Category Archives: Travel Guides
The Finest Road in the World: The Story of Travel and Transport in the Scottish Highlands
Trains and stagecoaches stuck in the snow, wild storms driving sailing ships off course, traffic pile-ups on so-called `killer` highways – stories abound about the horrors of travel in the Highlands and Islands, and have done for as far as the records go back.James Miller tells the dramatic and sometimes surprisingly humorous story of travel
The Viking Isles: Travels in Orkney and Shetland
Paul Murton has long had a love of the Viking north – the island groups of Orkney and Shetland and the old counties of Caithness and Sutherland – which, for centuries, were part of the Nordic world as depicted in the great classic the Orkneyinga Saga. Today this fascinating Scandanavian legacy can be found everywhere
The Deeside Way: Long Distance Guide
The Deeside Way is a long-distance path running for 66km (41 miles) from Aberdeen, the oil capital of Europe, to Ballater in Royal Deeside in the Cairngorms National Park. Mainly following the course of old Royal Deeside Railway line, it is suitable for cyclists as well as walkers. There is much to be seen along
The Fife Pilgrim Way: In the Footsteps of Monks, Miners and Martyrs
Packed with over almost 100 images and countless stories, it brings to life the fascinating communities and the characters along the route in whose footsteps modern pilgrims are treading. Setting off with Celtic saints from Culross and North Queensferry, marching with miners through the West Fife coalfields, continuing on with Covenanters and Communists and ending
A Taste of Scotland`s Islands
Sue Lawrence has been on a personal odyssey – a trip round some of Scotland`s many islands speaking to producers and cooks, gleaning recipes along the way. From islands such as Mull, Raasay, Out Skerries and Luing she has amassed over 100 recipes, mainly created from ingredients and produce she came across in her travels.
Lochaber and Glencoe: Landscapes in Stone
The Lochaber and Glencoe area is rich in historical associations. It was at Glenfinnan that Bonnie Prince Charlie started his long marchsouthwards to lay claim to the British throne, and Glencoe was the scene of one of the most vicious massacres in Scottish history.But a longer and even more turbulent history is played out geologically.
Walking Through Shadows: A Journey of Loss and Renewal
`Walking Through Shadows` describes a winter walk in memory of the author`s friend, Clive Dennier, a popular Inverness journalist, who died in Knoydart in March 2013 but whose body was found only some weeks later. The journey begins at Whiten Head on the north Sutherland coast and ends at Kinloch Hourn in Knoydart, the place
The Outer Hebrides: Landscapes in Stone
The remote archipelago which lies off the north-west coast of Scotland boasts a huge range of contrasting and spectacular land- andseascapes. Lewis is austere, with a featureless peatland core, bounded by dramatic sea cliffs, whilst neighbouring Harris is extraordinarilyrugged but fringed with stunning unspoilt beaches. The Uists are characterised by gentle fertile machair lands, and
Orkney & Shetland: Landscapes in Stone
The archipelagos of Orkney and Shetland are the products of some of the most dramatic events which have occurred in the Earth`s history.The Shetlands are the eroded roots of a vast mountain range that once soared to Himalayan heights and extended from Scandinavia to the Appalachians. Around 65 million years ago, this mighty chain was
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
Argyll & the Islands
Argyll and the islands that lie off from the west coast of the Kintyre are some of the most historically resonant places in Scotland. But the rocks beneath tell a story of an even more ancient world that stretches back billions of years. In this book Alan McKirdy explains how much of the ancient bedrock
The Hebrides: By the presenter of BBC TV`s Grand Tours of the Scottish Islands
Paul Murton has spent half-a lifetime exploring some of the most beautiful islands in the world – the Hebrides. He has travelled the length and breadth of the Scotland`s rugged, six-thousand-mile coast line, and sailed to over eighty islands. In this book Paul visits each of the Hebridean islands in turn, introducing their myths anc
Poacher`s Pilgrimage: An Island Journey
The islands of the Outer Hebrides are home to some of the most remote and spectacular scenery in the world. They host an astonishing range of mysterious structures – stone circles, beehive dwellings, holy wells and `temples` from the Celtic era. Over a twelve-day pilgrimage, often in appalling conditions, Alastair McIntosh returns to the islands
Island on the Edge: A Life on Soay
Anne Cholawo was a typical 80s career girl working in a busy London advertising agency, when in 1989, holidaying in Skye, she noticed an advert for a property on the Isle of Soay – `Access by courtesy of fishing boat`. She had never heard of Soay before, let alone visited it, but something inexplicable drew
The Russian Civil War
The Russian Civil War of 1917-1920, out of which the Soviet Union was born, was one of the most significant events of the twentieth century. The collapse of the Tsarist regime and the failure of the Kerensky Provisional Government nearly led to the complete disintegration of the Russian state. This book, however, is not simply
The Clyde: Mapping the River
The Clyde is arguably the most evocative of Scottish rivers. Its mention conjures up a variety of images of power, productivity and pleasure from its `bonnie banks` through the orchards of south Lanarkshire to its association with shipbuilding and trade and the holiday memories of thousands who fondly remember going `doon the watter`. Its story
The Book of Bere: Orkney`s Ancient Grain
Bere is the native barley of Orkney. In the past it was an important multi-use crop and a staple of the Scottish diet, though its use declined as more easily-processed crops were introduced. Bere is still grown on Orkney farms by an agricultural contractor employed by the Birsay Heritage Trust who run the Barony Mill,
The Course of History: Ten Meals That Changed the World
Many decisions which have had enormous historical consequences have been made over the dinner table, and have been accompanied (and perhaps in influenced) by copious amounts of food and wine. In this book Struan Stevenson brings to life ten such moments, exploring the personalities, the issues and of course the food which helped shape the
