THE BEST OF SCOTTISH BOOKS

In this compelling story of teenage rivalry and friendship, award-winning author Keith Gray captures the subtle agonies and reality of life growing up in a small town.Sully is the best climber in the village. He can scale the Twisted Sister’s tangled branches and clamber up Double Trunker with ease. But when new kid Nottingham shows up and astonishes everyone with his climbing skills, Sully’s status is under threat and there’s only one way to prove who’s best. Sully and Nottingham must race to climb the last unnamed tree. Whoever makes it to the top will become a legend. But something spiteful and ugly has reared its head in Sully … Is it worth losing everything just to reach the top?

Granny’s hunt for the perfect pet brings some unexpected results in this goofy adventure of family, mudlarking and mayhem.Zac and Essie have been helping their Granny Mo in her search for the perfect pet. She’s tried everything fromcats to axolotls and just can’t find the right one. But when the trio go mudlarking in the river bank they find acreature unlike anything else … Granny Mo might have set out looking for a pet but now she’s got a monster onher hands, and it’s about to get up to some mischief!

A case of mistaken identity leads to unintentional criminal activity when a dream family holiday goes terribly wrong in this punny comedy caper from author-illustrator Tom McLaughlin.The Goodfellows are the perfect family. From helping the local community to scooping up prizes in school, there’snothing they can’t do. And they’ve just won the holiday of a lifetime to the Big Apple!When the family touchdown in New York and overhear a gentleman looking for the goodfellas, they can only assume he’s there to pick them up. But soon they’re involved in a diamond robbery and a gangster named Big Tony is thanking them for their impeccable work. It looks like everything for the Goodfellows is about to go very, very wrong …

Mishaps and mayhem abound as Noodle joins the new kid in class for the school talent show in this adorable canine comedy.There’s another new arrival at Wigley Primary. At first Samir finds it hard to settle in, but with a bit of help from Noodle the doodle, he starts to feel at home. When the class decide to put on a talent show to raise money for charity, Samir can’t decide what to do – until his new best buddy Noodle gives him an amazing idea. Can the children in the class prove that Wigley’s got talent … or will Noodle steal the show?

Is it possible for books to dream? For books to dream within books? Is there a literary subterranea that would facilitate ingress and exit points through these dreams?These are some of the questions posed by David Keenan’s masterly fifth novel, Monument Maker, an epic romance of eternal summer and a descent, into history, into the horrors of the past; a novel with a sweep and range that runs from the siege of Khartoum and the conquest of Africa in the 19th century through the Second World War and up to the present day, where the memory of a single summer, and a love affair that took place across the cathedrals of Ile de France, unravels, as a secret initiatory cult is uncovered that has its roots in macabre experiments in cryptozoology in pre-war Europe.MONUMENT MAKER straddles genres while fully embracing none of them, a book within a book within a book that runs from hallucinatory historical epics through future-visioned histories of the world narrated by a horribly disfigured British soldier made prophetic by depths of suffering; books that interact with Keenan’s earlier novels, including a return to the mythical post-punk Airdrie landscape of his now classic debut, THIS IS MEMORIAL DEVICE; whole histories of art and religion; books that are glorious choral appendices; bibliographies; imagined films; tape recorded interviews; building to a jubilant accumulation of registers, voices and rhythms that is truly Choral.Written over the course of 10 years, MONUMENT MAKER represents the apex of Keenan’s project to create books that contain uncanny life and feel like living organisms. It is a meditation on art and religion, and on what it means to make monument; this great longing for something eternal, something that could fix moments in time, forever.

Private McAuslan was ‘the biggest walking disaster to hit the Army’. Loosely based on his own experiences in a Scottish regiment, and written with rare humour, a sense of the ludicrous and real affection for soldiering, the third volume of George MacDonald Fraser’s McAuslan trilogy now finally comes to life on audio.Private McAuslan’s admirers already know him as court-martial defendant, ghost-catcher, star-crossed lover and golf caddie extraordinary; in this third and final volume of army memoirs he appears as the most unlikely of batmen to his long-suffering protector and persecutor, Lieutenant Dand MacNeill; as guardroom philosopher and adviser to the leader of the Riff Rebellion; and even as Lance Corporal McAuslan, the Mad Tyrant of Three Section! Whether map-reading his erratic way through the Sahara by night or confronting Arab rioters, McAuslan’s talent for catastrophe is as sure as ever.Private McAuslan, J., The Dirtiest Soldier in the World (alias the Tartan Caliban) first demonstrated his unfitness for the service in THE GENERAL DANCED AT DAWN. He continued his disorderly advance, losing, soiling or destroying his equipment, through the pages of’ McAUSLAN IN THE ROUGH. Finally, THE SHEIKH AND THE DUSTBIN ‘pursues the career of the great incompetent as he bauchles (see Glossary) across North Africa and Scotland, swinging his right arm in time with his right leg and tripping over his untied laces.Based on MacDonald Fraser’s own experiences in the Border Regiment and the Gordon Highlanders, which took him to India, Africa and the Middle East, these stories demonstrate the celebrated author of the swashbuckling FLASHMAN series at his hilarious best.

Several ghosts haunt Learning to Sleep, John Burnside’s first collection of poetry in four years – from the author’s mother, commemorated in an exquisitely charged variant on the pastoral elegy, to the poet Arthur Rimbaud, who wanders an implausible Lincolnshire landscape looking for some sign of belonging. Throughout the book, the powers and dominions of a lost pagan ancestry emerge unexpectedly through the gaps in contemporary life: half-seen and fleeting, but profoundly present. Behind it all, the figure of Hypnos, the Greek god of sleep, marks Burnside’s own attempts to come to terms with the severe sleep disorder from which he has suffered for years, a condition that culminated in the recent near-death experience that informs the latter part of the book. Add to this a series of provocative meditations on the ways in which we are all harmed by institutions, from organised religion, or marriage, to the tawdry concepts of gender and romantic love that subtly govern our personal lives, and Learning to Sleep reveals Burnside at his most elegiac, while still retaining a radical pagan’s sense of celebration and cultural independence.

The Waverley Scotland Year 2022 Tartan Cloth Commonplace diary is a week-to-view with opposite page blank; bound in Isle of Skye tartan cloth, weekly diary planner, agenda calendar. Comes with printed clan map. Square grid section at the back for accounts, with space for addresses. Days of the week in five languages. All other text is in English.

Turmeric the Dragon loved stories, especially stories about dragons. The trouble was his parents didn’t like telling them much. “Stories always ends badly for us Dragons,” said his father. But Turmeric didn’t believe him, so he set off to find out for himself.Down in the village Pip loved to tell stories. Her absolute favourite ones were about dragons. The problem was they always got her into trouble. After an unexpected meeting Turmeric and Pip find themselves in their very own dragon story.Madeline Pinkerton was discovered working behind the scenes in the Edinburgh International Book Festival bookshop. Her warm, classical-looking illustrations perfectly combine with a wonderful story about bravery, following your own path, and friendship. Madeline is the fourth Little Door Debut to be published by Little Door Books.

Kidnapped was published in 1886 amid one of the most productive periods of Robert Louis Stevenson’s career. Although it was immediately met with popular success and critical acclaim, the novel was derided for decades as a story for children before being recognized as a major work of English literature.Set in the aftermath of the Jacobite uprising of 1745, and full of a rich blend of English and Scots, Kidnapped is a powerful work with strong Scottish ties. The narrative follows David Balfour, a 17-year-old orphan whose uncle, the wretched and disturbed Ebenezer, conspires to steal the family estate, David’s rightful inheritance. When David discovers his uncle’s plan, Ebenezer tricks the boy and sells him to Captain Hoseason, a slaver embarking for the Carolinas. Blindsided by a blow to the head, David awakes in the hold of the Covenant, bound with rope and helpless as the ship bears him toward the terrors of slavery. By a stroke of faith, however, the ship gets lost in fog and strikes a smaller boat near the west coast of Scotland. In the ensuing chaos, David and one of the wreck’s survivors, Jacobite rebel Alan Breck Stewart, gain control of the ship and force Captain Hoseason to turn the Covenant toward the mainland. When the ship runs up against rocks, David finds himself alone on shore, and bravely begins his landward journey to regain his inheritance. Swept up in political circumstances far beyond his control, and faced with the danger awaiting him at home, David must do all he can to survive.To read Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped is to enter a world fully formed by the mind of one of history’s greatest storytellers. David Balfour’s story is gripping not just because it is a tale of survival, but because his struggle to overcome the merciless turns of fate is, to its core, unbearably and beautifully human. Kidnapped is a historical adventure novel adored by readers, critics, and writers alike. It is a story for children and adults who refuse to accept that hope is a thing to outgrow.With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this new edition of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped is a classic of English literature reimagined for modern readers.

This edition of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes contains twelve short stories that introduce the reader to the iconic detective and his sidekick, Dr. Watson.Sherlock Holmes is a mysterious person. Extremely observant, highly intelligent, and yet emotionally unstable, Holmes’ reputation as a detective is unparalleled. Beyond his proclivity for forensic science, Sherlock Homes is a gifted violinist, thoroughly enjoys using the word, “elementary,” and is always dressed in his signature deerstalker cap and cape – all of which serve him in fending off his arch nemesis, Moriarty. Dr. Watson, one of Sherlock Holmes’ few acquaintances, aids him in his mystery-solving adventures, and the duo are legendary among the ranks of fictional crime-solving sleuths.Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, this edition of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes includes stories such as A Scandal in Bohemia, The Red-Headed League, A Case of Identity and many more. With an eye-catching new cover and new note about the author, this book is both modern and readable.

Matthew Henson was simply an ordinary man. That was, until Commander Robert E. Peary entered his life, and offered him a chance at true adventure. Henson would become navigator, craftsman, translator, and right-hand man on a treacherous journey to the North Pole. Defying the odds and the many prejudices that faced him to become a true pioneer. This is his incredible and often untold story. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+

‘This series is a must-read for anyone who loves the sea, or islands, or joyous, intricate story-telling.’ ANN CLEEVESMarsali Taylor returns with the ninth gripping mystery in her Shetland Sailing Mystery series.While onboard her last chartered sailing trip of the season, Cass Lynch is awoken in the middle of the night by a Mayday call to the Shetland coastguard. A fishing vessel has become trapped on the rocks off the coast of one of the islands.In the days that follow, there’s both a shocking murder and a baffling death. On the surface there’s no link, but when Cass becomes involved it is soon clear that her life is also in danger.Convinced that someone sinister is at work in these Shetland waters, Cass is determined to find and stop them. But uncovering the truth could prove to be deadly . . .Readers LOVE the Shetland Sailing Mysteries:’Definitely the best of the Cass Lynch series yet!’ 5* Reader Review’The beautiful descriptions of Shetland life, traditions, it’s landscape and even language bring everything to life.’ 5* Reader Review’This series gets better and better’ 5* Reader Review’A beautifully written story, with descriptions so vivid you can smell the sea and beautiful countryside.’ 5* Reader Review’The perfect lockdown read for anyone who longs to be back on the sea.’ 5* Reader Review

Exam Board: SQALevel: HigherSubject: Modern StudiesFirst Teaching: August 2018First Exam: June 2019A course textbook covering the most recent political developments and fully updated to take on board the latest SQA course assessment changes.Written specifically to match the Higher syllabus offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, Democracy in Scotland and the UK covers all of the topics that students will encounter in this unit of the course: UK constitutional arrangements, representative democracy and the political process, electoral systems and voting behaviour.- Questions to help monitor progress throughout the topics- Case studies and fact files to focus attention on specific areas- Assessment guides to prepare students for the final exam

‘In Treasure Island, Stevenson wrote one of the great books of all time, an enduring masterpiece, and my favourite too. No edition has ever been better illustrated than this. Ingpen’s drawings are utterly compelling.’ – Michael MorpurgoRobert Louis Stevenson’s tale of pirates, treasure and swashbuckling action on the high seas is the archetypal ripping yarn and continues to captivate readers of all ages.Our narrator is Jim Hawkins, son of a guesthouse owner on the west coast of England sometime in the 18th century. An old buccaneer, Billy Bones, arrives at the inn with a map showing the way to Captain Flint’s treasure, but he is closely followed by a group of dastardly pirates under the command of the ominous Blind Pew. Jim, in an act of bravery and cunning gets hold of the map before this rabid mob. He delivers it to Squire Trelawney, and together they set off for Treasure Island in the Squire’s schooner. Among the crew, however, is the treacherous Long John Silver who is determined to keep the treasure for himself…The award-winning artist Robert Ingpen has set his imagination loose on this breathtaking adventure, bringing the unforgettable characters and their thrilling escapades to life as never before.

‘In Treasure Island, Stevenson wrote one of the great books of all time, an enduring masterpiece, and my favourite too. No edition has ever been better illustrated than this. Ingpen’s drawings are utterly compelling.’ – Michael MorpurgoWhen an old sea captain arrives at the Admiral Benbow inn with a mysterious sea chest and fearful talk of a man with one leg, the scene is set for one of the most popular adventure stories of all time.Young Jim Hawkins finds a treasure map among the captain’s belongings and, accompanied by his friends Doctor Livesey and Squire Trelawney, they set off in search of Captain Flint’s buried treasure. They place their trust in the sea cook Long John Silver, little knowing that he is the infamous one-legged man.As they and a crew of pirates set sail for Treasure Island, mutiny breaks out aboard the Hispaniola, and in the following race to find the treasure, Jim and Long John Silver must face each other in a series of exciting battles of both strength and wits.A beautiful gift edition, abridged for younger readers.

Pits and Boots derives from excavations carried out in 2007-8, in advance of an extension to the Bon Accord Centre in Aberdeen, that uncovered the backlands of an area that would have formed part of the industrial quarter of the medieval town. The site is well-dated by dendrochronology, augmented by artefactual evidence, and indicates activity from the late 12th century AD into the early modern period, with a particularly intensive period in the 13th century. Structural evidence consists primarily of the backland boundaries, hearth/ovens, several wood-lined wells and many large pits. It is the contents of these pits and wells which forms the core of this monograph. The waterlogged conditions within the pits and wells has meant that a remarkable assemblage of organic remains including leather, wooden artefacts, textiles, animal pelts, fibres, and cordage has survived. The leather assemblage is the largest ever to be found in Scotland and has revealed a range of activities associated with the use of animal hides, from hide processing to tanning and shoemaking. The wood assemblage is also extensive and includes bowls, platters, coopered vessels and tools. Metalwork, crucibles, clay mould fragments and ceramics all testify to the industrial nature of the area, while the large quantities of animal and fishbone demonstrate that butchery on an industrial scale took place in the area. The excavation charts the changing nature of this once-peripheral area of Aberdeen, from an industrial zone in the medieval period, to horticultural and domestic spaces in post-medieval times, and has thus greatly enhanced our knowledge of Scottish urban development.

An undercover mission beyond the Iron Curtain to recover a defected scientist goes disastrously wrong – a classic early Cold War thriller from the acclaimed master of action and suspense.Doctor Jennings, a noted scientist in possession of a precious secret, has gone over to the Soviet Union. It is Michael Reynolds’ mission to get him back.To penetrate behind the Iron Curtain and reach his quarry will be difficult enough, especially with the fearsome Hungarian Secret Police watching his every move.Then, from inside that terrifying organisation, comes the offer of help – the question is: can it be trusted?

Follow the story of a dog named Skye, who really was found in a skip and after many adventures, her return home after six years. This heart warming true tale is a tribute to the power hope, and of the microchip!

Anne Pia’s responses to Baudelaire’s poetry is not only emotional and intellectual but also linguistic. It comes from her profound love for France’s language and culture, particularly when it looks beyond nationhood.As she writes in her passionate and illuminating introduction, “[Baudelaire] luxuriates and furiously dismisses. He rages and yet he speaks soft words. He is tender. He yearns, aches and seductively persuades. A creator of vivid visuals and sublimely evocative music, a conjuror of mist, soft light and of exotic scents, a sculptor and a weaver of tapestry and texture through a mere interplay of words and skilful verse and stanza, Baudelaire – whether jubilant or bitter – is never light-hearted, always honest, intense, disturbing.”The challenge Pia set herself was to recreate some of this powerful mix in our English language, which has perhaps ceased to look for inspiration beyond itself since it became so dominant. And she has succeeded in this challenge quite remarkably, drawing the reader into the intimacy of her own intellectual and artistic journey with deep European roots.In this volume we have published the original French poems Pia has chosen and her poetic responses in English, along with her literal translations of the originals. It is a bold move in a “language not of its time”, which demands our engagement.