THE BEST OF SCOTTISH BOOKS

The John Muir Way is one of Scotland’s Great Trails. It runs for 134 miles (215 km) coast-to-coast across central Scotland, from Helensburgh on the Clyde to Dunbar on the North Sea. The route is as suitable for cyclists as for walkers, and it can be tackled as a coast-to-coast expedition or in sections – typically ten for walkers or five for cyclists. Our all-new 2023 third edition includes the latest route updates and features improved mapping with mileage markers along the route and a km grid. The mapping is at 1:75,000 and appears on 20 of its pages. The John Muir Way’s appeal ranges from the Charles Rennie Mackintosh architecture of Helensburgh through the scenic grandeur of Loch Lomond, along two famous canals and past the amazing Falkirk Wheel, beside the Roman Antonine Wall, passing Linlithgow Palace, Blackness Castle and the Forth Bridges to the capital glories of Edinburgh. It goes beside the Firth of Forth to reach North Berwick, then heads inland to finish at Dunbar with its ruined castle and the John Muir birthplace.

Warfare between the clans of the Highlands in the late Middle Ages determined the course of history in this region of Scotland, and Chris Peers’s gripping account of it – and of the rivalry between the strongest clans – gives the reader a deep insight into this bloody, turbulent phase in the development of the far north of the British Isles. The battles he describes, all of them fought between the 1430s and the 1540s, were flash points in the long struggle for dominance between the leading clans of the region.The battles are reconstructed in vivid detail. The first, Druim n Coub, was fought in 1433 between the Mackays and the Sutherlands. Then came Bloody Bay, a sea fight between rival MacDonald factions, Blar na Parc between the MacDonalds and the Mackenzies, Creag an Airgid between the MacDonalds and the MacIains, Glendale between the MacDonalds and MacLeods, and Torran Dubh between alliances headed by the Mackays and Sutherlands. The final battle, Blar na Leine, fought between the MacDonalds and the Frasers in 1544, marked the end of an era. The subsequent fate of the leading clans, principally the MacDonalds and Mackays, is also covered in a narrative that gives the reader a fascinating new perspective of clan loyalties and conflict which still resonates today.As well as covering the fighting Chris Peers explains the way war in the Highlands was organized by the contending clans during the period – the strategies and tactics, weapons and armour they employed. The result is an absorbing all-round account of the military history of the Highlands before the clans eventually lost their independence.

The story of a man coming into his own by coming home. Since he was a boy, Bill Eville knew he wanted two things in life: to be a writer and a father. Being a minister’s husband had not been on this list, having left the church as a teenager as soon as his parents stopped making him go each Sunday. In Washed Ashore, Eville’s life changes when his wife Cathlin takes a job as the first female pastor of a 350-year-old church on Martha?s Vineyard, the island that was once home to generations of his ancestors. With their two small children in tow, the couple begins a new life eight miles out at sea. Readers follow Eville’s journey from stay-at-home-dad to newspaper editor as he discovers what it means to be a writer, a father, and – after his wife’s devasting breast cancer diagnosis -what it truly means to be a minister’s husband. Washed Ashore, told in a series of linked essays, is poignant and funny, filled with faith, struggle, and light.

Could you leave behind the bustle of modern life and spend a lifetime immersed in nature? In The Way of the Hermit, Ken Smith recounts a life he has chosen to spend alone with the wilderness. Seventy-four-year-old Ken Smith has spent the past four decades in the Scottish Highlands. He lives alone, with no electricity or running water. His home is a log cabin nestled near Loch Treig, known as ‘the lonely loch’, where he lives off the land: he fishes for his supper, chops his own wood, and even brews his own tipple. He is, in the truest sense of the word, a hermit. For the first time, Ken shares the story of his life. From his working-class origins in Derbyshire, to the formative years he spent travelling in the Yukon and finally how he came to be the Hermit of Loch Treig. Looking back through decades of diary entries, Ken reflects upon the reasons he turned his back on society, the vulnerability of old age and the awe and wonder of a life lived in nature. The Way of the Hermit is a humourous, transcendant and life-affirming memoir.

Could you leave behind the bustle of modern life and spend a lifetime immersed in nature? In The Way of the Hermit, Ken Smith recounts a life he has chosen to spend alone with the wilderness.Seventy-four-year-old Ken Smith has spent the past four decades in the Scottish Highlands. He lives alone, with no electricity or running water. His home is a log cabin nestled near Loch Treig, known as ‘the lonely loch’, where he lives off the land: he fishes for his supper, chops his own wood, and even brews his own tipple. He is, in the truest sense of the word, a hermit.For the first time, Ken shares the story of his life. From his working-class origins in Derbyshire, to the formative years he spent travelling in the Yukon and finally how he came to be the Hermit of Loch Treig. Looking back through decades of diary entries, Ken reflects upon the reasons he turned his back on society, the vulnerability of old age and the awe and wonder of a life lived in nature. The Way of the Hermit is a humourous, transcendant and life-affirming memoir.

Could you leave behind the bustle of modern life and spend a lifetime immersed in nature? In The Way of the Hermit, Ken Smith recounts a life he has chosen to spend alone with the wilderness.Seventy-four-year-old Ken Smith has spent the past four decades in the Scottish Highlands. He lives alone, with no electricity or running water. His home is a log cabin nestled near Loch Treig, known as ‘the lonely loch’, where he lives off the land: he fishes for his supper, chops his own wood, and even brews his own tipple. He is, in the truest sense of the word, a hermit.For the first time, Ken shares the story of his life. From his working-class origins in Derbyshire, to the formative years he spent travelling in the Yukon and finally how he came to be the Hermit of Loch Treig. Looking back through decades of diary entries, Ken reflects upon the reasons he turned his back on society, the vulnerability of old age and the awe and wonder of a life lived in nature. The Way of the Hermit is a humourous, transcendant and life-affirming memoir.

The American military presence in Scotland during the Cold War was greater than in either of the World Wars, bringing with it the largest peace-time number of foreign military personnel in Scotland’s history. This military power was delivered by individuals – the forgotten heroes. They worked to high standards of professionalism and most had no true concept of the danger they faced from the Soviet threat. This reality was only ever confronted during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. The author, a former Cold War special forces officer, brings his personal expertise into play, examining this intriguing story by reaching out to more than one hundred veterans and expert witnesses. Their contributions cover the nitty-gritty end of history, not high-end diplomacy. This fast-moving account of their endeavours, often in long working conditions, highlights the value of teamwork, training and determination. It is clear that Scotland would have been a Soviet target of necessity once the American bases were established. Scotland was of great importance to the United States during the Cold War and this research shows that, for more than thirty years, Scotland was the capstone in Washington’s early Cold War strategy. Scotland was an active centre of US strategic operations and the vital importance of its geographic position is clearly demonstrated as each location is examined, and its benefits listed. There were six significant bases, the most important being America’s only nuclear-armed submarine squadron in the Holy Loch. He details the operations which were carried out by the large radio spy stations (SIGINT) at Kirknewton, Thurso and Edzell. And he reveals for the first time America’s most bizarre intelligence gathering activity of the early Cold War, which also took place in Scotland. Overall, this book provides an important addition to the conventional US/UK Cold War narrative. The United States desperately needed the assistance Scotland provided and the author presents a convincing narrative that Scotland was at the epicentre of the Cold War’s most terrifying episode – the Cuban Missile Crisis. Kennedy’s success was greatly assisted by these Scottish bases which provided him with the firepower and intelligence to outwit Khrushchev. One section of the book deals with the visit of JFK?s top advisor to Holy Loch – a story that has never been revealed before. It emphasises the simple fact that Scotland’s role was a game changer. An interesting theme throughout the book is the espionage effort mounted by the KGB against these bases. The author has interviewed senior intelligence officers and their input is revealing. These were exciting times for the young Americans who crossed the ocean to serve their country and this is their Cold War story.

Architecture takes many forms. At one extreme, these forms may be seen as an international exchange, while at the other they can be viewed as distinctly national. In Mousa to Mackintosh, Frank Arneil Walker examines the recognisable and recurring features evident in Scotland’s structures across the centuries. This chronological history presents a broad view of architecture in Scotland, from brochs and country houses to castles and New Towns. Walker considers the influences and connections between them to ask: what is the “Scottishness” of Scottish architecture?

Amid the heat of Brazil, explosives expert Jaq Silver has one goal: vengeance. When her enemies take what she treasures most, she will do anything to make them pay. But a series of betrayals leave Jaq unsure of those she can trust, and she realises she’ll need to complete the mission solo. And as everyone hunts down the same mysterious box, Jaq becomes increasingly embroiled in a web of far-reaching consequences. It seems there’s a hidden agenda, but can Jaq be sure she is chasing down the right target? And who is pursuing her?

Amid the heat of Brazil, explosives expert Jaq Silver has one goal ? vengeance. When her enemies take what she treasures most, she will do anything to make them pay. But a series of betrayals leave Jaq unsure of those she can trust, and she realises she?ll need to complete the mission solo. And as everyone hunts down the same mysterious box, Jaq becomes increasingly embroiled in a web of far-reaching consequences. It seems there?s a hidden agenda, but can Jaq be sure she is chasing down the right target? And who is pursuing her?

AN INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

‘A rewarding mix of markers, both personal as Heughan reflects on his life and geographical as he leads the reader along the West Highland Way’ – The Scotsman

‘A deeply personal and warmly entertaining memoir that fans of Sam – and Scotland – will have a joyful time devouring’ – Heat

‘From both his walk and his career, the common lesson is the power of persistence.’ – The Times

‘A pleasure for fans of the author, whisky, and Scotland.’ – Kirkus

‘Waypoints is a memoir with a difference! I wanted to tell the stories and share the experiences that have shaped me, but to do that I needed to challenge myself and spend some time in my own company, away from the distractions of everyday life. And for me there’s no better place to reflect than in the wild Scottish Highlands.’

In this journey of self-discovery, Sam Heughan sets out along the West Highland Way to explore his heritage and reflect on the personal waypoints that define him. The result is a love letter to the wild Scottish landscape that means so much to Sam, and a charming, funny, wise and searching insight to the world through his eyes.The walk itself is the backdrop for this narrative, which tells the story of Sam’s life while exploring his outlook, values and interests. Sam is a figure of fascinating contrasts, a Hollywood star with deep roots in rural Scotland, he’s both outgoing and content in his own company. He has strong connections with his fans while recognising the fragility and value of anonymity, and in My Peak Challenge he has created a network that brings people together as they chase individual goals. In his new book, while charting a path through a stunning wilderness, Sam maps out the moments that shaped his views on dreams and ambition, family, friendships, love and life.Waypoints is a deeply personal journey that reveals as much to Sam about himself as it does to his readers.

‘Authentic social history at the birth of the NHS, an intriguing murder, a strong and convincing central character, and McPherson’s wonderful story-telling skills make this a very classy mystery’ ANN CLEEVES

Helen leaned close enough to fog the mirror with her breath and whispered, ‘You, my girl, are a qualified medical almoner and at eight o’clock tomorrow morning you will be on the front line of the National Health Service of Scotland.’ Her eyes looked huge and scared. ‘So take a shake to yourself!”

Edinburgh, 1948. Helen Crowther leaves a crowded tenement home for her very own office in a doctor’s surgery. Upstart, ungrateful, out of your depth – the words of disapproval come at her from everywhere but she’s determined to take her chance and play her part.She’s barely begun when she stumbles over a murder and learns that, in this most respectable of cities, no one will fight for justice at the risk of scandal. As Helen resolves to find a killer, she’s propelled into a darker world than she knew existed, hardscrabble as her own can be. Disapproval is the least of her worries now. IN PLACE OF FEAR is a gripping new historical crime novel that is both enthralling and entertaining, and perfect for fans of AJ Pearce and Nicola Upson.

Readers love IN PLACE OF FEAR:

‘What a wonderful book this is!”I loved [it] … Helen is another cracker of a heroine from McPherson and I hope to read much more of her story in future’

‘Historical crime from a talented pen. Intriguing and compelling in equal measure’

‘An excellent read’

Richard Hannay is the star of John Buchan’s original spy thriller, The Thirty-Nine Steps. Spanning five novels and crossing paths with many of Buchan’s other characters, Hannay has stood the test of time. Towards the end of John Buchan’s last novel Sick Heart River, Edward Leithen reflects that, with the outbreak of a second world war, all his companions of old will be called to action once more. In Robert J. Harris’s critically acclaimed tributes The Thirty-One Kings and Castle Macnab, the tales of their adventures is finally told. From evading German spies on the street of wartime Paris to the rescuing an unlikely prisoner among the castles of the Scottish Highlands, Richard Hannay returns with a bang in these exciting, page-turning adventures. A perfect fit for both existing fans of John Buchan and first-time readers.

Titles included in this eBook bundle are: The Thirty-One Kings; Castle Macnab

1579, St Andrews. When Hew Cullan, a young lawyer, returns home after studying in Paris, he arrives to find a close friend accused of murdering a thirteen-year-old boy. For the first time, Hew finds himself plunged headlong into a Pandora’s box of lies and deception, starting his journey as a reluctant mystery solver. From the chilling austerity of university life to the shores of Flanders and the court of King James, Hew must unravel the subterfuge and murder that pervades sixteenth-century Scotland. This bestselling series is a must-read for fans of thrilling historical fiction, expertly researched and utterly enthralling.

Titles included in this bundle are: Hue & Cry; Fate & Fortune; Time & Tide; Friend & Foe

Uncover the story of Scotland with Alistair Moffat’s history collection. From the Ice Age to the modern day, this bundle leaves no stone unturned. Journey through the long-lost kingdoms of Roman times and the Dark Ages, uncover the bloodshed wrought by the Border Reivers for two centuries, track down the true King Arthur, and learn the true story of how Scotland became the nation it is today.

‘Moffat plunders the facts and fables to create a richly-detailed and comprehensive analysis of a nation’s past’ – Scots Magazine

Titles included in this bundle are: The Faded Map; Arthur and the Lost Kingdoms; The Reivers; Scotland: A History From Earliest Times

Sherlock Holmes returns in these tributes to the classic 1940s Universal Pictures Sherlock Holmes film series starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. When unspeakable and unexplainable crimes strike the streets of wartime London, in desperation Scotland Yard turn to Sherlock Holmes, the world’s greatest detective. From a serial killer emulating the murders of Jack the Ripper, to the spontaneous combustion of high-profile figures in science and the military, only Sherlock Holmes and the redoubtable Dr Watson can uncover the culprits. For fans of The Golden Age of Detective Fiction and Sherlock Holmes mysteries.

‘Harris’s take on the iconic characters is outstanding’ – Bruce Tierney, BookPage (US)

Titles included in this eBook bundle are: A Study in Crimson; The Devil’s Blaze

Snap up a pair of Isla Dewar’s feel-good novels in this exclusive bundle from Polygon. First, delve into a feel-good summer reading mystery with It Takes One to Know One, where Charlie Gavin, abducted as a baby, joins the Be Kindly Missing Persons Bureau to help lost souls like himself. Then indulge in the lifelong friendship of Anna and George in A Day Like Any Other, a novel that shows it’s never too late to find yourself, packed with humour, insight, depth and honesty.

‘A realist, observant and needle-sharp, Isla Dewar can be very funny’ – The Times

Titles included in this bundle are: It Takes One to Know One; A Day Like Any Other

Introducing Alice Rice, Edinburgh detective. Smart and capable, but battling disillusionment and loneliness, she must solve a string of brutal murders, set against the well-to-do background of Edinburgh’s New Town. Thrilling, chilling, and packed with author Gillian Galbraith’s own experience as an advocate to give a realistic portrayal of the medical and legal worlds that Alice Rice must navigate, this series is not to be missed.

‘There is not a dull page from start to finish’ – Alexander McCall Smith

Titles included in this eBook bundle are: Blood in the Water; Where the Shadow Falls; Dying of the Light; No Sorrow to Die

Spanning three different cities across the United States, Stuart Cosgrove’s bestselling Soul Trilogy blends history, culture and music to paint a vivid picture of social change through the last years of the 1960s. Strap in for a journey through urban riots, escalating war in Vietnam, police corruption, the assassination of Martin Luther King, the rise of musical pioneers such as Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, the arrest of the Black Panther members and their controversial trials, and much, much more. Award-winning and critically acclaimed, these are books that no soul music enthusiast should be without.

‘Cosgrove’s lucid, entertaining prose is laden with detail, but never at the expense of the wider narrative’ – Clash Magazine

Titles included in this bundle are: Detroit 67; Memphis 68; Harlem 69

The Thirty-Nine Steps is the original spy thriller, and the inspiration for countless books, films and games. Buchan’s most popular novel is the first to feature adventurer Richard Hannay. Here you can get all five of Richard Hannay’s continent-spanning adventures, from the Scottish Highlands to the Western front of the First World War. Polygon’s editions of John Buchan’s novels are the only publications which are authorised and endorsed by the John Buchan estate. Each one comes with a specially commissioned introduction by renowned writers.

Titles included in this bundle are: The Thirty-Nine Steps; Greenmantle; Mr Standfast; The Three Hostages; The Island of Sheep