One of our hotly anticipated new releases in March is this stunning photography book from one of our favourite photographers, Allan Wright. Arran: Sixty Best Views Allan’s latest project - Arran: Sixty Best Views - is a celebration of one of his favourite parts of the country, the Isle of Arran. Ahead of the book’s launch, Jenny grabbed a few minutes with the man himself to find out more about the book – Jenny: Tell us a bit about how this new book, ‘Arran: Sixty Best Views’ came about – why Arran? Allan Wright: The previous title, Arran, which I co-authored with Tony Bonning has been out of print for many years now, and since that time I have built up a new collection of images from the island. I have started a programme of new book titles to address the increased demand for photography on the printed page, or in ‘hard copy’. J: Is this book the result of one particular visit to Arran, or images collected over a period of time? AW: Most of the images were taken within the last five years, but there are a handful that go back much later – these are the images that I haven’t been able to improve upon since! Arran: Sixty Best Views, Allan Wright J: How long did it take you to edit your selection to just sixty images? Were there many more that you would have liked to include? AW: An hour here and there over a period of a week I drilled into my files and created a shortlist of about a hundred. From there, I whittled down to a core sixty images. Editing is one of the hardest parts of this kind of photography. J: If you had to sum up ‘Arran: Sixty Best Views’ in a tweet, how would you describe it? AW: The unique character and beautifully diverse landscape of Arran distilled into a tidy little soft back. J: What makes this book different from other collections of photographs of Arran? AW: Inevitably each collection is a subjective view. ‘Arran: Sixty Best Views’ is my take which I hope is representative of my work as a whole and one which shows the island at its best. Arran: Sixty Best Views, Allan Wright J: You’ve been working in Scotland for a number of years – what do you enjoy most about photographing the country? AW: The infinite variety of colours, textures, light quality, topography and heritage – both natural and man made – probably has few equals anywhere in the world. J: How do you find the seasons change the Scottish landscape? AW: The range of challenges and opportunities that our seasons offer is absolutely vast. In fact, it’s difficult to overstate the differences the seasons make to the landscape’s character. J: Tell us a bit about how you work as a photographer – do you plan a day around capturing particular shots or do you go out take what the day brings you? AW: I am tied to the logistics of a shoot in a big way. Weather is huge of course, but so is travel, access issues and time of day. Expected demand for certain subjects also influences my decisions, but in general it is a straight split between planned shots and ad hoc encounters. Arran: Sixty Best Views, Allan Wright J: Did you always want to be, or think you would become, a professional photographer? AW: It was a hobby whilst I was working abroad as an oilfield engineer. I discovered my fascination with the power of an image while traveling in third world countries and I have never lost the passion. J: Do you still enjoy working as a photographer now as much as when you started? AW: Yes, although the experience is different now. Perhaps a little less excitement, more quiet satisfaction. J: Photography is a hugely popular activity and many of us fancy ourselves as an amateur photographer. What advice would you give as a successful photographer in so many genres? AW: Follow your passion and get a broad grip of the process, but then specialise if you want to gain recognition in one field. J: Do you prefer more traditional methods of photography or digital techniques and gadgets? AW: I shoot all digital although I try to keep it simple and avoid over reliance on technology to enhance the end product. Nature and fine architecture is simple and beautiful, the challenge is to do it justice without deception. Arran: Sixty Best Views, Allan Wright J: What sort of photographs do you enjoy taking most? Landscapes, nature, cities, people… AW: All of the above in equal measure. J: What do you have planned next? More books? AW: Yes, I plan to do at least six titles over the next three to four years. So it sounds like there’s a lot more to look forward to from Allan Wright over the next few years. ‘Arran: Sixty Best Views’ is part of his latest collection of photographic books which so far includes Galloway, Castle Douglas, Skye and Glasgow. This fantastic book is available now - with 10% off!

The Debatable Land was an independent territory which used to exist between Scotland and England and it is the oldest detectable territorial division in Great Britain. The Debatable Land – Graham Robb It was once one of the most revered parts of our native island – the bloodiest region in the country, fought over by Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and James V. After the the Union of the Crowns this territory was the last part of Great Britain to be conquered and brought under state control. But until now, the history of this unique part of the country has been widely  ignored or forgotten. Historian Graham Robb has been writing acclaimed, prize winning books for years and this is his first look at his homelands. When he and his wife moved to a lonely house on the very edge of England, he discovered that the river which almost surrounded his new home had once marked the Debatable Land’s southern boundary. Intrigued by the remarkable and yet unremarked history of this area, he began a journey on foot, bicycle and into the past, and uncovered the lost towns and roads of this region. In the course of the narrative, Robb sheds new light on the Dark Age and delves into several discoveries of major historical significance. In stock now - find it here .

'Hame' - a Scottish home; a valued place regarded as a refuge or place or origin Hame - Annalena McAfee This is a fabulous new novel set on a fictional island of Fascaray - a remote and wild small isle off the coast of Scotland. A combination of letters, poems, journal extracts and fiction, it's been described by Irish Times as 'a hugely entertaining roller coaster of a ride through poetry and language'. The novel centres around Mhairi McPhail, a young American  curator who, following the break down of her relationship, picks apart her New York life and moves thousands of miles to a place that couldn't be further from her previous home. She arrives in Fascaray - nine year old daughter in tow - to write the biography of the island's late Bard, Grigor McWatt. Here's the blurb from the back: 'But who was the cantankerous Grigor McWatt? Despite his international reputation, details of his past are elusive. As Mhairi struggles to adapt to her new life she begins to unearth the astonishing secret history of the poet regarded by many as the custodian of Fascaray's - and Scotland's - soul. A highly acclaimed debut novel, this is a wonderful read for Spring. It's in stock now: find it here .

2018 marks the 150th anniversary of one of Scotland's finest and most renowned artists, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. As you would expect, to celebrate one of our great cultural icons there is a programme of events for all things Mackintosh created by heritage partners from across Glasgow and beyond. We'll be doing our own bit to celebrate too! Charles Rennie Mackintosh was born in Townhead, Glasgow, on the 7th of June 1868. He was part of a large family of eleven children. After winning a Traveling Student scholarship, Mackintosh began work as an architect in Glasgow where his first major project was the Glasgow Herald Building - now known as the Lighthouse. Mackintosh spent most of his life in Glasgow and was heavily influenced by its industrial, modernist characteristics. He became an internationally respected architect following the success of projects including the Glasgow School of Art, the Queen's Cross Church in Maryhill and the Hill House in Helensburgh. He also worked in interior design, furniture production, textiles and metalwork. As his affection for architecture dwindled in later life, Mackintosh became a more prominent artist. He and his wife had been part of 'The Glasgow Four', a collaborative art group since their youth and both were prominent members of the Glasgow School movement. His later work was predominantly in watercolour, particularly after his move to France in 1923. As is so often the case for great artists, much of Mackintosh's recognition came posthumously. He is widely regarded now as a pioneer of modernism and has a well established and internationally recognised aesthetic. Today, Glasgow and its surrounding area are home to the world's largest and most important collection of Mackintosh buildings, artifacts, artwork and designs. In this celebratory year, a number of attractions and groups are partaking in the 'Mackintosh 150' events programme: Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum - host of a major exhibition The Lighthouse Glasgow Art Club V&A Dundee The Glasgow School of Art The Hill House House for an Art Lover Mackintosh Queen's Cross Church The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society Mackintosh Club Scotland Street School Museum The Hunterian Mackintosh at the Willow Throughout March we will be posting our selection of the best Mackintosh books on the market - keep an eye out for our Mackintosh Month posts on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram !

Happy World Book Day! Today, 1st of March, is officially the day to celebrate all things bright and book-iful! Kids in schools across the country will be celebrating today in a whole host of ways – and here’s how you can get involved too: #ShareAStory – this is the big activity for 2018; take just 10 minutes to share a story with someone at some point today. Today in the office we’re sharing one of our favourite stories… Harry the Highlander: Up the Glen Harry the Highlander: Up the Glen Join a book club – young or old, start your own group or join an existing one and make some noise – lots of noise – about your favourite books Collect, receive, gift and spend National Book Tokens in your favourite bookshops There are lots of ways to celebrate World Book Day and we’d love to hear what you’re doing in Scotland! Send us a picture on Facebook , Twitter or Instagram of your WBD celebrations; we know us Scots are great at hosting some fantastic events! For more on World Book Day, visit the official site here: www.worldbookday.com

The opening of the Queensferry Crossing in August this year was one of Scotland’s biggest civic events. 50,000 people walked across our newest landmark and close to 4,000 guests were present to see HRH Queen Elizabeth II officially open the bridge. We’re delighted to have the only book about this incredible new feat of engineering in stock. Lily Publication’s The Queensferry Crossing: Vision to Reality is a quality, informative book packed with stunning colour photographs. It celebrates both the new bridge – the longest three-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world – and the 15,000 men and women who worked to complete the structure. The Queensferry Crossing: Vision to Reality This is a must-have commemorative book that marks one of Scotland’s largest and most innovative projects. Spanning the bridge’s new history from conception to completion, it details the technical challenges triumphs lying behind its construction. It includes forwards from First Minister Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP and key individuals in the project’s management. The Queensferry Crossing: Vision to Reality  is available now to order now here . Jenny, Scottish Bookstore

We love to see new books as they arrive in our warehouse and one in particular today has caught our attention... The Tale o the Wee Mowdie You may know of a popular children's book 'The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew it was None of his Business' which recently celebrated it's 25th anniversary. It's now been translated into Scots by Matthew Mackie and the result is an absolute delight! The Tale o the Wee Mowdie That Wantit tae ken wha Keeched on his Heid is a brilliant Scots translation that will have children and adults laughing out loud. It's a fantastic book to encourage Scots language among children (as supported now across most of our primary schools) and teaches some wonderfully fun vocabulary that kids will love. Here's the synopsis text from the back to give you a hint of what's inside - An awfu stramash befaws the wee mowdie, yin bricht sunny morn. It looks a bit like a link sasser, and the warst o't is - It faws richt ontae his heid. Oor gallus wee hero gangs oot tae speir Wha's keeched on his heid. Featuring such great lines as "five great muckle cuddy-aipples duntit doon juist a midgie's whisker frae the wee mowdie," it really is a joy to read! It's available now with 10% off - just click here . Jenny, Scottish Bookstore

Today is St Andrew's day and you can read a bit more about Scotland's patron Saint with these great books. Learn all you need to know about St Andrew