Angus MacDonald, author of the just published ‘ The Secret of Ardnish ’ came to Lomond to sign a vast pile of this book and three others in the Ardnish series . Scottish bestsellers and well-reviewed in the adventure romance genre, they appeal to visitors and locals alike!     “Compelling, Captivating, Extraordinary…”   ‘ Ardnish Was Home ’ , ‘ We Fought For Ardnish ’ , ‘ Ardnish ’ (a prequel) , and the latest book ‘ The Secret of Ardnish ’ are rich in historic and cultural references which provide vivid portraits of the families who once breathed life into the peninsula. Enduring love and human spirit are starkly contrasted by wartime horror, daring escapades and adventure which propel the reader through each story, authenticated with thorough research and accurate detail. Angus says, "I wrote the first of the Ardnish series eight years ago, the wonderful history of this now deserted area just yearned to be written about. Pulling together the stories of the people of the west coast combined with the real life history of the Lovat Scouts, the reconnaissance troops of the British army and of course in each book there is a girl, who inevitably becomes the hero of the story." "The first book started off   ‘Ardnish is where God was born. Anyone who has been there on a day in early May, as the sun sets over Goat Isle, would see why it is a certainty. The peninsula is the most beautiful place on earth: the gentle hills behind the village; the towering mountains of An Stac and Roshven facing us, reflected in the sea on a calm day; the curve of the beach in front; and the islands of Eigg and Rum beyond.. Ardnish was home – it is where I belong – and every day I am away I yearn to return.’ "   "My house looks across the loch at the stunning Ardnish, there isn’t a ruin I haven’t explored, a cliff I haven’t climbed to find out more about the place and its people. The last of them left during the last war, with the diaspora spread across the world. One was even Deputy Premier of Canada.  My grandfather and great grandfather served in the Lovat Scouts in the Boer War, First and Second World wars, kept diaries and wrote detailed letters home….what a wonderful source for a novel writer. "   "The just published ‘ The Secret of Ardnish ’ is very much an Ardnish series book, albeit set in 2016. The grandson of the last person on the peninsula returns from Canada to ‘the old country’, and goes kayaking around the peninsula following the trail of Bonnie Prince Charlies’ gold aided by local girl, Sarah. I hope you enjoy reading these books as much as I did writing them."   Shop YOUR SIGNED COPIES of the Ardnish books  here and don't forget! You always get 10% off your order when you shop with us on our website!

  Presenting the most in-depth, relatable, and picturesque guidebook to the North Coast 500 on the market - this is Destination NC500 .   “Your book is fantastic. I am not much of a reader and cannot put this book down. Just bought our 1st ever camper and so excited. Can’t wait to visit some of the spectacular places you have talked about in your book. Well done!”   The North Coast 500 coastal route ties all that Scotland has to offer into one epic road trip. The incredible beauty of the remote and unforgiving highlands of Scotlands make it one of the most unique places on Planet Earth, a definite bucket-list location for any traveller. Plan the NC500 road trip like never before with this in-depth and relatable travel guide, detailing where to eat, where to stay, essential road trip information, and over 100 of the top sights that cannot be missed - an unforgettable adventure!  During the research for this book, Campbell and Gemma spent two months living on the route, turning over every rock and leaf to make sure that they included all of the best-hidden sights and attractions that the NC500 has to offer.     “This is a fantastic book that details a fantastic journey through some of Scotland’s most inspiring scenery. An absolute joy to read. Makes you want to do it, and makes you feel like you’re already there. Wonderful.”     Shop ‘Destination NC500’ here today and get 10% off your order when you shop with us on our website!    

Just a few more days to go before the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing kick off! We wish the British Curling Team good luck - hopefully their Olympic endeavours will be as successful and exciting as Corrie’s adventures in ‘Corrie's Curling Capers’! "Corrie, The Westie Fest champion is invited to open the Caledonian Canine Curling Club bonspiel but she's off to a slippery start with no ice rink on Arran. After talking with her Papa, Corrie discovers curling was played on the island 200 years ago." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shop ‘Corrie's Curling Capers’ here today and get 10% off your order !

We  are enthralled with this new book - Edinburgh.  It's a fantastic new collaboration between acclaimed photographer Allan Wright and award-winning writer, actor and director Gerda Stevenson . Edinburgh: Allan Wright & Gerda Stevenson Edinburgh is a portfolio of Allan Wright’s wonderful images of Scotland’s capital in collaboration with 22 new poems by Gerda Stevenson, as photographer and poet inspire each to look afresh at the city today. With Edinburgh, Wright and Stevenson take us on a journey of both the expected and unexpected, but with a new perspective that looks behind the familiar to the human stories that make the city what it is. Edinburgh: Allan Wright & Gerda Stevenson Allan Wright has been a professional photographer since the 1980s, and Edinburgh is the his 17 th book in an illustrious career that has seen him travel throughout South East Asia, Australia, North Africa, as well as his native Scotland. Allan says: “The poetry collection featured in this book has, to my mind, interacted with the images to help penetrate the veneer that tends to dominate the city. All those prestigious castings and fine masonry may have collectively created one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, but there were struggles in its making, and so often a human price was paid.” Gerda Stevenson: “…along Middle Meadow Walk, its braid of global colours in full annual swing” Gerda Stevenson’s work has been widely performed, published and broadcast on stage, in print, and on the radio. Previous works include If This Were Real and Quines: in tribute to the women of Scotland , and with Edinburgh she provides a thought-provoking, witty, and above all personal viewpoint to the place she calls home. Edinburgh: Allan Wright & Gerda Stevenson Gerda says “My Edinburgh won’t be your Edinburgh any more than yours won’t be mine. But here in Allan Wright’s Edinburgh, my response to it, and, in turn, his response to mine – the interaction of two perspectives, adding we hope, to the debate about Scotland’s on-going story, our tribute to one of the world’s great capital cities. Richard Holloway writes of this new book: “The combination of Allan Wright’s gorgeous photography and Gerda Stevenson’s searing poetry is a stunning tribute to that magnificent old hypocrite, the city of Edinburgh.” Edinburgh: Allan Wright & Gerda Stevenson Edinburgh by Allan Wright and Gerda Stevenson is available to from Scottish Bookstore now. Click here to order your copies. It's received some rave reviews of late too - "Stunning portrait of Edinburgh. The book is brilliant. Buy it." The National "‘Fabulous, intimate portrait of Edinburgh in new book with poems by Gerda Stevenson of ‘Quines’ fame, matching images by photographer Allan Wright. Not an uncritical, gushing tribute. Perceptive, spirited and loving."  Lesley Riddoch

Exciting news for author Allan Martin, whose thrilling and atmospheric novel The Peat Dead has been shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland McIlvanney Prize for Debut Crime Novel 2019. The Peat Dead Set predominantly on the magical island of Islay, The Peat Dead is a remarkably assured first novel that introduces us to Inspector Angus Blue and his team, who are confronted by the grisly discovery of five corpses in a peat bank. Skilfully blending historic and current political events with the intricacies of a police investigation and astute insights into island life The Peat Dead grips the reader from the very first page. On hearing of his nomination, retired teacher and university lecturer Allan said, 'I am thrilled to be shortlisted for such a prestigious prize. It is a great honour and something I could not have imagined when I started writing.' Seonaid Francis, Editorial Director at ThunderPoint Publishing added, 'Allan Martin has crafted a gripping novel that draws on historic events and places them firmly in current times, and reminds us that the past effects us all. He is an author to watch and we strongly recommend people search out The Peat Dead'. Reviews of The Peat Dead “A mystery so redolent of its island setting that you practically smell the peat and whisky on the pages.” – Douglas Skelton “This atmospheric crime novel set on Islay gripped me from the start. A book that shows decades-old crimes cast long shadows.” – Sarah Ward About The Peat Dead On the Scottish Hebridean Island of Islay, five corpses are dug up by a peat-cutter. All of them have been shot in the back of the head, execution style. Sent across from the mainland to investigate, Inspector Angus Blue and his team slowly piece together the little evidence they have, and discover the men were killed on a wartime base, over 70 years ago. But there are still secrets worth protecting, and even killing for. Who can Inspector Blue trust? About the Author: Allan Martin worked as a teacher, teacher-trainer and university lecturer, and only turned to writing fiction after taking early retirement. He lives in Glasgow and with his wife regularly visits the Hebrides and Estonia. He has had several short stories published, notably in iScot magazine and 404Ink magazine. He has also translated from Estonian a ‘closed-room’ mystery, The Oracle, originally published in 1937. The Peat Dead is available in paperback at £9.99 and can be ordered from Scottish Bookstore.

I'll share with you a secret - I am a urbanite with a passion for all things rural, so this new book is now pride of place on my bookshelf! Following our post about Allan Wright's latest release (if you missed it you can find it here ) this second new release treads a different track from Allan's usual publications. Vintage Tractors, Allan Wright Renowned across Scotland, Allan is widely recognised for his remarkable ability to evoke the soul of the land he so evidently loves and respects. In 'Vintage Tractors' Allan invites his readers to connect with the land once again while joining him on an unusual journey - finding vintage tractors. Many of those 'noble beasts', having served their time, are discovered languishing amidst some of Scotland's most awe-inspiring landscapes or partially concealed in the depths of dilapidated old barns. Some are smothered by bracken. Allan's powerful, thought provoking, sometimes startling images create a unique photographic chronicle of an era almost, but not yet, consigned to oblivion. One man and his dog, Allan Wright 'Vintage Tractors' is available now from Scottish Bookstore at just £8.99. Click here to order your copy now.

Two new books have just arrived in our warehouse - hot off the press from Allan Wright Photography. Here at Scottish Bookstore we are a huge fan of Allan's work, not least the thousands of images featured in the Lyrical Scotland postcard and greetings card ranges we stock. But Allan's latest projects see him return to book form which truly showcases his artistic eye. Allan's appreciation for Scotland's varied scenery is amply evident in these new publications, the first of which celebrates our outermost isles. 'Scotland's Islands' truly captures the best of Allan's work. It's easy to see why he cherishes and continues to thrive on what he calls "the encounter and challenge involved in zeroing in on the moment". Readers of this book will too. Scotland's Islands, Allan Wright Allan is no stranger to Scotland's dramatic seaboard having spent many years as a lens-man, passionate in his quest to discover his own country - onshore and off. Consequently 'Scotland's Islands' features over 160 pages of spellbinding photography, further enhanced by the elegant writing of leading Herald and Guardian journalist and columnist Marianne Taylor. Marianne shares her own intimate experience of exploring many of Allan's featured islands adding a refreshing dimension to this beautiful book - truly a document of out time. Here are just a few of the photographs in this new collection: Isle of Harris, Allan Wright Orkney, Allan Wright Shetland, Allan Wright You can order Scotland's Islands from us now - and as always we are offering 10% off. Just click here to order your copy now! You can also read an interview with photographer Allan Wright on our blog here - www.scottishbookstore.com/blog/allan-wright/

At the top of the new releases list in Scottish fiction this month is this extraordinary and un-put-down-able wartime romance, We Fought for Ardnish . Following the tremendous success of Ardnish Was Home (now on it's 5th reprint), this is a sure-fire hit for the summer. The story focuses on a young Highlander recruited to his local regiment at the beginning of the Second World War, and follows his dangerous liaisons with a Canadian SOE agent. We Fought for Ardnish - Angus MacDonald We caught up with author Angus MacDonald to discuss all things writing, Ardnish and his latest novel - Jenny: Firstly Angus, tell us a bit about your latest novel, We Fought for Ardnish… Angus MacDonald: The book is the sequel to ‘Ardnish was home’, a romantic story about a lad growing up on the remote West Highland peninsula of Ardnish. At the outset of WW2 he joins the local regiment The Lovat Scouts and then switches to the Special Operations Executive (SOE), in order to fight with the French resistance. On a mission in the alps he meets Canadian SOE agent, Francoise who has a mission to complete. Their lives become intertwined; dangerous and romantic... J: Set in the Second World War, how does this differ from your first novel? Did you undertake a lot of research in the period? AM: The baby from the first book becomes the hero of the second. The stories of the highlands and Cape Breton in Canada are true and the details of the Lovat Scouts and SOE are accurate. The characters are fictional however. J: Tell us about Donald Angus and Francoise, the heroine? AM: Donald Angus is a proud, generous and capable lad, brought up in a very simple existence in a crofters house on the shoreline. A legendary bagpiper and soldier who is rapidly promoted, his love for his beloved highlands is completely authentic. Francoise is strong, fearless and very intelligent. Her father is a doctor in Cape Breton, Canada. The deprivations she copes with during her mission behind enemy lines are remarkable. J: Both of your novels are set (in part) in the Scottish Highlands – do you find your surroundings influence your writing? Why does this setting appeal to you? AM: The village on Ardnish is a row of houses along a sandy beach with the islands of Eigg and Rum the view. Its impossible not to marvel at the beauty of this place, its stirs the heart. J: Has your own background in the military influenced your writing? AM: My ability to rise at 3.45 in the morning to write and discipline of focusing and getting on with the job may be a result of time in the army. But the writing is such a pleasure its easy to do really. J: Since you’re not a full time writer – we’d imagine you have a very busy schedule. How do you find time to fit writing in? AM: I write in the winter months, and the early start allows me to do my day job. The editing process as I work with Erica Munro, Jo-Anne MacDonald in Canada and Alison Rae from Birlinn is a long and sometimes painful experience. J: We hear you have a great deal of publicity for your latest release – tell us all! AM: BBC Alba, the Gaelic TV station, and Radio Nan Gaidheal came to visit Ardnish and interviewed me, aired on Monday 9 th July. And BBC Scotland had Janice Forsyth interview me, really thorough and interested questioning. Nevis radio and Oban FM too. Lots of coverage in the regional press as well as The Scotsman so far. The Inverness Courier will run almost a full page along with their many subsidiary newspapers across the north of Scotland in mid July. I'll be at The Edinburgh Festival, Wigtown, Mallaig and Tobermory festivals over the course of the next few months. J: If you had to sum up We Fought for Ardnish in a tweet, how would you describe it? AM: A dangerous war time mission resulting in romance, ‘We fought for Ardnish’ is better than Outlander. J: And if you imagine the reader you think would most enjoy this novel, how would you describe them? AM: Considerate, exciting, loves adventure and the Highlands. J: What's your best piece of writing advice? AM: Just get on and do it, stop talking about it and prevaricating! J: And lastly, if you could only recommend one place in Scotland for someone to visit, where would it be and why? AM: Two miles north of Lochailort on the A830 past the stunning ‘Our lady of the Braes’ church, park in the big lay-by on the left. Peanmeanach is signposted, put on good boots and set along the same route that Donald Angus and the hundreds of people of Ardnish before him walked for two hours to their stunning village. Sit on the rock that Francoise would have as she looked down to where her beloved Donald Angus was brought up. Wave, then walk down to Ardnish and home... We Fought for Ardnish - Angus MacDonald Angus's recommendation sounds truly blissful, as is his writing. We'd highly recommend We Fought for Ardnish as a summer read - it's the perfect mix of nostalgia, romance, escapism and action. It's available from Scottish Bookstore now with 10% off!

The search for the Loch Ness Monster has been ongoing for years - it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to Loch Ness every year and many people have dedicated their lives to it. Myths around the monster range from it being an escaped circus elephant to the last remnants of the dinosaurs, or just a floating tree branch. But have you ever wondered what will happen if someone actually catches the Loch Ness Monster? Nessie Code of Practice Well, believe it or not there is actually an official code of practice for what would happen should Nessie be found. Scottish Natural Heritage have been in possession of the 'partly serious, partly fun' plans since 2001, and according to BBC News SNH are preparing to bring out the code again - just in case - amid DNA collection from the loch. Catch and Release Should Nessie be found, the SNH will protect him or her as a new monster species and they have stipulated that once DNA samples have been taken, Nessie should be released to back into the loch. SNH have added that should Nessie be discovered today, local communities and businesses would need to be consulted about her protection. First Minister - 'I'm a Believer' Just last month, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that she believes in Nessie's existence in the loch - and she joins a huge number of people who are convinced that this mythical creature lies in wait under the surface. So why hasn't Nessie been found yet? Well, it's not for want of trying. With origins in 565AD, the tantalising, brief sightings of something in the water have kept cropping up in the news. There have been numerous small and large expeditions to find the monster - including a £1m operation in the 1980s. But Loch Ness is not your average body of water. In fact, it contains more water than all of the lakes in England and Wales combined. (and even at that, Loch Morar is deeper and Loch Lomond is bigger!) It's 23 miles long and at it's deepest is 230m deep. That's an awful lot of water to look in, and that gives Nessie plenty of opportunity to evade discovery! Finding Nessie So, the search for Nessie will continue - but at least we can all be safe in the knowledge that should the monster be found, it will become Scotland's newest protected species and allowed to live in its natural habitat. If you're among the 400,000 people visiting Loch Ness this year be sure to keep an eye out for oor Nessie. And if you're not, try your hand at spotting her on Google Earth !

We've been reveling in a sensational few weeks of sunshine here in Scotland and it looks set to continue as we move into July. To help you to make the most of the great Scottish outdoors, we'll be recommending books for adults and children throughout the month so that you can all get out and enjoy yourselves! Keep an eye on our Facebook , Twitter and Instagram pages and look for our hashtag #greatoutdoors for our recommendations!