THE BEST OF SCOTTISH BOOKS

An updated edition of the classic, definitive guide to malt whiskies, originally written by the late Michael Jackson and fully updated by whisky experts Dominic Roskrow and Gavin D. Smith.Malt Whisky Companion will teach you everything you want to know about your favourite tipple. How is malt whisky made? Which whiskies are light and flowery, or rich and treacly? How different is a whisky from a distillery in the Highlands of Scotland to one from Taiwan or Argentina?Find whisky tasting notes on over 700 malts arranged from A-Z, including vintages and the very latest releases and featuring nearly 200 distilleries from Scotland and around the world. This comprehensive guide defines the characteristics of each whisky and gives it an overall score, making it the perfect companion for keen whisky drinkers and new converts to the wonderful world of the single malt.

Dramatic landscapes, hauntingly beautiful ruins, and stirring myths and legends: See for yourself why this evocative country has inspired art and folklore for centuries with Moon Scotland. Inside you’ll find:* Flexible itineraries including a journey through the Highlands and Islands, day-by-day itineraries in Glasgow and Edinburgh, a tour of Scotland’s six World Heritage Sites, and more* Strategic advice, whether you’re looking to castle-hop, trace your ancestry, go cliff-diving, or stroll through misty villages* Must-see highlights and unique experiences: Walk along Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, or climb the Arthur’s Seat peak. Explore Neolithic burial chambers and rugged archipelagos in the north, follow the Malt Whisky Trail in Speyside, or hop on the West Highland Railway, one of the world’s most beautiful train rides. Catch a traditional music performance in Glasgow or chat with locals at a corner pub over folk music and a pint. Hike through wild moors and pine forests to deserted villages on Skye, play one of the oldest golf courses in the world, or take a seaplane over Loch Lomond for dramatic views of the Highlands* Honest tips from Scotland expert Sally Coffey* Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout* Background information on Scotland’s landscape, history, and cultural customs* In-depth coverage of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Southern, Central, and Northeast Scotland, Loch Lomond, Inverness, Orkney & Shetland, the Central Highlands and the Isle of Skye, and the Outer Hebrides* Handy tools such as visa information, a Scottish phrasebook, and tips for LGBTQ+ travelers, families with kids, and seniorsExperience the best of Scotland with Moon’s practical tips and expert insight.Sticking to the major cities? Check out Moon Edinburgh, Glasgow & the Isle of Skye.

THE FIFTH BOOK IN CLAIRE MACLEARY’S MULTI-AWARD-LISTED HARCUS & LAIRD SERIES’Claire MacLeary has, with little fuss or fanfare, written a crime series that subverts and rejuvenates the crime genre’ Scots Whay HaeA disturbing hanging with a backstory of secrets and shaming highlights some outdated attitudes within Aberdeen’s finest.After past skirmishes with the police, local PI Maggie Laird is determined to steer clear, but her partner, Wilma Harcus, goes rogue. Not only does she have leads up her sleeve, but she has grandiose ideas to expand their PI agency into the realm of romance fraud and cybercrime. Then, troubled schoolchild Frankie Bain goes missing.As the clock runs down, the two investigations collide. Was the hanging the last, desperate act of a tortured mind or a calculated murder? And will Frankie Bain be found alive?In this fifth Harcus and Laird novel, Claire MacLeary fashions a fast-paced, fresh and topical new adventure for her inimitable PI partnership.

Industry of Magic & Light is a love letter to the counterculture of the 1960s and a requiem for its passing.The much-anticipated prequel to Keenan’s cult classic debut, This is Memorial Device, Industry of Magic & Light is set in the same mythical Airdrie in the 1960s and early 70s and centres on a group of hippies running their own psychedelic light show. Told in two halves – the first in the form of an inventory of the contents of a caravan abandoned by one of the hippies, the second in the form of a tarot card reading – it is not so much a book about the 1960s as a direct channelling of the decade’s energies, bringing to life how even the smallest and dreariest of working class towns felt so full of possibility in the wake of the psychedelic moment. Via artefacts from the time – everything from poetry chapbooks, record reviews and musical instruments through bubblegum wrappers, bicycle repair kits and mysterious cassette recordings – the book opens out into adventures along the hippy trail in Afghanistan and behind the Iron Curtain that leads a cast of new and returning characters – as well as the authorities – to believe that they are literally making magic. Simultaneously a forensics of the 1960s, a detective novel, an occult thriller, a vision quest, and the hallucinatory exposition of a moment where it felt like anything was possible, Industry of Magic & Life brings to life the streets of small working class towns as transformational sites of utopian joy.

Whatever Next? considers adult adoptive identities and how traditional narratives surrounding adoption have both dominated and damaged these communities. Brought together by the Whatever Next? team, they will explore these key tropes and how the conversation is evolving, with the goal to start new dialogues around the experience adoption more broadly, and showcase how beneficial shared discussion can be.

Brought to you by Penguin.Justice can be a blunt instrument”Men like him usually tell the story.In business.Politics.Media.But not this time: I repeat, he is not writing this story.”Ritchie Gulliver MP is dead. Castrated and left to bleed in an empty Leith warehouse.Vicious, racist and corrupt, many thought he had it coming. But nobody could have predicted this.After the life Gulliver has led, the suspects are many: corporate rivals, political opponents, the countless groups he’s offended. And the vulnerable and marginalised, who bore the brunt of his cruelty – those without a voice, without a choice, without a chance.As Detective Ray Lennox unravels the truth, and the list of brutal attacks grows, he must put his personal feelings aside. But one question refuses to go away…Who are the real victims here?(c) Irvine Welsh 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Escape to the Isle of Skye this winter with bestseller Lisa Hobman, for this brand new wonderfully romantic read. After the heartbreak of a secret unrequited love, Millie Treadaway has finally found someone to spend her life with.Harry Rose is handsome, successful and treats her like a princess. That is until Millie presents her fiance with a surprise birthday gift, and their future is suddenly doomed.Eight months later Millie returns to Glentorrin on the Isle of Skye for her best friend Jules’ Christmas wedding. Heartbroken, single and heavily pregnant.Staying in Lifeboat Cottage with Jules’ brother, kindhearted Dexter, she’s given up on love and resigned herself to be the best single Mum ever.But a shock phone call from Harry leaves her reeling and doubting herself and her decisions.Do second chances work? Or is Dexter, right? That she deserves much more?Can the festive spirit in Glentorrin, and a little stray Jack Russell terrier, heal her heart?Or is she fated to remain a member of the lonely-hearts club forever?Praise for Lisa Hobman:’I love it! – escape to the beautiful Isle of Skye with this feel-good, uplifting story of lost love and second chances…’ Holly MartinSimply gorgeous. An uplifting story of two broken individuals trying to find the courage to take a chance on love again’ Jessica Redland’A really uplifting, feel-good read about hope, love and second chances, that really did warm my heart.’ Kim Nash’A gorgeous, heart-warming romantic journey, reminds us to never give up on love…’ Lucy Coleman’You will fall in love with this story of fresh starts and mending broken hearts’ Mandy Baggot’A heart-breakingly beautiful story of love and loss set in the stunning village of Glentorrin. Be prepared to fall in love over and over again.’ Nancy Barone’What a beautiful read this was. I was rooting for Juliette from the first page. Lisa handled some tough subjects with a delicate and deft touch. I’m ready to escape to Skye!’ Sarah Bennett

Escape to the Isle of Skye this winter with bestseller Lisa Hobman, for this brand new wonderfully romantic read. After the heartbreak of a secret unrequited love, Millie Treadaway has finally found someone to spend her life with.Harry Rose is handsome, successful and treats her like a princess. That is until Millie presents her fiance with a surprise birthday gift, and their future is suddenly doomed.Eight months later Millie returns to Glentorrin on the Isle of Skye for her best friend Jules’ Christmas wedding. Heartbroken, single and heavily pregnant.Staying in Lifeboat Cottage with Jules’ brother, kindhearted Dexter, she’s given up on love and resigned herself to be the best single Mum ever.But a shock phone call from Harry leaves her reeling and doubting herself and her decisions.Do second chances work? Or is Dexter, right? That she deserves much more?Can the festive spirit in Glentorrin, and a little stray Jack Russell terrier, heal her heart?Or is she fated to remain a member of the lonely-hearts club forever?Praise for Lisa Hobman:’I love it! – escape to the beautiful Isle of Skye with this feel-good, uplifting story of lost love and second chances…’ Holly MartinSimply gorgeous. An uplifting story of two broken individuals trying to find the courage to take a chance on love again’ Jessica Redland’A really uplifting, feel-good read about hope, love and second chances, that really did warm my heart.’ Kim Nash’A gorgeous, heart-warming romantic journey, reminds us to never give up on love…’ Lucy Coleman’You will fall in love with this story of fresh starts and mending broken hearts’ Mandy Baggot’A heart-breakingly beautiful story of love and loss set in the stunning village of Glentorrin. Be prepared to fall in love over and over again.’ Nancy Barone’What a beautiful read this was. I was rooting for Juliette from the first page. Lisa handled some tough subjects with a delicate and deft touch. I’m ready to escape to Skye!’ Sarah Bennett

Escape to the Isle of Skye this winter with bestseller Lisa Hobman, for this brand new wonderfully romantic read. After the heartbreak of a secret unrequited love, Millie Treadaway has finally found someone to spend her life with.Harry Rose is handsome, successful and treats her like a princess. That is until Millie presents her fiance with a surprise birthday gift, and their future is suddenly doomed.Eight months later Millie returns to Glentorrin on the Isle of Skye for her best friend Jules’ Christmas wedding. Heartbroken, single and heavily pregnant.Staying in Lifeboat Cottage with Jules’ brother, kindhearted Dexter, she’s given up on love and resigned herself to be the best single Mum ever.But a shock phone call from Harry leaves her reeling and doubting herself and her decisions.Do second chances work? Or is Dexter, right? That she deserves much more?Can the festive spirit in Glentorrin, and a little stray Jack Russell terrier, heal her heart?Or is she fated to remain a member of the lonely-hearts club forever?Praise for Lisa Hobman:’I love it! – escape to the beautiful Isle of Skye with this feel-good, uplifting story of lost love and second chances…’ Holly MartinSimply gorgeous. An uplifting story of two broken individuals trying to find the courage to take a chance on love again’ Jessica Redland’A really uplifting, feel-good read about hope, love and second chances, that really did warm my heart.’ Kim Nash’A gorgeous, heart-warming romantic journey, reminds us to never give up on love…’ Lucy Coleman’You will fall in love with this story of fresh starts and mending broken hearts’ Mandy Baggot’A heart-breakingly beautiful story of love and loss set in the stunning village of Glentorrin. Be prepared to fall in love over and over again.’ Nancy Barone’What a beautiful read this was. I was rooting for Juliette from the first page. Lisa handled some tough subjects with a delicate and deft touch. I’m ready to escape to Skye!’ Sarah Bennett

Escape to the Isle of Skye this winter with bestseller Lisa Hobman, for this brand new wonderfully romantic read. After the heartbreak of a secret unrequited love, Millie Treadaway has finally found someone to spend her life with.Harry Rose is handsome, successful and treats her like a princess. That is until Millie presents her fiance with a surprise birthday gift, and their future is suddenly doomed.Eight months later Millie returns to Glentorrin on the Isle of Skye for her best friend Jules’ Christmas wedding. Heartbroken, single and heavily pregnant.Staying in Lifeboat Cottage with Jules’ brother, kindhearted Dexter, she’s given up on love and resigned herself to be the best single Mum ever.But a shock phone call from Harry leaves her reeling and doubting herself and her decisions.Do second chances work? Or is Dexter, right? That she deserves much more?Can the festive spirit in Glentorrin, and a little stray Jack Russell terrier, heal her heart?Or is she fated to remain a member of the lonely-hearts club forever?Praise for Lisa Hobman:’I love it! – escape to the beautiful Isle of Skye with this feel-good, uplifting story of lost love and second chances…’ Holly MartinSimply gorgeous. An uplifting story of two broken individuals trying to find the courage to take a chance on love again’ Jessica Redland’A really uplifting, feel-good read about hope, love and second chances, that really did warm my heart.’ Kim Nash’A gorgeous, heart-warming romantic journey, reminds us to never give up on love…’ Lucy Coleman’You will fall in love with this story of fresh starts and mending broken hearts’ Mandy Baggot’A heart-breakingly beautiful story of love and loss set in the stunning village of Glentorrin. Be prepared to fall in love over and over again.’ Nancy Barone’What a beautiful read this was. I was rooting for Juliette from the first page. Lisa handled some tough subjects with a delicate and deft touch. I’m ready to escape to Skye!’ Sarah Bennett

Celebrate fifteen years of embracing differences with this shiny special anniversary edition of Tyrannosaurus Drip featuring brand new bonus material.Everyone knows that tyrannosauruses are supposed to be big and scary, so when a placid duckbill dinosaur’s egg ends up in the wrong nest, confusion is sure to ensue! When the baby dinosaur hatches out, he’s so out of place that his grisly big sisters call him Tyrannosaurus Drip. Poor little Drip: all he wants is a quiet life munching on water weed . . .From the stellar partnership of Julia Donaldson and David Roberts, this fantastic rhyming adventure story has plenty of humour and is perfect for young dinosaur fans everywhere!

It only takes one spark to reignite an old mystery . . .DI Eve Hunter and her team are called to the scene of a fire that has destroyed a home for underprivileged children in Aberdeen. No-one knows how the blaze started; all they know is that one person didn’t make it out in time.Her team have dealt with their fair share of tragedies but this case affects them each deeply – particularly when they start to suspect that everyone at the home, from the residents to the staff, has something to hide. And when a horrific discovery is unearthed in the ruins of the property, the team must ask themselves – did someone have a secret worth killing for?READERS ARE OBSESSED WITH THE DI EVE HUNTER SERIES’Without a doubt the best police procedural I have read in a long time”You won’t want to stop reading this addictive crime novel”Fantastic characters that you’ll fall in love with – I really couldn’t put this book down!”Can’t wait for the next one . . . and the next one . . . and the next one!’

The postman and the primary teacher, the midwife and the musician. Workers in shops, workers at sea. Solidarity with the Columbian farmer and the Palestinian fireman…Modern trade unionists in Scotland perform all types of role in every imaginable location and are drawn from all backgrounds. They campaign to win on issues facing the colleague next to them and a comrade thousands of miles away.’Mon the Workers lets them tell their stories, in their words. It is a celebration of 125 years of the STUC, and a clarion call for the next generation to agitate, organise and win.’Mon the Workers demonstrates past achievements, explores the ideas trade unionists have fought for and rouses the movement towards future victories. 75 trade union members, reps and officials tell short stories of union life from the anti-apartheid movement to Wick Wants Work. Their written portraits are accompanied by 50 charismatic documentary images of other, fellow trade unionists.Surprising, amusing, touching and occasionally infuriating, this very human book pulsates with the heartbeat of the trade union movement which has achieved so much and still has more to do.

Although Scots have never been an exceptionally large immigrant group in North America, their presence to the West proved significant in a variety of arenas. In this unique and engaging new book, Ferenc Morton Szasz outlines the many contributions Scots have made to the development of the region.This book illuminates the many Scottish explorers, traders, adventurers, ranchers, artists, photographers, and writers who helped forge what is perhaps America’s greatest cultural export-the myth of the West.

Two victims. Nothing connects them, except that someone buried them in the exact same way.Seven hundred years apart.An archaeological dig at the old South Leith parish kirkyard has turned up a mysterious body dating from around seven hundred years ago. Some suspect that this gruesome discovery is a sacrifice, placed there for a specific purpose.Then a second body is unearthed. This victim went missing only thirty years ago – but the similarities between her death and the ancient woman’s suggest something even more disturbing.Drawn into the investigation, Inspector McLean finds himself torn between a worrying trend of violent drug-related deaths and uncovering what truly connects these bodies. When a third body is discovered, and too close for comfort, he begins to suspect dark purpose at play – and that whoever put them there is far from finished.Praise for James Oswald:’The new Ian Rankin’ Daily Record’Creepy, gritty and gruesome’ Sunday Mirror’Crime fiction’s next big thing’ Sunday Telegraph

Strong queens, wise kings, secret plots and fierce battles — discover the historic legends of Scotland’s most famous monarchs.In this stunning collection, Carnegie-award-winning children’s author Theresa Breslin tells captivating tales of ten significant Scottish kings and queens alongside informative historical introductions, all sumptuously illustrated by Liza Tretyakova.Children will experience history up close — rescuing the Stone of Destiny with Scotland’s first king, Kenneth McAlpin, battling at Bannockburn with Robert the Bruce, making friends with young Mary, Queen of Scots, and braving a would-be assassin with Queen Victoria.Inspired by historical sources and ancient legends, Breslin’s stories are by turns thrilling, surprising and heart-warming. This unique anthology brings to life fascinating, influential characters from the past and offers vivid glimpses of Scotland emerging as a nation.Illustrated Legends of Scotland’s Kings and Queens is a beautiful celebration of Scottish heritage that will be treasured for a lifetime.

Silver Unicorns and Golden Birds is a treasure trove of traditional Scottish folk and fairy tales as told by Duncan Williamson, one of Scotland’s greatest storytellers.Young readers will explore a land of folklore and magic inhabited by helpful broonies, fickle fairies, golden birds and shining unicorns in captivating tales, full of colour, humour and life. These timeless stories have been passed down the generations through oral tradition and are now retold for today’s children while carefully preserving Duncan’s unique storytelling voice.One of Scotland’s Travelling People, Duncan spent a lifetime journeying the country’s highways and byways, collecting stories along the way. This beautifully presented treasury includes insight into Duncan’s life and cultural heritage alongside a curated collection of his best-loved stories and classic tales.A selection of these stories has previously appeared in The Coming of the Unicorn and The Flight of the Golden Bird.

Silver Unicorns and Golden Birds is a treasure trove of traditional Scottish folk and fairy tales as told by Duncan Williamson, one of Scotland’s greatest storytellers.Young readers will explore a land of folklore and magic inhabited by helpful broonies, fickle fairies, golden birds and shining unicorns in captivating tales, full of colour, humour and life. These timeless stories have been passed down the generations through oral tradition and are now retold for today’s children while carefully preserving Duncan’s unique storytelling voice.One of Scotland’s Travelling People, Duncan spent a lifetime journeying the country’s highways and byways, collecting stories along the way. This beautifully presented treasury includes insight into Duncan’s life and cultural heritage alongside a curated collection of his best-loved stories and classic tales.A selection of these stories has previously appeared in The Coming of the Unicorn and The Flight of the Golden Bird.

Bringing together the latest scholarship from all over the world on topics ranging from reading practices in ancient China to the workings of the twenty-first-century reading brain, the 4 volumes of the Edinburgh History of Reading demonstrate that reading is a deeply imbricated, socio-political practice, at once personal and public, defiant and obedient. It is often materially ephemeral, but it can also be emotionally and intellectually enduring.

Headstrong heroines and hot-tempered chieftains, loch monsters and hill fairies, cattle raids and clan feuds, wise animals and foolish saints: the Scottish Highlands’ folktales date back centuries and preserve the history and beliefs of a people deeply rooted in their land and culture. Oral traditions connect the modern world with the hearts and minds of Scottish Highlanders across the ages, bringing their world to life in vivid detail.This anthology includes new and approachable translations of folktales from the Scottish Highlands and Nova Scotia, providing extensive commentary on this rich storytelling tradition. Each story is annotated with information about its origins and any insights into its meaning. The original Scottish Gaelic texts, collected from a wide variety of rare and obscure sources, are provided in an appendix.