THE BEST OF SCOTTISH BOOKS

Murder – the most appalling crime of all. It comes in many guises and is diverse as the victims and perpetrators themselves. But no matter how horrifying, it fascinates as much as it repels.In this updated edition of THE LAW KILLERS, journalist Alexander McGregor examines some of the country’s most chilling cases and peels back the civilised layers of our society to reveal some of the horrors that lie beneath, including:The Templeton Wood Murders – Was the same serial killer responsible and is he at last identified?Little Boy Blue – The schoolboy with a continuing compulsion to kill.Forgive Me Father – A trail of slaughter that spread to two countries?Anything You Can Do – The country’s most notorious father and son who killed again and again.To Love, Honour . . . and Kill – The double wife-killer who thought he had committed the perfect murder…and nearly had.’Alexander McGregor is the safest pair of hands in Scottish true crime . . . accurate, detailed and written with rare sensitivity – for good reason, The Law Killers was a bestseller’Emeritus Professor David Wilson, leading UK criminologist and presenter of In the Footsteps of Killers and Crime Files

Enter the wonderful world of whisky casks to learn about a unique investment opportunity.We are in the grip of the greatest period of uncertainty since the 2008 financial crash. Volatility is rocking global financial markets, and inflation is back with a vengeance. Investors are seeking capital preservation and stable returns. Whisky casks can provide both.Two unique attributes make whisky casks different from the other safe-haven assets. Whisky casks automatically appreciate in value as time passes because the spirit within them becomes more precious as it matures – and you can curate your own whisky cask to maximise your returns. Add to that supply constraints, deep heritage and a booming market that has been unaffected by Covid-19 and geopolitical tensions, and you have an uncorrelated investment that can offer stable annual returns of 10-12% and a hedge against rising inflation.This book tells you everything you need to know to start investing in whisky casks. It uncovers the history of whisky cask investment and explains how to choose and curate your cask, highlighting the factors to consider when creating a portfolio of casks.With cask prices starting at around GBP1,500, whisky cask investment is open to almost everyone. It provides an enjoyable way to diversify your investment portfolio in uncertain times with the promise of outstanding returns. Unlock the door to a new investment that could revolutionise your personal finances – with a few tasty drams along the way.

Make your own 3D decorations with this brilliant board book of press-out chinese zodiac animals from the British Museum!From tigers to monkeys and horses to dragons, this book features 25 unique, intricately foiled designs that can be slotted together to create 3D ornaments, hung up or threaded together to make an amazing garland. Each page is covered in shiny red foil, with foiled pieces which can be pressed out and coloured in to make a fun collection of personalised animals.Other titles in this fantastic series include:Birds, Easter Eggs, Butterflies, Unicorns, Christmas Decorations, Halloween, Flamingos, Llamas and Other Cool Things, Narwhals and Mermaids, Ancient Egypt, Dinosaurs, and Fantastic Creatures.

Inspector Alan Grant of Scotland Yard is laid up in hospital with a broken leg. The novels he tries reading to pass the time all bore him, until a real-life mystery awakens his curiosity and soon turns into an obsession.Studying a portrait of the notorious Richard III he finds himself wondering whether such a man could really have been the ogre of legend, who murdered his own nephews in his greed for power. Enlisting the help of an American scholar, Inspector Grant is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery of the Princes in the Tower once and for all.

Bertie is NOT looking forward to spending the summer holidays on stinky Long Bottom Farm. But things take an interesting turn when he encounters Nugget, the alien chicken. Nugget’s mission is to find the Earth’s most important resource and transport it back to Nurgle 7, and he needs Bertie’s help. But what could the Earth’s most valuable resource be, and can they find it in time to stop the Nurgles exterminating the Earth?!A hilarious and heartfelt tale from Lollie-award-winning author Jenny Pearson.

Bertie is NOT looking forward to spending the summer holidays on stinky Long Bottom Farm. But things take an interesting turn when he encounters Nugget, the alien chicken. Nugget’s mission is to find the Earth’s most important resource and transport it back to Nurgle 7, and he needs Bertie’s help. But what could the Earth’s most valuable resource be, and can they find it in time to stop the Nurgles exterminating the Earth?!A hilarious and heartfelt tale from Lollie-award-winning author Jenny Pearson.

The collected radio adaptations of Alexander McCall Smith’s hugely popular novels, dramatised by the author himself’Must-listen… simply wonderful’ The TelegraphWhen Precious Ramotswe receives an inheritance from her father, she decides to set up Botswana’s very first private detective agency – ‘for the problems of ladies, and others’. Aided by the loyal, resourceful Grace Makutsi, and multiple cups of red bush tea, she sets out to investigate cases including missing husbands, wayward wives, unscrupulous con artists and unexpected deaths.She may not be an old-school investigator like her idol, Clovis Andersen, but her warm heart, empathetic nature and common-sense approach enable her to solve the most curious of mysteries – and win the heart of gentle motor mechanic Mr JLB Matekoni…Included here are all 35 stories from the acclaimed BBC radio series, written and adapted by Alexander McCall Smith from his own internationally bestselling books. These charming dramatisations are brought to life with vibrant, evocative African music and a first-rate cast, including Claire Benedict and Janice Acquah as Mma Ramotswe, Nadine Marshall as Mma Makutsi and Joseph Marcell and Ben Onwukwe as Mr JLB Matekoni.Written and dramatised by Alexander McCall SmithProduced and directed by Gaynor MacFarlane, Kirsty Williams and Eilidh McCreadieCastMma Ramotswe – Claire Benedict/Janice AcquahMma Makutsi – Nadine MarshallMr JLB Matekoni – Joseph Marcell/Ben OnwukweMr Polopetsi – Paterson Joseph/Steve ToussaintMma Potokwani – Janice Acquah/Adjoa Andoh/Sarah NilesPhuti Radiphuti – Nyasha Hatendi/Jude AkuwidikeViolet Sephotho – Anna Bengo/Sarah NilesCharlie – Jude Akuwudike/Tyronne Lewis/Maynard EziashiFanwell – Beru Tessema/Kedar Williams-StirlingWith Gbemisola Ikumelo, Bhasker Patel, Ben Thomas, Peter Gevisser, Heather Imani, Tehmina Sacranie, Nancy Crane, Noma Dumezweni, Chuk Iwuji, Alibe Parsons, Emmanuel Ighodaro, Willie Jonah, William Gaminara, Aicha Kossoko, Don Warrington, Danny Sapani, Ndidi Ama, Ayesha Antoine, Sam Dale, Naomi Taylor, Mo Sesay, Babou Ceesay, Obi Abili, Eleanor Crooks, Kulvinder Ghir, Sudha Bhuchar, Amaka Okafor, Kai Francis-Lewis, Jason Barnett, Clare Perkins, Barbara Barnes, Saffron Coomber, Lorna Gayle, Debbie KorlayFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 10 September 2004-23 September 2019Episode list:The DaddyThe BoneThe MaidTears of the GiraffeThe Chief Justice of BeautyThe ConfessionThe Kalahari Typing School for MenThe AdmirerHow to Handle Men through the Application of PsychologyHouse of HopeThe Return of NoteThe CeremonyThere Is No Such Thing as Free FoodThe Best Profession for a BlackmailerA Very Rude WomanTalking ShoesThe Miracle at Speedy MotorsTea Time for the Traditionally BuiltThe Seller of BedsAn Exceptionally Wicked LadyCanoeing for LadiesA Late Van Just GlimpsedThe Saturday Big Tent WeddingA Man from a Far PlaceThe Limpopo Academy of Private DetectionThe Modern Husband CourseThe Minor Adjustment Beauty SalonThe Handsome Man’s Deluxe CafeThe Dish of YesterdayThis Is Not A Rubbish BoyThe Woman Who Walked In SunshineThe Fat Cattle ClubPrecious and GraceHouse of Unexpected SistersThe Colours of All the Cattle(c) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The fascinating true story of the inspiring writer Arthur Conan Doyle, and how he created the world’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, is brought to life for children by multi-award winning author Linda Bailey.How is a writer made? How is a legend created? After a troubled childhood, Arthur’s only comfort is using his extraordinary imagination to write fantastic stories. He creates Sherlock Holmes, a genius detective. At first his stories are rejected, but Arthur is persistent and eventually the public take notice. It isn’t long until Sherlock Holmes makes Arthur one of the most famous authors in the world – but what happens when Arthur tries to kill off his hero?

It’s April in Antarctica and, in places so remote that they can only be seen by satellites, lines of Emperor Penguins appear in search of the perfect ice for raising their chicks. A wise old Empress has returned to the ice at Halley Bay year after year; with the help of her mate, she works to protect her newly-laid egg against the bitter winter. But a changing climate is making the Antarctic Ocean warmer – winds are stronger and storms are fiercer…With luminous illustrations and an introduction by climate scientist Dr Phil Trathan, this is the true story of how the Emperor penguin colony at Halley Bay was disrupted after the sea ice collapsed, and how it’s necessary to protect the environment so that these extraordinary survivors will continue to be found in the Antarctic for generations to come.”Nicola Davies is one of the best children’s writers in the business.” Huffington Post

Beautiful, enchanting and wild – windswept moors, shimmering lochs and mysterious glens have imbued Sotland with a rugged and untamed romanticism, while its thriving performing arts scene, cosmopolitan cities and rich literary heritage have enshrined Scotland with a captivating cultural legacy. Your DK Eyewitness Top 10 travel guide ensures you’ll find your way around Scotland with absolute ease.Our newly updated Top 10 travel guide breaks down the best of Scotland into helpful lists of ten – from our own selected highlights to the best castles, Lochs, places to eat, shops and, of course, places to sample a ‘wee dram’ of Whiskey.You’ll discover:- Eleven easy-to-follow itineraries, perfect for a day-trip, a weekend, or a week- Detailed Top 10 lists of Scotland’s must-sees, including detailed descriptions of Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish National Gallery, the National Museum of Scotland, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Riverside Museum, the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness and the Great Glen, Glencoe, Culzean Castle and the Cairngorms- Scotland’s most interesting areas, with the best places for shopping, dining, and sightseeing-Inspiration for different things to enjoy during your trip – including children’s attractions, things to do for free and Scotland’s best kept secrets- A laminated pull-out map of Scotland, plus nine color area maps- Streetsmart advice: get ready, get around, and stay safe- A lightweight format perfect for your pocket or bag when you’re on the moveDK Eyewitness Top 10s have been helping travelers to make the most of their breaks since 2002.Looking for more on Scotland’s culture, history and attractions? Try our DK Eyewitness Scotland or DK Eyewitness Great Britain.

Across 110th Street is a hard-boiled action thriller set in the mean streets of Harlem in the last days of the 1960s. Heroin has a grip on uptown New York and war is breaking out between the law, big-time racketeers and ghetto factions. The book begins with a multiple murder during a mafia payroll hijacking and never lets up in pace.The novel enjoyed brief fame, later becoming a holy grail item for collectors tracking down rare records and cultural memorabilia. An underground classic that changed hands for over GBP100, this smart new edition rescues Across 110th Street from obscurity.

From the author of the bestselling No Matter What comes an epic tale of bravery and Viking adventure.Wilma belongs to a family of fearsome Viking warriors. She has BIG plans. She wants to sail the seven seas, slay the Monster of the Deep . . . and still be home in time to read a bedtime saga.Her older brothers all laugh. ‘You’re just a GIRL,’ they say. ‘Real adventures are for boys.’ But when Wilma’s baby brother Harald escapes to sea on a Viking longboat, it’s up to her to rescue him – and prove that adventures are for EVERYONE!Heart-warming, inspiring and wonderfully feminist, Wilma’s story shows that strength and courage belong to ALL of us.’The literary equivalent of a big hug’ – The Times on NO MATTER WHAT’An instant childhood classic’ – Independent on Sunday on NO MATTER WHAT’Simply delightful, utterly heart-warming and brimful of hope’ – Library Mice on DRAGON LOVES PENGUIN

Edinburgh has a fascinating ‘Underground City’, much of which is open to the public. It is made up of many different aspects, with a turbulent and intriguing past stretching back hundreds of years. Features include hidden passages and cellars, ancient buried streets like Marlyn’s Wynd and Mary King’s Close (sealed after an outbreak of plague), castle dungeons and escape tunnels, a warren of vaults and chambers under Edinburgh’s mighty bridges, abandoned or repurposed rail tunnels, and anomalies like the strange subterranean dwelling of Gilmerton Cove.Award-winning author and historian Jan-Andrew Henderson explores the legendary world beneath the streets and locations of Edinburgh in this pictorial guide.

In the early 1980s, Ravenscraig steel works was the biggest source of rail freight north of the border, handling iron ore, coal, lime and scrap, as well as semi-finished and finished products. Opencast coal was thriving and would even lead to some lines re-opening later in the decade. Wagonload freight was still providing a service on some rural lines, not least the Far North line where many intermediate stations still handled general freight, such as seed potatoes and fertiliser. Today, Ravenscraig is a distant memory and coal is no longer carried by rail anywhere in Scotland. Wagonload freight has also disappeared, despite some attempts to revive the concept in the early 2000s. However, in a few areas, rail freight has done well. The cement works at Oxwellmains is a big user of rail and Grangemouth refinery still produces three trainload flows. Intermodal traffic has grown substantially, with several regular Anglo-Scottish flows on the West and East Coast main lines as well as internal movements to Aberdeen and Inverness.Illustrated with over 160 photographs, many of which are previously unpublished, this volume looks at the changing face of rail freight in Scotland. It details the changes in traction, rolling stock and railway infrastructure over four decades.

The West Coast Main Line and the line from Kilmarnock south to Gretna were both built to ensure that passenger services from Scotland would connect to towns and cities in England and, more importantly, that it would open up markets for both manufactured goods and mineral traffic, principally coal, which at that time was required in vast quantities for both industrial and domestic use. The line south from Glasgow to Stranraer was to provide a connection with the ferries for both goods and passengers to and from Ireland. Lines to multiple destinations on the Clyde Coast connected with ferries to various islands for an ever-increasing volume of commuter traffic. The various changes to motive power, liveries and services over the last 30 years are reflected in the illustrations, which also record the demise of the once huge volume of coal traffic. South of Edinburgh, there is a look at the Borders Railway, which, when it was opened in 2015, was the longest line to be reopened within the UK. With over 170 colour photographs, this book takes the reader on a journey throughout the south and west of Scotland.

_______________A charming audio collection about the loveable Little Owl and his adventures, from the bestselling author and illustrator pairing of Debi Gliori and Alison BrownFollow Little Owl as he explores new experiences and faces childhood fears under the careful guidance of his mummy. Together, they make bathtime and bedtime fun, make a new friend and go to school for the very first time.Little Owl may be nervous but it doesn’t stop him from overcoming new challenges and having fun along the way.A delightful and reassuring series brilliantly read by Sarah Ovens, the Little Owl books are perfect for introducing little ones to the joys of new experiences.This collection contains:- Little Owl’s First Day- Little Owl’s Bedtime- Little Owl’s Bathtime- Little Owl’s New Friend_______________’Beautifully illustrated by Alison Brown, this is a charming book for keeps’ – Irish Examiner on LITTLE OWL’S EGG

Illustrated with 180 photographs, this book looks at the much-loved West Highland line, which runs from Glasgow to Fort William, along with the Mallaig Extension from Fort William to Mallaig and the Oban line divergence at Crianlarich. The variety of transport covered includes scheduled services, railtours, seasonal steam and the recently introduced Highland Explorer Class 153s, which have been specially rebuilt at Kilmarnock to cater for cyclists and passengers with bulky luggage.

Written by practitioners for practitioners, this definitive handbook covers all of the main aspects of costs and funding issues encountered in the Scottish Civil Courts. It covers the routes to funding, when expenses may be sought, the court’s powers in awarding expenses and provides detail on issues including Success Fee Agreements, Qualified One Way Cost Shifting, Pre-Action Protocols, Pursuers’ Offers and Tenders, party Litigants, Amendment, Abandonment, Caution and Simple Procedure. It brings together all of the key legislation, court rules and judgments to provide a user-friendly and quick-reference guide to expenses law and practice.

Washed by the surging waves of the Atlantic Ocean, the island chain of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides lies at the very edge of Europe. From white shell sands, peaty moors and gnarly mountains to heather hills, sea-green lochs and mysterious ancient monuments, these are places of unrivalled beauty.This book is a fabulous invitation to discover the unique magic of Lewis and Harris, Berneray, North Uist, Grimsay, Benbecula, South Uist, Eriskay, Bara and Vatersay, as well as the vibrant Gaelic culture of the islanders. Packed with fascinating insights, hidden gems and helpful information, it offers the uplifting opportunity for meaningful travels and life-affirming experiences in these extraordinary islands.

The Picts have fascinated for centuries. They emerged c. ad 300 to defy the might of the Roman empire only to disappear at the end of the first millennium ad, yet they left major legacies. They laid the foundations for the medieval Scottish kingdom and their captivating carved stones are some of the most eye-catching yet enigmatic monuments in Europe. Until recently the Picts have been difficult to trace due to limited archaeological investigation and documentary sources, but innovative new research has produced critical new insights into the culture of a highly sophisticated society which defied the might of the Roman Empire and forged a powerful realm dominating much of northern Britain.This is the first dedicated book on the Picts that covers in detail both their archaeology and their history. It examines their kingdoms, culture, beliefs and everyday lives from their origins to their end, not only incorporating current thinking on the subject, but also offering innovative perspectives that transform our understanding of the early history of Scotland.