Books & Authors

Scottish Culture
Information about Scottish authors and poets and books about Scotland.

A Child's Garden of Verses - Book Review star
A Child’s Garden of Verses is a small poetry collection by Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The poems, written by a parent, have spoken to generations of children, capturing imagination and sending readers to far off lands.

Born in Scotland - Authors star
Scotland has produced internationally recognised authors, many of whom have used their country as a setting for thier novels. The range is vast - from Ian Rankin's Rebus novels which explore the dark side of Edinburgh to Dorothy Dunnett's King Hereafter, a challenging version of Macbeth's story.

Born In Scotland - Poets star
Scotland has a rich heritage of poetry, from Robbie Burns to Carol Ann Duffy, the first female Poet Laureate. This article touches on a few of the poets who have emerged from a culture of story, poetry and song.

Carol Ann Duffy star
Carol Ann Duffy is a poet, playwright, performer, mother. She is Britain's first female poet laureate, a mesmerising performer and advocate for poetry.

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde star
Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was published in 1886 – a book so popular that the term Jekyll and Hyde became a way of describing a person who had sudden mood changes or many facets (not all pleasant) to their character.

Gift Ideas - Scottish History star
There are masses of books about Scottish history, often specifically related to individuals or periods. There are also some excellent books that take in the whole sweep of Scottish history, acknowledging that the oral tradition has helped shape the land.

Heartland by John MacKay Book Review star
Heartland by John MacKay is a deep, beautiful gem of a book about a man's return to his Hebridean island roots.

Iain Banks star
Iain Banks died in June 2013, around three months after gaining a diagnosis of terminal cancer. This prolific author wrote both mainstream and science fiction novels and gained huge followings of loyal fans.

Ian Rankin star
Ian Rankin, author of the highly successful Inspector Rebus novels, roots his writing in Scottish places and culture.

Jim Hewitsons Scottish Miscellany - Book Review star
This book provides a fascinating, varied colleciton of information about Scotland. It is accurate in parts, controversial in others, often extremely funny. A great source of light relief for those who enjoy Scotland.

John Barleycorn - Robert Burns star
John Barleycorn is an ancient tale, brought to life in Robert Burns' poem of the same name, detailing the life and tragic death of a character who warms the blood and spirit of many a Scot...

Kingdom of Shadows - Book Review star
Kingdom of Shadows by Barbara Erskine is a long, page-turning book about a woman who starts to learn about Isobel of Fife, Countess of Buchan, who is said to have crowned Robert the Bruce a second time, making him the only twice-crowned King of Scotland.

Peter Pan - The Boy Who Never Grew Up star
You may have read the book, seen a film, stage play, musical or ballet about Peter Pan. This article explores the book, the author and the legacy Peter Pan has left.

Robert Burns star
Robert Burns – poet, farmer, songwriter, lover - was born in in 1759. His birthday, January 25, is celebrated by Scots the world over as Burns Night. The Burns poem Address To A Haggis is a core feature of Burns Night celebrations.

Robert Louis Stevenson star
Robert Louis Stevenson's father was an engineer who designed lighthouses; his mother's father was a minister. Stevenson always knew that all he wanted to do was write. His books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped and The Strange Case of Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde.

Scottish - English English - Scottish Book Review star
This book is a pocket sized introduction to common Scottish words and terms - a great gift for those interested in Scottish culture.

Sir Walter Scott star
Sir Walter Scott was a prolific author who produced poetry, novels, essays, reviews and translations. A few years before his death the life he had built for hiimself turned to dust in a year when his wife died shortly after he was declared bankrupt.

Stormy Petrel by Mary Stewart - Book Review star
Stormy Petrel (sometimes called The Stormy Petrel in the US) by Mary Stewart tells of a Cambridge academic visiting Moila, a small Hebridean island off the west coast of Scotland, and the adventures that befall her there.

The Eagle of the Ninth - Book Review star
The Eagle of the Ninth, a book published in 1954 by Rosemary Sutcliffe, has been the inspiration for the 2011 film The Eagle starring Channing Tatum. Jamie Bell and Donald Sutherland. This article reviews the book.

The Oldest Girl In The World - Book Review star
The Oldest Girl In The World is a poetry book by the Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy. Though billed as a book for children the book also appeals to adults -the poems are funny, inventive, thoughtful and charmingly illustrated.

The Warrior Trainer - Book Review star
Review of the book The Warrior Trainer - winner of the American Title Contest - by Gerri Russell.

The Writers Museum star
The Writers Museum commemorates the work of three great Scottish writers - Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. The collection includes objects as varied as the printing press the Waverley novels were produced on to a cast of Robert Burns´ skull taken after his death.

You Are What You Eat Cookbook - Book Review star
Gillian McKeith's television series You Are What You Eat challenged people to look at their diet and use her principles of healthy eating to lose weight. Her cookbook includes recipies from smoothies to desserts which are healthy, low fat, low sugar and frequently gluten free.

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