THE BEST OF SCOTTISH BOOKS

A warm, witty, passionate cry for living, vital, indigenous languages and the people who speak them.

Despite the more than 200 Indigenous languages spoken in Mexico, including 63 that are officially recognized and celebrated by the Mexican government, linguistic diversity is and has been under attack in a larger culture that says bilingual is good when it means Spanish and English, but bad when it means Nahuatl and Spanish. Yásnaya Aguilar, a linguist and native Mixe speaker, asks what is lost, for everyone, when the contradictions inherent in Mexico’s relationship with its many Indigenous languages mean official protection and actual contempt at worst, and ignorance at best. What does it mean to have a prize for Indigenous literature when different Indigenous languages are as far from each other as they are from Japanese? What impact does considering Tzotzil ‘cultural heritage’ have on our idea of it, when it is still being used, and refreshed, and changed (like every other language) today? How does the idea of Indigeneity stand up, when you consider Indigenous peoples outside of the frame of colonialism?

Personal, anecdotal, and full of vivid examples, Aguilar does more than advocate for the importance of resistance by native peoples: she offers everyone the opportunity to value and enjoy a world in which culture, language, and community is delighted in, not flattened.

‘We have sacrificed Mexico in favor of creating the idea of Mexico’ she says. This Mouth Is Mine is an invitation to take it back.

15 of the best short walks on the Shetland Islands. Most walks are under 3 hours in duration and between 2km and 9km, so they’re perfect if you’re new to walking or are looking for something that the whole family can enjoy.

Easy-to-read OS maps, clear route descriptions and lots of images

Includes Sumburgh Head, St Ninian’s Isle, Bannaminn, Culswick Broch, Ward of Clett, Lerwick, Eshaness and Hermaness

Many routes are accessible by public transport, but some require private transport

Information on local beauty spots and refreshment stops

GPX files available for download

Prepare to be spellbound by Jim Kay’s inspired reimagining of Harry Potter’s fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. When Harry is unexpectedly chosen to compete in the legendary Triwizard Tournament, he finds himself facing death-defying tasks, dragons and Dark wizards. Although his friends do their best to help him prepare, Harry must navigate each treacherous test alone, pushing his courage and quick-thinking to their limits. But while the attention of the wizarding world is focused on the Tournament, a much bigger challenge is lurking in the shadows. Lord Voldemort is plotting his return…

This irresistible smaller-format paperback edition has been beautifully redesigned with selected full-colour illustration highlights, bringing J.K. Rowling’s storytelling genius and Jim Kay’s artistic wizardry to a new generation of readers. Experience the excitement of the Quidditch World Cup, the cheery comfort of The Burrow and the festive grandeur of the Yule Ball, and meet such unforgettable characters as Cedric Diggory, Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krum. Fizzing with magic and brimming with humour, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire will captivate wizards and Muggles alike.

*Please note: the fully illustrated edition is still available in hardback.

Drones, gangland vendettas, a missing choir singer, disturbances in the cemetery, PTSD, panpsychism, and secrets from the past – this can ONLY mean one thing! The Skelfs are back, and things are as nail-biting, tense and warmly funny as ever!

‘Hurroo! The Skelfs – Edinburgh funeral directors and part-time private eyes – are back – the persistence of love in the Skelf household, no matter what fate flings at it, is reassuring and life-affirming’ The Times Book of the Month

The Skelf women are back on an even keel after everything they’ve been through. But when a funeral they’re conducting is attacked by a drone, Jenny fears they’re in the middle of an Edinburgh gangland vendetta. At the same time, Yana, a Ukrainian member of the refugee choir that plays with Dorothy’s band, has gone missing. Searching for her leads Dorothy into strange and ominous territory. And Brodie, the newest member of the extended Skelf family, comes to Hannah with a case: Something or someone has been disturbing the grave of his stillborn son. Everything is changing for the Skelfs – Dorothy’s boyfriend Thomas is suffering PTSD after previous violent trauma, Jenny and Archie are becoming close, and Hannah’s case leads her to consider the curious concept of panpsychism, which brings new danger – while ghosts from the family’s past return to threaten their very lives. Funny, shocking and profound, Living Is A Problem is the highly anticipated sixth instalment of the unforgettable Skelfs series – shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Best Scottish Crime Novel and Theakston Old Peculier Crime Book of the Year – where life and death become intertwined more than ever before…

The world’s most evil comic book character is back! Who is Nemesis and why does this eccentric billionaire who dresses up in a mask and cape want to terrorise people instead of helping them? Isn’t that how this is supposed to go? Trigger warning: Too violent and just too cool for some! Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Collecting the entire arc by superstar creative team Mark Millar and Jorge Jiménez. Collects NEMESIS: RELOADED #1-5

Scotland is a beautiful country and it can often look more stunning from the air, from that special bird’s-eye view. With today’s technology, drones have opened up the world, showing us new and unique perspectives on the landscape. In this book acclaimed photographer Shahbash Majeed has used drone and helicopter to show the nation of Scotland from the air. Through these pictures, the reader can see the sweep of the landscape and how the layers of history have been embedded in and become part of these landscapes.

From its and its varied and dramatic landscape and coastline, to its iconic landmarks, historic buildings, towns, cities and industries, the drone’s-eye views on these pages show the beauty and fascination of Scotland. It will give readers a new perspective on Scotland’s rich and varied natural landscapes and historical heritage.

Class 37 Locomotives were introduced to British Rail from 1960 onwards and eventually numbered 309. In Scotland, they were initially allocated to Eastfield and Polmadie depots in Glasgow and Haymarket Depot in Edinburgh. They became known as Type 3s and were used for both passenger and freight services. In later years, during the privatisation era, the Class 37 fleet became dedicated to various coal workings in the Ayrshire and Lothian areas. A number of the class were also upgraded at Crewe Works in the mid-1980s with electric train heating (ETH) for the West Highland and North Highland routes.

This book covers the class from the mid-1970s in the BR era, through sectorisation and onto privatisation and beyond. The locos performed reliably and worked all over Scotland. Some are now preserved at various heritage lines throughout the United Kingdom.

Unlike American states or German Länder, the counties of the United Kingdom have not uniformly borne distinctive flags. A few, such as Kent and Essex, have been associated with specific emblems for centuries which in the modern era have also appeared as flags. Certain territories of the United Kingdom however, with differing historical, cultural and linguistic legacies, have raised flags to mark themselves out as distinct and different. A Cornish flag has existed since at least the nineteenth century, and is considered to be a ‘national’ flag reflecting the status of the territory and its people as an assimilated Celtic land, rather than just one amongst many English counties.

Today, more then 50 counties have their own flag. All of them are reproduced here. The stories behind the flag designs are a window into local history – and local pride. Nottinghamshire’s flag features Robin Hood – no surprise there – but why is he at the centre of England’s St George’s Cross? Because Nottinghamshire is located at the centre of England. Gloucestershire’s flag was registered in March 2008 and was the winning entry in a competition held by the High Sheriff of the county to commemorate the county’s millennium. The winner explains his design: ‘The green is representative of our rural county, the blue, the River Severn, and the yellow, Cotswold Stone.’

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 new and updated edition of his acclaimed book, Paul visits each of the Hebridean islands in turn, introducing their myths and legends, history, culture and extraordinary natural beauty.

In addition he also meets the people who live there and learns their story. He has met crofters, fishermen, tweed weavers, Gaelic singers, clan chiefs, artists, postmen and bus drivers – people from every walk of life who make the islands tick. This blend of the contemporary and the traditional creates a vivid account of the Hebrides and serves as unique guide to the less well known aspects of life among the islands.

NOW A MAJOR FILM STARRING SAOIRSE RONAN

WITH A NEW AFTERWORD FROM THE AUTHOR

THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER

WINNER OF THE PEN ACKERLEY PRIZE AND THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE

After spending her twenties in London, Amy Liptrot returns to her home in Orkney where she comes to terms with the addiction that has consumed the past decade of her life. On the remote island, Amy spends her mornings swimming in the cold sea, her days observing wildlife, and her nights searching the sky for any signs of the Northern Lights. She soon discovers how the natural world can restore life, heal old wounds and renew hope.

Uncover the Extraordinary Adventure of the Lamb Gang: Join their Mission to Save our Planet!

When a mysterious MONSTER washes up on the shores of LOCH NESS in Scotland, the intrepid LAMB GANG jump into action on their first adventure. BOING! BOING! BOING! The poorly monster is barely breathing, when a curious Clover realises there’s something stuck in its throat. With the kiss of life out of the question (YUCK!), the Lamb Gang hatches an ingenious plan to save the monster before it’s too late.

NESSIE – for that is who it is – is saved. HURRAY! The famous Loch Ness monster then teaches her heroic friends about the harm caused to animals by PLASTIC POLLUTION and LITTER in our waters. And so, the Lamb Gang decide there’s only one way forward – by inviting children to clean up our VERY IMPORTANT PLANET and make it like new.

Children aged 4-8 will be delighted by the humorous illustrations and accessible, dyslexia-friendly text of this early reader chapter book in RHYME, which teaches the importance of the ENVIRONMENT and CONSERVATION.

‘IF WE LOOK AFTER OUR PLANET, OUR PLANET WILL LOOK AFTER US.’

Experience the same sense of adventure as in Julia Donaldson’s books, such as The Detective Dog, with this curious and clever gang of lambs on their first mission.

The first in a series of 3 delightful environmental and conservation stories for children. Don’t miss out on this adventure and important message of The Lamb Gang save the Loch Ness monster.

THE RETURN OF FIN MACLEOD, PETER MAY’S MUCH-LOVED HERO OF THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING LEWIS TRILOGY.

A MURDER

The body of eighteen-year-old TV personality Caitlin is found abandoned on a remote beach at the head of An Loch Dubh – the Black Loch – on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis. A swimmer and canoeist, it is inconceivable that she could have drowned.

A SECRET

Fin Macleod left the island ten years earlier to escape its memories. When he learns that his married son Fionnlagh had been having a clandestine affair with the dead girl and is suspected of her murder, he and Marsaili return to try and clear his name.

A RECKONING

But nothing is as it seems, and the truth of the murder lies in a past that Fin would rather forget, and a tragedy at the cages of a salmon farm on East Loch Roag, where the tense climax of the story finds its resolution.

The Black Loch takes us on a journey through family ties, hidden relationships and unforgiving landscapes, where suspense, violent revenge and revelation converge in the shadow of the Black Loch.

Great Railway Journeys: The Flying Scotsman Route to Edinburgh is the fifth in Roger Mason’s Great Railway Journeys series. It is a captivating record of what can be seen from trains running from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh.

The forty-one chapters feature statues and monuments, including those paying tribute to the footballer Jackie Milburn and the Prime Minister 2nd Earl Grey. There are cathedrals, castles, viaducts and so much more. These are accompanied by fascinating stories, including how the heroine Grace Darling rowed through a storm to rescue shipwrecked sailors. Another tells of Scotland’s worst-ever fishing disaster in which 189 people lost their lives. There is an account of the 1895 railway races from London to Scotland, which cannot fail to enthral, and nor can the tale of how, in 1926, striking miners derailed the Flying Scotsman train.

In a follow-up to the highly successful London to Oxford and London to Cambridge, this is a must-read for anybody who knows and uses this route.

Primary Maths for Scotland 2B Practice Workbook 2 is the fourth in a series of six write-in Practice Workbooks for second level maths. This Workbook contains additional practice and consolidation for pupils and can be used alongside Textbook 2B or independently.Primary Maths for Scotland 2B Practice Workbook 2 is the fourth in a series of six write-in Practice Workbooks for second level maths. This Workbook contains additional practice and consolidation for pupils and can be used alongside Textbook 2B or independently.The books are clear and simple with a focus on developing conceptual understanding alongside procedural fluency. They cover the entire second level mathematics Curriculum for Excellence in an easy-to-use set of workbooks which can fit in with teacher?s existing planning, resources and scheme of work.Provides additional intelligent practice to embed learning.Gives teachers high quality questions to set as and when they see fit.Supports the mastery approach to have all children working on the same topic at the same time.Allows flexibility for children working at different levels within a topic, by providing support and extension practice where required.A range of questions are provided in context to develop pupils? understanding of real-life application of the skills they are learning.

Primary Maths for Scotland 1B Practice Workbook 2 is the fourth in a series of six write-in Practice Workbooks for first level. This Workbook contains additional practice and consolidation for pupils and can be used alongside Textbook 1B or independently.

Primary Maths for Scotland 1B Practice Workbook 2 is the fourth in a series of six write-in Practice Workbooks for first level. This Workbook contains additional practice and consolidation for pupils and can be used alongside Textbook 1B or independently.

The books are clear and simple with a focus on developing conceptual understanding alongside procedural fluency. They cover the entire second level mathematics Curriculum for Excellence in an easy-to-use set of workbooks which can fit in with teacher’s existing planning, resources and scheme of work.

Provides additional intelligent practice to embed learning.

Gives teachers high quality questions to set as and when they see fit.

Supports the mastery approach to have all children working on the same topic at the same time.

Allows flexibility for children working at different levels within a topic, by providing support and extension practice where required.

A range of questions are provided in context to develop pupils’ understanding of real-life application of the skills they are learning.

Primary Maths for Scotland 1C Practice Workbook 2 is the sixth in a series of six write-in Practice Workbooks for first level. This Workbook contains additional practice and consolidation for pupils and can be used alongside Textbook 1C or independently.

Primary Maths for Scotland 1C Practice Workbook 2 is the sixth in a series of six write-in Practice Workbooks for first level. This Workbook contains additional practice and consolidation for pupils and can be used alongside Textbook 1C or independently.

The books are clear and simple with a focus on developing conceptual understanding alongside procedural fluency. They cover the entire second level mathematics Curriculum for Excellence in an easy-to-use set of workbooks which can fit in with teacher’s existing planning, resources and scheme of work.

Provides additional intelligent practice to embed learning.

Gives teachers high quality questions to set as and when they see fit.

Supports the mastery approach to have all children working on the same topic at the same time.

Allows flexibility for children working at different levels within a topic, by providing support and extension practice where required.

A range of questions are provided in context to develop pupils’ understanding of real-life application of the skills they are learning.

Primary Maths for Scotland 2C Practice Workbook 2 is the sixth in a series of six write-in Practice Workbooks for second level maths. This Workbook contains additional practice and consolidation for pupils and can be used alongside Textbook 2C or independently.

Primary Maths for Scotland 2C Practice Workbook 2 is the sixth in a series of six write-in Practice Workbooks for second level maths. This Workbook contains additional practice and consolidation for pupils and can be used alongside Textbook 2C or independently.

The books are clear and simple with a focus on developing conceptual understanding alongside procedural fluency. They cover the entire second level mathematics Curriculum for Excellence in an easy-to-use set of workbooks which can fit in with teacher’s existing planning, resources and scheme of work.

Provides additional intelligent practice to embed learning.

Gives teachers high quality questions to set as and when they see fit.

Supports the mastery approach to have all children working on the same topic at the same time.

Allows flexibility for children working at different levels within a topic, by providing support and extension practice where required.

A range of questions are provided in context to develop pupils’ understanding of real-life application of the skills they are learning.

Primary Maths for Scotland 1A Practice Workbook 2 is the second in a series of six write-in Practice Workbooks for first level. This Workbook contains additional practice and consolidation for pupils and can be used alongside Textbook 1A or independently.

Primary Maths for Scotland 1A Practice Workbook 2 is the second in a series of six write-in Practice Workbooks for first level. This Workbook contains additional practice and consolidation for pupils and can be used alongside Textbook 1A or independently.

The books are clear and simple with a focus on developing conceptual understanding alongside procedural fluency. They cover the entire second level mathematics Curriculum for Excellence in an easy-to-use set of workbooks which can fit in with teacher’s existing planning, resources and scheme of work.

Provides additional intelligent practice to embed learning.

Gives teachers high quality questions to set as and when they see fit.

Supports the mastery approach to have all children working on the same topic at the same time.

Allows flexibility for children working at different levels within a topic, by providing support and extension practice where required.

A range of questions are provided in context to develop pupils’ understanding of real-life application of the skills they are learning.

Primary Maths for Scotland 2A Practice Workbook 2 is the second in a series of six write-in Practice Workbooks for second level maths. This Workbook contains additional practice and consolidation for pupils and can be used alongside Textbook 2A or independently.

Primary Maths for Scotland 2A Practice Workbook 2 is the second in a series of six write-in Practice Workbooks for second level maths. This Workbook contains additional practice and consolidation for pupils and can be used alongside Textbook 2A or independently.

The books are clear and simple with a focus on developing conceptual understanding alongside procedural fluency. They cover the entire second level mathematics Curriculum for Excellence in an easy-to-use set of workbooks which can fit in with teacher’s existing planning, resources and scheme of work.

Provides additional intelligent practice to embed learning.

Gives teachers high quality questions to set as and when they see fit.

Supports the mastery approach to have all children working on the same topic at the same time.

Allows flexibility for children working at different levels within a topic, by providing support and extension practice where required.

A range of questions are provided in context to develop pupils’ understanding of real-life application of the skills they are learning.

The bank. The bank is greyness and the monotony of modern working practices. The bank is modernity and its obsession with moving money around. The bank is perverse and its mechanisms unknown even to those who work there. The bank is a place where an employee can go quietly insane in the bowels of the building. The bank is an inhumane human creation, a monster whose needs do not coincide with those of its customers and employees. The bank is extraordinary, a metaphysical entity that cannot be understood or explained ?Except perhaps through the equally extraordinary pared-down prose of Magnus Florin, a writer who explains through suggestiveness the inscrutable paradoxes of the way we live now.In spite of their brevity, Florin?s books are novels and not novellas because, like the Tardis, when you enter them you enter a much wider space than you expected. They suggest a myriad of ideas, and you are left guessing where he is going to take you next.