THE BEST OF SCOTTISH BOOKS

A stranger enters the Ashby family home posing as Patrick Ashby, the heir to the family’s sizeable fortune. The stranger, Brat Farrar, has been carefully coached on Patrick’s mannerisms, appearance and every significant detail of Patrick’s early life, up to his thirteenth year when he disappeared and was thought to have drowned himself.It seems as if Brat is going to pull off this most incredible deception – until old secrets emerge that threaten to jeopardise the imposter’s plan and his very life…

Con O’Neill is stuck in a world of brutal gang violence, sectarian vendettas and personal tragedy. The lack of opportunities for him and the rest of his gang is all too apparent. No money. No prospects. A social design that entraps inhabitants of Treacle Towns up and down the country.

Connor is desperate to get away, to find another life where he can experience happiness and fulfilment. When he stumbles upon the new world of slam poetry, Con senses a glimmer of hope – a hope that might just lead to his escape from Treacle Town.

But it won’t be easy.

A stranger enters the Ashby family home posing as Patrick Ashby, the heir to the family’s sizeable fortune. The stranger, Brat Farrar, has been carefully coached on Patrick’s mannerisms, appearance and every significant detail of Patrick’s early life, up to his thirteenth year when he disappeared and was thought to have drowned himself.

It seems as if Brat is going to pull off this most incredible deception – until old secrets emerge that threaten to jeopardise the imposter’s plan and his very life…

Unknown in Scotland upon his arrival and unheralded in the English game, Ange Postecoglou revels in his status as an outside agitator. After transforming a Celtic team in turmoil into serial winners, sweeping up five trophies over the course of two spectacular seasons, his appointment by Tottenham Hotspur made him the first Australian manager to take charge of a Premier League club.

Revolution charts the dramatic story of Postecoglou’s instant impact on British football with Celtic and explores his life and times in the sport, through the eyes of those who know him best. Could a track record in Australian, Japanese and Scottish football transfer to the unique landscape of the English game? Would a man without a playing track record in Europe command the respect of a dressing room packed with international stars?

Examining the traits that set him apart from his playing peers and the coaching education that has prepared him for his biggest challenge, Revolution provides an insight into the making of a man and the unique football philosophy that has reinvigorated teams and transformed playing styles at a succession of clubs across the globe.

Tales of suspense for the twilight hour…

Dark Encounters is a collection of classic and elegantly unsettling ghost stories. A spine-tingling collection, these tales are set in the brooding landscape of Scotland, with an air of historic authenticity – often referring to real events, objects and people. From a demonic text that leaves its readers strangled to the murderous spectre of a feudal baron, this is a crucial addition to the long and distinguished cannon of Scottish ghost stories.

For those who seek out the unnerving, the unknown and the unexplainable, Dark Encounters is guaranteed to raise the hair on the back of your neck.

This edition features a rare story – ‘The MacGregor Skull’ – which was the last story every written by the author and posthumously serialised in the Scotsman in 1963.

The Bone Cave is a vivid account of a month-long journey in the Scottish Highlands. Walking and occasionally hitching, Dougie Strang follows a series of folktales to the locations in which they’re set, encountering along the way a depth of meaning to them that allows him to engage with the landscape from a different perspective – one where the distinction between history and legend is supple, and where his own narrative becomes entangled with figures both real and mythic.

Central to the book is the tale of “The Cailleach and the Brown-eyed Hunter”, which illustrates most fully the ways that myths continue to dwell in the landscape, offering a different perspective on contemporary issues such as land ownership and ecological stewardship. Dougie sets out on his walk at the beginning of October, which also marks the start of the red deer rut. The bellowing of stags becomes the soundtrack to his journey and a vigorous reminder that, as well as mapping invisible landscapes of story, he is also exploring a real, living landscape.

From Ayreshire, into the Central Belt and up to the Stirlingshire hills, the Lowland regions of Scotland are within easy travel distance of its two main cities and the majority of its climbing population. Though perhaps lacking the grandeur of the Highlands, the Lowlands make up for this in variety and accessibility with dolerite quarries, adventurous greywacke sea-cliffs and basalt test-pieces. With over 1,900 trad, sport and bouldering routes, from esoteric gems to world-classics, the area holds something for everyone.

Compiled and updated by local activists, this new guide presents the best that the Lowlands have to offer. With colour photographic topos throughout, inspiring action shots, detailed maps, public transport and accessibility details, it’s designed for both seasoned climbers and those taking their first steps onto outdoor crags.

Coverage of the book includes Stirlingshire, Glasgow, Ayreshire, the Forth Valley, Berwickshire Coast and the Borders Hills.

Key features – Over 1,900 routes, with almost every route on a diagram; 224 high resolution crag diagrams; Inspiring action photos; Detailed access maps designed with accessibilty in mind; Essential crag information to aid planning; Details of accesible climbing venues

When Sir Alex Ferguson retired at the end of the 2013 season he was the most successful football manager Britain had ever seen, having won twice as many trophies as his nearest rival. But that success had not come easily. Thirty-five years previously he had arrived at the rain-swept training ground at Aberdeen F.C. as the recently sacked manager of St Mirren. Already a divisive figure, this Alex Ferguson came with a reputation for trouble and a lot still to prove. Not for nothing, many thought he was a risky choice.

Fergie Rises returns to a time when Ferguson was lucky to get Aberdeen, not the other way around. It’s the story of an eight-year revolution that saw the Dons and their ambitious young manager knock the Old Firm off their perch, taste victory in Europe for the first time, and electrify Scottish football. When Ferguson finally left the club for Manchester United, in 1986, fans and rivals were unanimous in believing he had engineered one of the most astonishing upheavals in the game’s history.

The author also examines the personal tragedies Ferguson overcame – the deaths of his father and his mentor Jock Stein – and the rivalries, setbacks and triumphs that shaped a sporting genius.

This critical history of Doctor Who covers the series 60 years, from the creation of the show to its triumph as Britain’s number one TV drama.

Opening with an in-depth account of the creation of the series within the BBC of the early 1960s, each decade of the show is tackled through a unique political and pop cultural historical viewpoint, exploring the links between contemporary Britain and the stories Doctor Who told, and how such links kept the show popular with a mass television audience.

Timeless Adventures reveals how Doctor Who is at its strongest when it reflects the political and cultural concerns of a mass British audience (the 1960s, 1970s and 21st Century), and at its weakest when catering to a narrow fan-based audience (as in the 1980s). The book also addresses the cancellation of the show in the late 1980s (following the series becoming increasing self-obsessed) and the ways in which a narrowly-focused dedicated fandom contributed to the show’s demise and yet was also instrumental in its regeneration for the 21st Century under Russell T. Davies, and analyses the new series to reveal what has made it so popular, reflecting real world issues like consumerism and dieting.

Aberdeen have competed on the European stage since season 1967/68 and have enjoyed some epic encounters along the way, culminating in the club’s greatest ever victory – beating Real Madrid 2-1 in the 1983 Cup Winner’s Cup final. Ally Begg charts a path through Aberdeen’s storied history in Europe, vividly brining to life the most interesting, exciting, and unforgettable games by interviewing players from Aberdeen and their rivals and augmenting them with his own richly rendered memories.

Aberdeen European Nights takes the reader on a nostalgic romp around the continent, crossing beyond the Iron Curtain and building a fortress at home at Pittodrie. Humorous, quirky and insightful, it is the perfect book for Aberdeen fans, young and old.

The Isle of Iona, 825. In a bloody, brutal raid, Abbot Blathmac is slain on the steps of his monastery for refusing to give away the location of the sacred relics of St Columba, the missionary who first brought Christianity to Scotland. Following a night of rampage and mayhem, one Viking wakes up the next morning to find himself alone, hungover, and abandoned by his crew mates. He can’t swim, there are no boats, and the only surviving monk on the island has taken his sword. With only his wits, he must survive long enough not only to rejoin his Viking comrades, but also to find the location of the elusive relics that brought him here in the first place.

Rooted in the real history of Iona and its early monks, Columba’s Bones is an utterly unique and thrilling read, exploring the clash of early Christianity and paganism, and expanding into a sharp, witty meditation on philosophy, redemption, shame, violence, love, transcendence and reality.

This is a witch story unlike any other.

Lux has lost everything when Else finds her in the woods. Her family, her lover, her home – all burned. The world is suspicious of women like her. But Lux is cunning; she knows how to blend into the background. And she knows a lot about poisons.

Else needs Lux’s help to destroy the man who wronged her. But on their hunt they will uncover dark secrets that entangle them with dangerous adversaries.

From the snowy winter woods to the bright midnight sun; from lost and powerless to finding your path, Now She is Witch conjures a world where women grasp at power through witchcraft, sexuality and performance, and sometimes by throwing each other to the wolves.

‘A story that will hold you tight and not let go’ Stylist

‘Mesmerising and evocative…There are echoes of everything from the Brothers Grimm to Angela Carter’ Observer

Powerful, imaginative, compelling – myth-making at its best’ Val McDermid

‘An impassioned reclaiming of female desire…absorbingly atmospheric’ Daily Mail

‘Spooky, timeless, feminist, inventive, unsettling’ Viv Groksop

A classic ghost story illustrated by acclaimed cartoonist, Seth.

Retired officer Colonel Mortimer takes a lease on the mansion of Brentwood, the grounds of which share the ruins of an older house, including a strange, vacant doorway, but eerie events begin to unfold and Mortimer’s son falls ill. As the supernatural takes hold, Mortimer resolves to do what he must to save his son even as he ventures further into an increasingly horrifying place.

A classic ghost story illustrated by acclaimed cartoonist, Seth.

The Pole-Star’s voyage comes to a halt after becoming trapped in the arctic ice, threatening the lives of its crew. Superstition soon takes hold as the frightened men claim to hear ghosts in the darkness, but it’s the captain’s increasingly strange behaviour that concerns the doctor most.

Alexander McCall Smith’s 44 Scotland Street series is the world’s longest running serial novel. Readers all over the world delight in his amusing characters and descriptions of the city of Edinburgh.

With The 44 Scotland Street Cookbook fans can now immerse themselves in the world of Edinburgh’s New Town and eat like their favourite characters. Anna Marshall has ransacked the pages (and cupboards!) of 44 Scotland Street to find all the best snacks, treats and dinners enjoyed by its inhabitants.

Step into the world of Edinburgh foodies and enjoy Big Lou’s “Off the Record” Bacon Rolls, Bertie’s much-loved Panforte di Sienna or Angus Lordie’s famous cheese scones.

A legend among mountaineers, Doug Scott’s expeditions, undertaken over a period of four decades, are unparalleled achievements. This book describes the extraordinary drama of them all, from the Himalayas to New Zealand, Patagonia, Yosemite and Alaska. It includes his famous ‘epic’ on The Ogre, one of the hardest peaks in the world to climb, his ascent of Kangchenjunga without supplementary oxygen and his ascent, with Doug Haston, of Everest in 1975.

Catherine Moorehead also uncovers the elusive man behind the obsessive mountaineer. From his rumbustious youth in Nottingham through two tempestuous marriages to a secure third marriage, she shows how Scott matured in thought and action as his formidable global reputation increased. In doing so she reveals him to be a clash of opposites, an infuriating monomaniac who took extraordinary risks yet who developed a deep interest in Buddhism and inspired widespread affection.

Scott spent almost as long as his climbing career in founding and developing Community Action Nepal, providing schools and health posts in remote parts of Nepal, where he is still much revered after his death in 2020. The book also tells how this self-help charity was started, how it survived the Civil War and the devasting 2015 earthquake.

Cruising Scotland makes inspiring and informative reading for anyone considering sailing the area. It provides additional information, points of interest and many photographs and is a fascinating and invaluable addition to the Club”s publications. No yacht cruising the Scottish west coast should be without a copy.

It was first written by the late Journal Editor, Mike Balmforth, in conjunction with the Editor of the Sailing Directions, Edward Mason, who has now prepared this third edition with Imray.

“If the CCC Sailing Directions are the main course of Scottish cruising under sail, this Companion is both the tantalising G&T and the reflective single malt digestif

‘A book for both the boat and the armchair.’ Little Ship Club magazine.

Whether you want to explore London, hike the Scottish Highlands, or marvel at Stonehenge, the local Fodor’s travel experts in Great Britain are here to help! Fodor’s Essential Great Britain guidebook is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time.

Fodor’s “Essential” guides have been named by Booklist as the Best Travel Guide Series of 2020!

Fodor’s Essential Great Britain travel guide includes:

AN ILLUSTRATED ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES GUIDE to the top things to see and do

MULTIPLE ITINERARIES to effectively organize your days and maximize your time

MORE THAN 80 DETAILED MAPS and a FREE PULL-OUT MAP to help you navigate confidently

COLOR PHOTOS throughout to spark your wanderlust!

HONEST RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LOCALS on the best sights, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, shopping, performing arts, activities, and more

PHOTO-FILLED “BEST OF” FEATURES on “Great Britain’s Best Museums”, “Great Britain’s Best Castles”, and more

TRIP-PLANNING TOOLS AND PRACTICAL TIPS including when to go, getting around, beating the crowds, and saving time and money

HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INSIGHTS providing rich context on the local people, politics, art, architecture, cuisine, geography and more

SPECIAL FEATURES on “Golfing in Scotland”, “What to Watch and Read Before You Visit”, and “What to Eat and Drink”

LOCAL WRITERS to help you find the under-the-radar gems

UP-TO-DATE COVERAGE ON: London, Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, the Cotswolds, Liverpool, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Manchester, Stonehenge, York, Cardiff, Snowdonia National Park, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St. Andrews, Loch Ness, the Highlands, Isle of Skye, and more

Looking for more detailed guides on Great Britain? Check out Fodor’s London, Fodor’s Essential England, and Fodor’s Essential Scotland.*Important note for digital editions: The digital edition of this guide does not contain all the images or text included in the physical edition.

ABOUT FODOR’S AUTHORS: Each Fodor’s Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts. Fodor’s has been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years. For more travel inspiration, you can sign up for our travel newsletter at fodors.com/newsletter/signup, or follow us @FodorsTravel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We invite you to join our friendly community of travel experts at fodors.com/community to ask any other questions and share your experience with us!

How far would you go to save yourself when the truth can’t set you free?

Set in the Scottish Lowlands in 1593, told from the point of view of three women from the same family, Burnt Offerings is the story of Besse Duncan, a young mother whose husband is missing, who is accused of witchcraft by the man who attempts to rape her. Destined to lose her daughter, her freedom and her life, this is the story of one woman’s fight for vindication through a patriarchal landscape of torture and persecution while her life hangs in the balance.

Tales for Twilight offers a spine-tingling selection of unnerving tales by writers from James Hogg in the early eighteenth century to James Robertson, very much alive in the twenty-first. Scottish authors have proved to be exceptionally good at writing ghost stories.

Perhaps it’s because of the tradition of oral storytelling that has stretched over centuries, including poems and ballads with supernatural themes. The golden age was during the Victorian and Edwardian period, but the ghost story has continued to evolve and remains popular to this day.Includes stories from Sir Walter Scott, George Mackay Brown, Muriel Spark, Margaret Oliphant, Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Guy Boothby, Algernon Blackwood, Eileen Bigland, Ronald Duncan, James Robertson and Ian Rankin.