Writing TV drama was a Guilt-free pleasure for Neil

New Scottish TV thriller Guilt continues on BBC Scotland. The four part series, with a black humour, tells the story of Jake (Jamie Sives) and Max (Mark Bonnar), who two brothers who accidentally kill a man. They try to hide their mistake by placing the dead man in his home – but after Jake left…

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Scotland’s chocolate features in new guidebook

When asked about Britain’s chocolate output, you would be forgiven if you immediately thought of chocolate bars wrapped in iconic purple packaging, the compulsory Christmas selection boxes, or the legendary chocolate orange. However, Andrew Baker’s ‘A Chocolate Lover’s Guide to Britain’ reveals that the British chocolate industry is so much more than these much-loved, mass…

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A train of thought in turning back the clock

Industrial Locomotives & Railways of Scotland is the ninth volume of the ten-part series of regional books examining the industrial railways of England, Scotland and Wales. Gordon Edgar uses previously unpublished photographs accompanied by detailed captions to reflect on the changing face of the Scottish railway industry over the last six decades. The diversity of…

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A fascinating look at Edinburgh’s proud military past

Today, Edinburgh Castle is primarily admired by tourists and locals for the drama it adds to the landscape of our capital. Although a stroll down Princes Street on a (rare) sunny day might give the wanderer an appreciation of the castle’s aesthetic beauty, its historical importance to the defence of the city through the centuries…

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You can’t go wrong with the definitive guide to Elgin

Jenny Main has written the definitive, fully-illustrated A-Z guide of Elgin’s history, people and places. Elgin has a wealth of history which is explored in Jenny Main’s A-Z Guide of the town. The last of the Pictish kings – Macbeth – ruled this area, with his rival, Duncan, dying of his battle wounds in the…

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Celebrating the most unique lighthouse in Scotland

On the extreme north-east point of the Scottish mainland lies the promontory of Kinnaird Head, home to the only lighthouse in the world to be built into a castle. The Kinnaird Lighthouse, originally constructed in 1571, has played host to lairds, lords and Jacobites over its five hundred year history. After being saved from various…

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A look at Stirling through its beautiful buildings

Stirling may be Scotland’s smallest city, but after being granted city status during the Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2002, its history and heritage have begun to be fully appreciated. Jack Gillon takes the reader on a tour of 50 of Stirling’s finest buildings and structures, celebrating the city’s immense architectural heritage and ancient character. With…

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Take a trip through the streets of Lost Edinburgh

Lost Edinburgh by Liz Hanson is a beautifully illustrated and informative exploration of our capital’s lost landscape. Like many British cities, the metropolis of Edinburgh has experienced multiple metamorphoses over the years. Although a walk down today’s Royal Mile may give the wanderer a tantalising taste of what existed before, in reality, many historic buildings…

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A gardener’s guide to growing in Scotland

With its maritime climate, ample rainfall and rarity of really hot weather, Scotland is one of the best places in the world to garden. But choosing plants suited to the local conditions is critical. Kenneth Cox and Raoul Curtis-Machin evaluated the performance of thousands of plants in gardens all over Scotland, drawing on the knowledge…

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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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