Books |
ReADInG CORneR
THE LIBRARY
This issue’s best reads include a step-by-step guide to tracing your ancestry, a detailed history of the pipes in Scotland, and a travelogue like no other…
LANDSCAPES
CLAN HISTORY
TRAVEL
HERITAGE
ANCESTRY
Corrour Bothy: A Refuge in the Wilderness
Culloden: Battle & Aftermath
BY RALPH STORER
BY PAUL O’KEEFFE
McMillan’s Galloway: A Creative Guide by an Unreliable Local
The Silver Chanter: Historical Tales of Scottish Pipers
Tracing your Scottish Ancestors: The Official Guide (7th edition)
BY HUGH MCMILLAN
BY STUART MCHARDY
This book brings the wild landscape of the Cairngorms to life as it celebrates a century of public use of the famous Corrour Bothy, an essential shelter maintained by the Scottish Mountaineering Association. Including entries from the bothy’s visitor book, (dating from 1928 on), it provides a window into Highland history. Author and experienced hillwalker, Storer, says: “One visitor agonises about going to war. Another is equally traumatised by being unable to ignite wet heather to summon up warmth. Another waxes lyrical on the pleasures of a sunset.” (£10.99, Luath Press) luath.co.uk
This April sees the 275th anniversary of the Jacobite army’s devastating defeat at the Battle of Culloden. In his book, O’Keeffe follows in the soldiers’ footsteps as they enjoyed initial victories at Prestonpans, Clifton and Falkirk, only to suffer one of the quickest defeats in history at Culloden (only 40 minutes). Repercussions reverberated through Britain for centuries, which O’Keeffe also explores: the nationwide celebrations; the grim spectacle of the Jacobite executions; and the aura of romanticism that the battle acquired over the following years. (£25, Bodley Head) penguin.co.uk
Writer Hugh McMillan describes himself as a “Scottish poet who once almost moved away from Dumfries and Galloway, but decided against it in the end.” So, although this unconventional guidebook is irreverent in tone, it’s clear that McMillan’s feelings for Galloway run deep. And we’re sure yours will too, after joining MacMillan on this witty and whimsical tour of his homeland, from the Mull of Galloway to Langholm. He touches on both poetry and politics as he tells the many stories that haunt this mythical landscape. (£12.99, Luath Press) luath.co.uk
Entertaining and informative in equal measure, writer and storyteller Stuart McHardy’s book celebrates the varied role of Scotland’s national instrument throughout Highland and Lowland history. Among the numerous tales, you’ll meet many of Scotland’s most acclaimed pipers, from the MacCrimmons, the renowned island pipers, to Habbie Simpson, possibly the most famous of all the Lowland pipers. If you’ve ever wondered why we associate the bagpipes with Scotland, here’s the answer. (£8.99, Birlinn) birlinn.co.uk
BY NATIONAL RECORDS OF SCOTLAND, EDITED BY TRISTAM CLARKE
A brand-new edition of this best-selling guide to Scottish ancestry research could make 2021 the year your family tree blossoms. Scotland has the best-maintained resources of any country for undertaking family research, and now that the National Archives of Scotland are available online, they can be consulted by anyone from anywhere. Written from the perspective of the custodian of the records, it gives detailed step-by-step instructions for using both online and traditional resources. (£12.99, Birlinn) birlinn.co.uk
Scotland 82
