Book review: As the Women Lay Dreaming 

Sammi Minion reviews As the Women Lay Dreaming by Donald Murray.  Donald S. Murray’s 2020 novel, ‘As the Women Lay Dreaming,’ is now available in paperback for those unfortunate enough to have not yet had the chance to pick up a copy. Set predominantly on the Isle of Lewis, Murray’s beautiful prose invites a new generation to ponder…

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Book review: The Many Days

Sammi Minion reviews The Many Days by Scottish poet Norman MacCaig First released in 2010, the collection that celebrated the centenary of the birth of Edinburgh’s Norman MacCaig is now available in paperback, and is the best place to experience MacCaig, the writer who Seamus Heaney lauded as ‘He means poetry to me’. This collection also…

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When friends and food collide…

Richard Bath went to review the new summer Market Menu at the Sheraton Grand’s One Square brasserie in Edinburgh. It’s the Holy Trinity, right: good friends, lashings of booze, and properly decent food. Throw in a swanky city centre location, a new and weather-suitable light Market Menu, and you’ve got the perfect way to start…

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Book review: 101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die

Sammi Minion reviews 101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die by Ian Buxton who began working in the Scotch whisky industry in 1987. This compact guide is ideal for both seasoned whisky connoisseurs and those new to the world of whisky. Buxton recommends a perfect balance of classic brands alongside exciting new drams, ensuring accessibility for…

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Book review: The Tongue She Speaks

Sammi Minion reviews The Tongue She Speaks, a new novel by Scottish author and journalist Emma Grae, from Glasgow. Emma Grae’s new novel The Tongue She Speaks makes for a captivating read. From the frame of a seemingly typical teenage thriller lies a far more complex and compelling story, brought to life by an engrossing plot…

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A southern sojourn

On a rare excursion south of the border, Richard Bath tried out a waterside Beech Hill hotel in the Lake District. In late spring, Lake Windermere – and, more specifically, the small town of Bowness – was already hoaching. Although we at Scottish Field rarely review south of the border, my daughter Ailsa and I…

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Review: Scotland’s Inaugural Romance Festival

Megan Amato reviews First Date: Scotland’s Inaugural Romance Festival. Romance, as a genre across all forms of media, is often dismissed for having predictable (see: happy) endings and a formulaic plot.  But every genre has its tropes and beats, and despite how ‘easy’ it may seem, it takes a lot of skill to keep your readers…

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Review: Karma Lake of Menteith

Megan Amato enjoys a stay at Karma Lake of Menteith. As the sun begins to shine in Scotland, those of use keen to escape from dreich weather may start looking for breaks a little closer to home.  Located in Stirlingshire on Scotland’s only lake – and from what I’ve been told, great for fishing –…

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Review: Chaakoo Edinburgh

Megan Amato reviews Edinburgh’s new eatery Chaakoo. During the ten years or so I’ve been visiting and living in Edinburgh, I have witnessed the local cuisine blossom from its rather traditionally Scottish fare and very anglicised takeaways and bloom into a city with a rich and diverse food scene. No longer do you need to…

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Review: Cinema premier of Stella

Jeremy Welch reviews Stella, the new award-winning film which is set in Galloway. It’s 1937 and the storm clouds are darkening over Europe as war seems imminent.  Stella, played by Oli Fyne, tells the story of her plight as a penniless Oxford graduate of Jewish descent accepting a job to tutor the children of Lord…

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