Category Archives: Travel Guides
In Search of Angels: Travels to the Edge of the World
Fourteen centuries ago, Irish saints brought the Word of God to the Hebrides and Scotland`s Atlantic shore. These `white martyrs` sought solitude, remoteness, even harshness, in places apart from the world where they could fast, pray and move closer to an understanding of God: places where they could see angels. Columba, who founded the famous
The Fresh and the Salt: The Story of the Solway
Firths and estuaries are liminal places, where land meets sea and tides meet freshwater. Their unique ecosystems support a huge range of marine and other wildlife: human activity too is profoundly influenced by their waters and shores.The Solway Firth – the crooked finger of water that both unites and divides Scotland and England – is
Native: Life in a Vanishing Landscape
Shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize for UK Nature Writing 2020Desperate to connect with his native Galloway, Patrick Laurie plunges into work on his family farm in the hills of southwest Scotland. Investing in the oldest and most traditional breeds of Galloway cattle, the Riggit Galloway, he begins to discover how cows once shaped people, places
Regeneration: The Rescue of a Wild Land
In 1995 the National Trust for Scotland acquired Mar Lodge Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms. Home to over 5,000 species, this vast expanse of Caledonian woodlands, subarctic mountains, bogs, moors, roaring burns and frozen lochs could be a place where environmental conservation and Highland field sports would exist in harmony. The only problem
The Highlands
Paul Murton journeys the length and breadth of the spectacularly beautiful Scottish Highlands. In addition to bringing a fresh eye to popular destinations such as Glencoe, Ben Nevis, Loch Ness and the Cairngorms, he also visits some remote and little-known locations hidden off the beaten track.Throughout his travels, Paul meets a host of modern Highlanders,
Newcastle upon Tyne: Mapping the City
Newcastle has a long and distinguished history through two millennia: a Roman fortress at the eastern end of Hadrian`s Wall; an important centre of monasticism; a `royal` bulwark against attacks and invasion from Scotland; and the principal centre for the export of coal to London. In the 19th century it was transformed into an elegant
Exploring the Fife Coastal Path: A Companion Guide
This is the ideal guide to the whole route, so rich in history and natural beauty. Designed to be used by walkers on the Path or visitors to any point along it, it introduces a wealth of castles, churches, harbours, monuments and red-roofed housesHamish Brown gives practical advice on all aspects of walking the Path,
An Eye on the Hebrides: An Illustrated Journey
Mairi Hedderwick embarks on a six-month-long journey to 40 islands from Arran to Lewis, recounting her pilgrimage around the archipelago of the Western Isles with which she has had a lifelong love affair.Filled with wit and wisdom that is matched by her spell-binding illustrations, Mairi Hedderwick portrays the islands in all their diversity, with swift
A Taste of the Highlands
From the wild glens of the Cairngorms National Park and the bountiful fishing villages of the Moray Coast to Loch Ness, Fort William, Ullapool, the rugged bays and barren moors of Caithness and Sutherland and the rich sea lochs and glens of Argyll, Ghillie travels many mountain roads and windswept landscapes. The result of her
French Lessons
The only thing that lasts is love, even when it`s gone. Three French tutors meet at a small cafe that spills out onto the sunny Parisian backstreet of Rue du Paradis. Nico, Philippe and Chantal meet here every Wednesday morning, before leading their students along the grand boulevards, winding alleyways and sweetly perfumed jardins of
100 Journeys for the Spirit
From the prehistoric megaliths of Carnac in Brittany to the Buddhist temple-complex of Borobodur in Java, 100 Journeys For The Spirit guides the reader on a journey around a hand-picked selection of 100 of the world’s most spiritually uplifting sites. It deals with the sorts of places that move us at a profound level, one
The Miracle of Olive Oil
Written by an experienced doctor who is also a trained cook, “The Miracle of Olive Oil” is packed with helpful information on everything from food preparation to health and beauty. With an A-Z section of ailments against which olive oil has proved effective, a collection of 32 delicious recipes, and tips on how to use
Celestial Geometry
This book travels the world to explore over 60 archaeological sites that enshrine the remarkable achievements of ancient astronomers. In many cultures an early understanding of the cosmos is expressed through architecture – stone circles that act as giant computers for the timing of eclipses; apertures that offer sightlines to the rising or setting sun
A Brief History of the Roman Empire
In this lively and very readable history of the Roman Empire from its establishment in 27 BC to the barbarian incursions and the fall of Rome in AD 476, Kershaw draws on a range of evidence, from Juvenal`s Satires to recent archaeological finds. He examines extraordinary personalities such as Caligula and Nero and seismic events
St Cuthbert`s Way: The Official Guide
This 100k (60 mile) walk was opened in 1996 and has rapidly increased in popularity, with thousands of walkers walking all or parts of it every year. Visiting a number of places closely associated with St Cuthbert`s life, the journey is full of historical interest and natural beauty. It can be tackled in its entirety,
The Little Book of Scottish Beasties
Scotland is renowned for the huge range of its wildlife, which comes in all shapes and sizes. In this book Tim Kirby introduces 45 of them, from the iconic red deer and golden eagle to the Highland cow and ubiquitous midge. In addition, he offers his take on animals of myth and legend, such as
Scotland: Her Story: The Nation`s History by the Women Who Lived It
Scotland`s history has been told many times, but never exclusively by its women. This book takes a unique perspective on dramatic national events as well as ordinary life, as experienced by women down the centuries. From the saintly but severe medieval Queen Margaret to today`s first minister Nicola Sturgeon, it encompasses women from all stations
Scottish Traditional Tales
All over the world traditional tales used to be told at the fireseide until their place came to be taken by books, newspapers, radio and television. This is an entertaining collection from Scotland, recorded and collected by researchers from the School of Scottish Studies at Edinburgh University over the past fifty years. Taken from a
A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland, Circa 1695: A Voyage to St Kilda
One of the greatest travellers in Scotland, Martin Martin was also a native Gaelic speaker. This text offers his narrative of his journey around the Western Isles, and a mine of information on custom, tradition and life. Martin Martin`s wrote before the Jacobite rebellions changed the way of life of the Highlander irrevocably. The volume
Moscow Calling: Memoirs of a Foreign Correspondent
In the course of the past 45 years, Angus Roxburgh has translated Tolstoy, met four successive Russian presidents and been jinxed by a Siberian shaman. He has come under fire in war zones and been arrested by Chechen thugs. During the Cold War he was wooed by the KGB, who then decided he would make
