REVIEW: Regatta Men’s Birchdale Waterproof Jacket

What is it? Regatta Men’s Birchdale Waterproof Jacket (RRP £100) I want it because: With its waterproof and breathable Isotex 10000 100% polyester stretch fabric this shell jacket is light and breathable yet completely waterproof so it’s perfect for summer showers. Useful for: It’s a good summer all-rounder so I keep this jacket in my…

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Remembering the lost regiments of Britain

From the very beginning, regiments formed the backbone of the British Army. It is a single institution that reflects the way the people of Britain view themselves and their past. Here, Trevor Royle explores the histories of the many regiments that have disappeared; to celebrate their existence, as well as the men and officers who…

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Short stories and varied lives in The Way Out

The Way Out is a compilation of short stories depicting the dilemmas, desires and disappointments of men and women, young and old. Vicki Jarrett explores these people’s lives and their trials and tribulations in relationships, the economy and society. The Way Out is an impressive assemblage of heart-warming yet chilling cases, brimming with stark truths…

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A handy guide to Scotland’s spiritual background

The Traveller’s Guide to Sacred Scotland is a user-friendly guide to early Scottish settlements: from the Neolithic Age of cupmarked stones to the tired remains of the 16th century, when religious institutions fell victim to the violent throes of the Reformation. Marianna Lines also examines Scotland’s geographical idiosyncrasies in the context of inherited folk tales…

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Evocative portrait of life in the 21st century

Johnny’s return from London to stay with best friend Stevie in rural Fife is the final admission that his dreams of being an artist are over, in Three Craws by James Yorkston. On the bus home he meets Mikey, a low-level dealer from the area. As Johnny tries to get his life on track, Mikey…

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Scots history is reimagined to celebrate women

Where are the Women? by Sara Sheridan reimagines a Scottish history as one in which men are no longer disproportionately commemorated and women’s triumphs are lauded. In Sheridan’s world, Arthur’s Seat is renamed in honour of early Christian St Triduana, while the cave at Staff a references Malvina, not Fingal. The author asks readers to imagine…

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Can they guess what their 60 Second Dram is?

Blair Bowman and James Robertson know their whisky. The pair are two of Scotland’s most in the know men when it comes to all things whisky, and they are putting their palates – and noses – to the text once again, for our fifth 60 Second Dram. Each week, we give them a dram to…

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It’s another mystery whisky in our 60 Second Dram

Our blind-tasting whisky series continues today with our third 60 Second Dram. As new expressions continue to be released by distilleries all over the world, on what seems like a daily basis, we ask two people who know a good whisky to give us their thoughts. Two of Scotland’s most in the know men in the…

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What will the experts think of our 60 Second Dram?

In Scotland, we love our whisky – and we know that our readers all over the world do too. With new expressions being released on what seems like a daily basis, we have asked two of Scotland’s most in-the-know men when it comes to whisky, Blair Bowman and James Robertson, to give us their thoughts…

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Tragedy of the Iolaire at the heart of new novel

Donald S Murray is known for breathing life into the history and culture of Scottish islands, and this book does just that. It is centered on the Iolaire tragedy in 1919 when over 200 people died after a warship sank in Stornoway harbour, with the men returning after the end of the Great War. Told…

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