Top 10 Books From Scotland

March 2006

1. Cut-Throat
2. Donald Dewar
3. McCrae's Battalion
4. The Scotch Whisky Directory
5. 100 Countryside Walks in Edinburgh
6. The Highland High Way
7. The Literary Traveller in Edinburgh
8. Scottish Exodus
9. Jim Telfer
10. Alive and Kicking

'CUT-THROAT written by McLean's nephew, Wayne Thallon, uses the crime boss's own diaries and documents to detail his life as an informer' - The Times

'The manner of his death is a story in itself, shrouded in secrecy and stinking of shady goings-on by dark forces. But he comes alive in this fascinating book, based on his own material. It traces his journey to an early grave via the Congo as a Dog of War, Newcastle where he carried out armed blags and on to all point of the compass flogging guns and drugs and generally being as bad as you can get. Far-from-likeable rogue McLean packed an amazing amount into his life' - Lads Mag


'A lovely book about a lovely, thrawn, kenspeckle, unusual and much-missed man' - Andrew Marr

'Wendy Alexander has gathered a marvellous and eclectic team of (unpaid) contributors to produce a really splendid book about Donald Dewar, a book that constantly manages to be both warm and realistic' - The Herald

'This little book is testimony to the affection and regard in which he was held...The collection of essays here makes me regret that I didn't know him better' - The Spectator


'What Jack Alexander gives us is an intriguing and often moving history...Alexander's book is full of absorbing stories. He claims that it was 16 years in the writing and I believe him. Judging by the footnotes, appendices, bibliographies and acknowledgements his research was extraordinary' - Sunday Herald

'this book is of wider interest than just to Hearts fans or students of Edinburgh's history. Anyone who wants to see how a team of footballers can translate that familiar sporting cliche of "taking the fight to the opposition" into reality should read it. This is, quite simply, the best football-related book of the year' - The Times


'THE SCOTCH WHISKY DIRECTORY has a simple aim - to provide imformation about Scotch whiskies. Not general information, mind, but particular details on those to be found in bars and off-licences...his purpose is to offer a guide to how they taste and to develop your palate...The directory is a joy to peruse, although no substitute for practical fieldwork' - Daily Mail

'The directory is not only a gentle meander through the whisky-producing regions of Scotland, it also gives a simple-to-understand tasting guide and a unique 'flavour profile' to help you choose your perfect dram. Slainthe!' - Glasgow Evening Times


Covering one hundred routes, this is the most comprehensive guide to walking south-east Scotland. It contains routes suitable for every ability and covers varied terrain, from hills and open farmland to forests and wooded glens. Each walk is fully described and is accompanied by a sketch map.

 

THE HIGHLAND HIGH WAY is a magnificent high-level route through some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery and across its finest hills. Running for 105 miles from Loch Lomond to Fort William, the route includes Black Mount, one of the greatest hill walks in the country; an exhilarating ridge walk along the Aonah Eagach; and a Munro extravaganza in the Mamores. . In addition, four further excursions are suggested along the way, including Scotland's most spectacular hill, Buachaille Etive Mor - a real Munro-bagger's delight.

'The best travel book has to be, no, not some guide to far-off Shangri-Las but right here at home. Allan Foster's [book] is a comprehensive sightseeing guide to the first World City of Literature. Beat that' - Sunday Herald

'A sparky guide to celebrate Edinburgh's elevation to the world's first city of literature. Among the nuggets of gossip, opening hours and further reading is the eclectic: individual histories of bookshops; laments for Milne's Bar, the poet's pub, ruined by refurbishment; streets where the famous and the fictional lived; well-rehearsed history and good gardens to read in. The best bit is the collection of quotes about the city..."Enchanting. It will make a delightful summer capital when we invade Britain" (Joseph Goebbels)' - Sunday Herald

'...quite the best literary guide to this most literary of cities in many a long day' - Scottish Daily Mail


'Whatever your surname or origins, SCOTTISH EXODUS is a compelling, thoughtful, witty and beautifully written book. It is Hunter's best for at least a decade' - The Scotsman

'Endlessly fascinating stuff...Hunter is at his best when describing the powerful forces in Scotland - hard-times, poor land, high rents, rapacious landlords, two-faced clan chiefs, the prospect of better lives' - Sunday Herald

'SCOTTISH EXODUS should not simply be of historical interest but also provide an insight into the attitudes of the diaspora towards the homeland in the early years of the new millennium...It is clearly and attractively written. Moreover, some of the emigrant stories are genuinely fascinating' - Scottish Review Of Books

'The title comes from Telfer's oft-voiced insistence that it is futile to dwell on the past - here he does so both entertainingly and informatively, particularly when analysing Scotland's troubled attempt to adapt to the changed circumstances brought about when the game turned professional. It all adds up to "the best rugby autobiography I have ever read" - The Scotsman

'At last, Jim Telfer does something to keep everyone happy...while polarising opinion is his forte, this autobiography should provoke consensus' - Sunday Times



'It is a remarkable story told here in this warts and all autobiography' - The Herald

 

 

 

 

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