international Wigtown Prize for poetry for the first time. Shiftin, by Mhairi Owens, was among entries from poets from as far afield as the USA, China, Canada and Ecuador, writing in English, Scots and Scottish Gaelic. This year, the Wigtown Prize was opened up to entries…
Read MoreMonsters, goblins, Nessie and more in a fun book
An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Castle Legends comes from Carnegie-award-winning children’s author Theresa Breslin and artist Kate Leiper, who was longlisted for the Kate Greenway Medal. This is a stunning book of tales centred on some of Scotland’s iconic castles. Secret passages at Edinburgh Castle, mysterious monsters at Glamis, grumpy goblins in Caerlaverock and the…
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