ah, bonnieescotland. the mere sound of the word is enough to make you daydream of big skies and rugged highlands; the cobblestone streets of its ancient cities and legendary castles; gazing at windswept shorelines and paradise islands dotted with purple heather, sipping adram of the finest single malt whisky.
You may not know when you’ll be able to step foot on one of our snow-white beaches or step into a whiskey distillery again. But you can still escape to Scotland with the help of a good book.
You are reading: Best books about scotland
Scottish-inspired literature, both fictional and factual, has long drawn visitors to our shores. Take time to lose yourself between the pages of these extraordinary stories set in Scotland, and imagine a time when you, too, will be free to travel through this endlessly enchanting country, collecting your own stories along the way.
We’ve rounded up some fantastic Scottish books you can read to pass the time, ranging from evocative travelogues to best-selling thrillers and much-loved classics. read on and enjoy!
find out more about the year of scotland stories 2022.
the outlander series, diana gabaldon
surprisingly, americanacademicgabaldon had never visited scotland before writing the first installment of his romantic chronicles set in scottish jacobite era. Having captured the imagination of millions of readers, the Outlander series is a literary phenomenon that has inspired countless visits to Scotland. Now a hit TV series, go back to the pages where it all began and be swept away in this time-traveling saga of a 1940s nurse and her love affair with a handsome 18th-century mountain man.
Find out more about the Jacobiterings who inspired the novels and appear on the show.
the easton press, dianagabaldon.com
do you love this? try kidnapped by robert louis stevenson which follows the adventures of david balfour in search of him to recover the family inheritance of him in the wake of the Jacobite Rising of 1745.
love of country: a hebridean journey, cupcake bunting
lewis, iona, santa kilda; For many, the names of these Hebridean islands are shrouded in mystery and legend. Madeleine Bunting shows what life is really like on some of the most remote of the British Isles. Capturing the captivating allure of the islands that have inspired such great writers as George Orwell, JM Barrie, and Robert Louis Stevenson, this beautifully written book is as much a character study of the people who choose to live here as it is a description of the unique nature. landscape.
find out more about argyll & the islands.
granta books, madeleinebunting.com
do you love this? try sea room: my love affair with the islands by adam nicolson. These fascinating memoirs chronicle life on the Shiants, three small Hebridean islands off the coast of Lewis, with only puffins for company.
rebus’s scotland: a personal journey, ian rankin
Detective lovers the world over were introduced long ago to the streets of Edinburgh through the eyes of world-weary Detective Inspector John Rebus. In this fascinating tome that fuses the author’s own life with that of his fictional creation, Rankin reveals the hidden places off the beaten tourist path that inspired the complex protagonist and the cases of his best-selling novels. In short, it is a fascinating tour of contemporary Scotland by one of our most successful writers.
See Also: 14 best new romance books you should read – Polygon
find out more about edinburgh.
orion,ianrankin.net
do you love this? test 44 scotland street by alexander mccall smith. Enjoy this most light-hearted depiction of life in Edinburgh, following the lives and loves of the residents of a new home in the city.
whiskey galore, compton mackenzie
Whiskey Galore is one of Scotland’s all-time favorite books that inspired the 1949 British comedy film of the same name. Set during World War II at the height of rationing, it tells the story of a small Hebridean community trying to free 50,000 cases of whiskey from a sinking freighter while evading the authorities. Based on a true-life incident that occurred at Mackenzie’s foster home, Barra, this classic tale of traditional island life in reverse will charm you with its dry Scottish wit.
find out more about the beautiful barracks island that mackenzie used as a model for the fictional islands of greattodday and littletodday.
uk vintage publication
do you love this? Try John Buchan’s 39 Steps. This action-packed classic, later filmed by Alfred Hitchcock, follows an innocent man framed for murder on the run through Edinburgh, Glencoe and other Scottish locales.
findings, kathleen jamie
This collection of essays by award-winning poet and birder Kathleen Jamie brings to life the landscape and wildlife of the Northeast, as well as Orkney, the Hebrides, and many other places. she discovers the wonders of Scottish nature through her eyes as she sails from island to island, seeking out beautiful sightings of rare birds, chasing dolphins and other adventures. Highly lyrical, Findings is also a powerful meditation on the importance of conserving Scotland’s wilderness and wilderness.
You can connect virtually with nature in Scotland with the wonders of modern webcam technology and see all kinds of wildlife.
kind of books, kathleenjamie.com
do you love this? try the evening song by lewis grassic gibbon. This captivating novel has its brave young heroine growing up in rural Scotland during the First World War. Gibbon’s evocation of the natural world is considered some of the best in Scottish writing.
the islands of summer,philip marsden
In this gripping and deeply personal tale,The Summer Islestraces a one-man sailing voyage from the west coast of Ireland to the Inner Hebrides and the Summer Isles archipelago off to the northwest coast of scotland vividly depicting the stunning coastline and seascapes of the journey while weaving the captivating myths, poetry and lore of the islands, travel writer marsden beautifully conveys the timeless atmosphere and otherworldly beauty of this secluded part of the world.
granta publications, philipmarsen.co.uk
See Also: 7 Books to Read if You&039re a History Student | Top Universities
do you love this? test bothy tales: steps in the scottish hills by john d burns. This volume of stories from a lifelong mountain climber about his gripping, amusing and sometimes surreal experiences in the highlands and Highlands of Scotland will have you hooked.
the lewis trilogy, peter may
This Lewis Trilogy is an addictive series of murder mysteries set on the Hebridean island of the same name. it also sheds light on authentic daily life on an island where traditional Gaelic culture is proudly preserved, and English remains a second language for many. In May’s writing, Lewis’s wild and dramatic landscape is as much a character as it is the hero, Detective Inspector Fin Macleod, and is a fitting backdrop for the unfolding timelines.
Learn about the Scottish Gaelic language.
quercus books, petermay.co.uk
do you love this? test theshetland seriesbyann cleeveswhich has been adapted into a crime drama by bbc one.
raw spirit: in search of the perfect drink, iain banks
Ever dream of a whiskey tasting tour of Scotland? This written account of a road trip around the country’s distilleries in search of the “perfect glass” is the best substitute for the real deal. Join the celebrated novelists as you travel the length and breadth of the country, via island ferries, single lane mountain roads and even by bike, on your quest to visit some of Scotland’s most famous distilleries as well as its hidden gems. Filled with witty and insightful observations on the whiskey-making process and the people and places they meet along the way, this is an exciting and informative exploration of the unique history and enduring appeal of this iconic spirit.
Learn more about Scotch whisky.
century, britishcouncil.org
do you love this? test under the skin by michael faber. take a different road trip with this science – fictional novel about an alien disguised as a woman who preys on unsuspecting hitchhikers in the Northeast.
mary queen of scotland, antonia fraser
The dramatic life of Mary, Queen of Scots has captivated writers, artists and filmmakers like no other famous Scotsman. Of all her books written about her, Antonia Fraser’s biography remains the authoritative text on the subject. Far from being a boring history book, this bestselling biography is exciting, moving, and meticulously researched. It’s a fantastic companion for anyone who wants to follow in the footsteps of the tragic queen while visiting Scotland.
orion publishing co,curtisbrown.co.uk
do you love this? test how the scots invented the modern world by arthur herman. this easy-to-read tome champions the production of many of the great ideas that shaped the modern world we live in today.
Scotland has produced an impressive array of world-renowned writers. Find out more about the country’s amazing literary past and present during Scotland’s Story Year 2022 and explore the places and attractions you can visit related to your favorite Scottish writers and literary works.
Do you have a favorite book set in or about Scotland? let us know in the comments below.
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