Curl up with Scotland this World Book Day

There’s something quite special about getting lost in a book to escape to different worlds, stories and destinations.  This World Book Day, 4 March 2021, when it’s not possible to explore Scotland, readers can curl up with a book about Scotland or by a Scottish author and stay inspired. 

Scotland is known for its literary tradition and for inspiring authors and poets.  Whether it’s a new book that has been published about Scotland or written by a Scottish author; a modern thriller by Ann Cleeves or Val McDermid; or a timeless classic like Treasure Island or The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, there is a book for everyone to get engrossed in that has been inspired by our country and its characters. Over the next few days we’ll bring you titles, some old, some new but we guarantee you’ll want to grab a cuppa, find a cosy corner and curl up with one of these books, this World Book Day and beyond.

Modern page-turners 

Luckenbooth by Jenni Fagan

This is the third novel from Scottish author Jenni Fagan.  In the story, over nine decades, No. 10 Luckenbooth Close in Edinburgh bears witness to a changing world outside its walls. An infamous madam, a spy, a famous Beat poet, a coal miner who fears daylight, a psychic: these are some of the residents whose lives are plagued by the historic tenement building's troubled history in disparate, sometimes chilling ways. Historically,  Luckenbooths – from which the book takes its name - were a range of tenements which formerly stood immediately to the north of St. Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile. 

 A Promise of Ankles: 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith 

Alexander McCall Smith has gained a loyal following with his series of novels 44 Scotland Street.   The books cover the comings and goings of a group of residents at the address in the name (which is based upon a real street in Edinburgh) and the stories really bring the city to life.  

Scotland Beyond the Bagpipes by Helen Ochyra 

Travel writer Helen Ochyra has written this comprehensive, illustrative book about Scotland, covering everywhere from Edinburgh and Fife, to Stirling and the central belt, to the Isle of Arran and the west coast.  Readers can follow in her footsteps as she loops around the country, a solo, three-month journey she took in 2017 in the wake of her mum’s death. She writes, “Scotland has shown herself to be fascinating.  From her energetic, wild communities forging a life surrounded by mountains … to her ridiculously beautiful island landscape....”

The Moon’s Our Nearest Neighbour by Ghillie Basan 

This is a beautiful and funny account from food and travel writer Ghillie Basan who moved from Edinburgh with her husband to a remote cottage at the foot of the Cairngorms.  It describes the picturesque beauty of the Highlands, as well as the ferocious weather and the spectacular starry skies, as well as the tremendous strength of spirit in coming to terms with the hardships and isolation of a new lifestyle. 

Tomorrow, favourites from the Tartan Noir genre…