Posts Tagged ‘review’
How the BBC continues to bring us the news
Reporting on a pandemic while trying to keep staff safe is a huge challenge. With Scotland in lockdown with the coronavirus, we all want to know the facts about what is happening, not just here, but across the UK and indeed the world. That is proving to be a challenge to BBC Scotland, who are…
Read MoreThe story of Scotland’s sea eagle population
Sea eagles divide opinion; they’re a treat for birdwatchers but are despised by some crofters. John A Love was part of the team that brought the birds back to Scotland in the 1970s and chronicled their reintroduction in his 1993 book, The Return Of The Sea Eagle. Twenty years later, he brings the story up…
Read MoreThe fascinating story of historic Dumfries House
Dumfries House holds a very special place in Scottish history. When the foundation stone was laid in 1754, it became the first home to be designed by John, Robert and James Adams, the architects whose practice became arguably the most famous in the UK. The house hit the headlines in 2007 when Prince Charles, the…
Read MoreAdvice on caring for animals during outbreak
Guidance for animal owners related to the coronavirus outbreak has been published by the Scottish Government. All animals owners are advised to: • consider how they would continue to care for their animals if self-isolating • keep dogs from self-isolating households on a lead when in public • follow general hygiene measures Rural Affairs minister…
Read MoreThe secret gardening life of Beatrix Potter
This delightfully illustrated book reveals a little known aspect of Beatrix Potter’s life. She was a gardening enthusiast and how her evident appreciation and knowledge of gardening informed her work. McDowell writes beautifully, painting a charming portrait of Beatrix Potter and her garden at Hill Top Farm through the seasons. Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life, by…
Read MoreA stunning look at the beautiful Hebrides
Hebrides is a beautiful book of narrative extracts from Peter May’s bestselling trilogy. The text features alongside specially commissioned photographs by David Wilson depicting the eerie mists, abandoned buildings and dramatic lighting of the Outer Hebrides. This book allows fans of May’s Lewis trilogy to experience the land that gave the writing and his characters…
Read MoreFascinating look at the 14th Duke of Hamilton
Scottish amateur boxing champion, Unionist MP, participant in the first flight over Mount Everest, the 14th Duke of Hamilton was an adventurous and popular man. But when World War II loomed, Hamilton was embroiled in an escalating rumour that he was a crypto-Facist. Mark Peel rectifies these slanders in this fascinating and detailed biography. The…
Read MorePolitics, myths and Scottish independence
Bannockburns is an intelligently written and rigorously researched book revealing how much the political is entwined with the literary imagination. Crawford uses Scotland’s myths and stories to shed light upon the romance behind the nation’s bid for independence. The 2014 Referendum, Crawford points out, coincided ‘mischievously’ with the 700th anniversary of the Scots victory at…
Read MoreA novel take on the five sisters of Robert the Bruce
Sisters of Bruce is a hefty novel, giving novel gives voice to the five sisters of Robert the Bruce, highlighting the challenges they faced as sisters of Scotland’s great hero. It is certainly refreshing to hear the female voice within history’s discourse of wars and battles that is so often dominated by men. The story…
Read MoreFantastic fourth in Edinburgh crime series
Nor Will He Sleep is the fourth instalment of the Inspector McLevy series, adapted from the BBC Radio 4 series. This is an accomplished murder mystery which effortlessly paints a vivid picture of the dark and often savage streets of Edinburgh in 1887. This story buzzes with a fascinating array of dastardly and heroic characters.…
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