Cover to cover
A look at the latest Scottish books
The Highland Battles: Warfare on Scotland’s Northern Frontier in the Early Middle Ages
BY CHRIS PEERS PEN & SWORD £25
Peers is an expert at bringing medieval warfare to life and this novel is no exception. He delves into the rarely studied wars fought in the Highlands between the ninth and fourteenth centuries. Most notably the battles of Skitton Moor, Renfrew and Clairdon are explored. Peers breaks down each battle by date, who was involved, where it was and the eventual outcome. This allows for even Scottish history novices to grasp what is happening.
The author even goes as far as to include descriptions of what is left of these battlefields and how to get there – ideal for the summer of ‘staycations’ we have ahead. Peers has produced a well researched, well structured and very readable book. This is a must-read for those with a thirst for information on the history and military conflict of our country.
Mary Queen of Scots’ Secretary: William Maitland - Politician, Reformer and Conspirator
BY ROBERT STEDALL PEN & SWORD £25
This is a long overdue account of a man left out of the history books. William Maitland was a politician who played a crucial role in defending Mary, Queen of Scots’ throne and was behind the Scottish Reformation, altering the future of the country drastically and permanently.
Stedall explores Maitland’s life and legacy with reference to Mary, Queen of Scots throughout making it the perfect read for royal history enthusiasts. For those hoping for a light read, this is not for you. It is a hefty academic book and covers the politics and religion of the time in great depth.
Corrour Bothy: A refuge in the wilderness
BY RALPH STORER LUATH PRESS £10.99
As most Scots will know, Corrour Bothy is a staple in the Cairngorms landscape. Known as the oldest and most famous bothy in Scotland, Storer explores the history of this mountain refuge. This is a surprisingly fascinating and humorous book considering it is centered around such a small bolthole. This is mainly due to the inclusion of excerpts from visitor books dating back to 1928. If you are familiar with the area or have a passion for hillwalking and the Highlands, this book is for you.
Treasure Islands: True Tales of a Shipwreck Hunter
BY ALEC CRAWFORD BIRLINN £12.99
This is a thrilling memoir. Crawford recalls some of his most memorable dives from his time as a deep-water salvager, exploring shipwrecks off the coast. One particularly interesting exploration is that of the White Star liner Oceanic, which was the largest ship in the world at the time of its launch. The good humour throughout makes it entertaining and light, and Crawford’s exceptional modesty is admirable.
Forage: Wild Plants to Gather, Cook and Eat
BY LIZ KNIGHT LAURENCE KING £19.99
Liz Knight, a leading wild food expert, has created a beautifully illustrated book filled with foraging tips and recipes. From more traditional plants like blackberries and elder, to lesser used foliage such as Japanese knotweed and mallow, this book delves into all things wild and edible. If anyone can inspire you to make the most of the treasure trove of wild plants in your garden, it’s Knight. Personally, I can’t wait to try her recipe for honeysuckle cordial...
Lairds in Waiting
BY ANNE-MARY PATERSON THE HIGHLAND RAILWAY SOCIETY £9.90
When compared to other books of its kind, this one stands out. It focuses on the private railway stations and waiting rooms situated along the Highland route and the families and lairds who used them. (Think VIP lounges at the airport, reserved for high-flying A-listers). Paterson highlights the history of villages such as Fochabers and Alness, making it a compelling read for locals. That said, without a pre-existing interest in railways, best give this one a miss.
Your Inner Hedgehog
BY ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH LITTLE BROWN £14.99
Despite what you might think, this is not a story about hedgehogs. Instead, it follows the story of the hilarious German professor Dr Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld as he navigates life at his workplace, the University of Regensburg. Written by the best-selling author of The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, Alexander McCall Smith, this is yet another crowd-pleaser. I particularly enjoyed reading the inner dialogue of the characters. You will not be able to put this book down until the final page has turned.
Restoring The Wild: Sixty Years of Rewilding Our Skies
BY ROY DENNIS WILLIAM COLLINS £18.99
In the current climate, this book is more important than ever. Dennis has spent his entire career working in Scotland on the conservation of rare birds and the reintroduction of lost species. With chapters titled ‘Endurance’, ‘Optimism’, ‘Global Vision’ and ‘Legacy’, Roy’s passion and love of wildlife is visible in every crevice of this book. You will struggle to not share his enthusiasm for conservation when you pick this book up. A tantalising and inspiring read.
Fortune’s Many Houses: A Victorian Visionary, a Noble Scottish Family, and a Lost Inheritance
BY SIMON WELFARE ATRIA BOOKS £25
The debut novel by television producer Simon Welfare depicts the fascinating lives of John and Ishbel Gordon, the Marquess and Marchioness of Aberdeen.
The couple aimed to change the world with their passion for philanthropic endeavours and social reform. However, they ended up losing their fortune after years of generosity. As the couple were the great-grandparents of his wife, Welfare was able to draw inspiration from private letters, diaries, financial ledgers and memoirs resulting in a well researched piece of work. The inclusion of footnotes expanded on terms that may be unfamiliar to most and helps to add context.
This vibrant book gives the reader insight into society in the 1800s in an informative and engaging way. Ishbel Gordon summarised her life by saying she had made many mistakes but hopes she had done more good than harm – a sentiment that surely resonates with us all.
Speyside Memories: Boyhood and Beyond on River and Hill
BY NORMAN MATHESON TROUBADOR £14.99
Set in beautiful Speyside, this book contains a collection of short stories based on the author’s experiences of living in the area. The eleven stories begin with Matheson reminiscing over his childhood living on a small farm during wartime. The retired surgeon, who worked as a consultative surgeon in Aberdeen, then delves into his love for fishing along the River Spey with plenty of anecdotes to make you laugh.
The colourful locals mentioned throughout will ring true for anyone who grew up in the countryside – particularly the gamekeeper Eck Elder and Willie McGillivray, a water bailiff. Featuring stunning watercolour illustrations which accompany the stories, this book is an easy and charming read for all. The sense of nostalgia mixed with humour results in a veritable love letter to Speyside.