Books about Scotland
On this page, I have tried to list some books about Scotland. You will find here some novels taking place in Scotland, books about scottish history or about scottish traditions, photography books with some of the most beautiful pictures of Scotland and finally, some useful guides if you want to go to Scotland!
Sorry if some of these books are only available in french!
The "Outlandish" series by Diana Gabaldon
These books are the greatest I have ever read! Without any exaggeration! And I have read quite a few! As I need more than a few lines to convince you that this is the truth, I have made a special page dedicated to Ms Gabaldon's work. If you really don't want to miss one of the most wonderful story, please click HERE.
"The Shadowy Horses" by Suzanna Kearsley
This book tells the story of an archeological team, lost in the middle of nowhere. Well, they are not really lost, and it is not really nowhere... They are in the scottish Borders, looking for the remains of an ancient roman camp and for the last traces of the legendary ninth roman legion (also known as Hispana). Although these archeologists have sophisticated and very modern equipment, none of these things help them as much as a little boy, who seems to be able to talk to the ghost of a roman guard.This is really an excellent book, the scottish tone is well written, with the use of the local lingo as many of the characters speak the "braid scot" of the Lowlanders. These characters are very engaging, and the paranormal touch is really nice!
The "Wilderness" series by Sara Donati
At first, the link between these books and Scotland is not very clear. However, they are greatly recommended by Diana Gabaldon, which is a good reason to read them in itself! And the second book is set in part in Scotland (there, you see, you just have to wait a little to see how these books are connected with Scotland).For the moment, the trilogy is only made of two books: "Into the Wilderness" and "Dawn on a Distant Shore". They tell the story of Nathaniel Bonner, Dan'l Bonner's son (Dan'l Bonner, also known as Hawkeye, being the hero of the classic "The last of the Mohicans" by James Fennimore Cooper). But the comparison with Mr. Cooper's book stops here: Ms Donati's books are, in my humble opinion, far more enjoyable than the one by J. F.C. There is action, romance, and a real reflection on the fate of the indian tribes in America and on the half bred people. Great books!
"Highlanders", by Fitzroy MacLean
This is a great book about Scotland, detailing its history from the beginning (Dalriada...) until now. It contains many nice pictures of scottish sceneries but also of scottish megalithic sites, celtic jewelry, or jacobite swords. And at the end of the book there is also an index of all the main scottish clan tartans, with a quick summary of their history.
"Histoire de l'Ecosse" by Michel Duchein, Fayard edition
This book is only available in french. It is made of 590 pages detailing the scottish history from its beginning to the 1999 referendum. It is very complete, and is exactly what you are looking for, if you wish to know more about Scotland.
"Ecosse", by Christian Civardi, Seuil editions
Another book exclusively available in french. This book is full of information on the history of Scotland, but also on its geography, its economy and industry. The author shares with us his anecdotes (some of them are really funny). With many annexes about festivals, museums, movies...
"Clans and Tartans", Collins Editions
A kind of dictionary about the main scottish clans and their tartans. Very useful if you want to be able to tell someone his clan by only looking at the colors of his kilt!
"Highland Wilderness" by Colin Prior and Magnus Linklater, Constable editions
This is the most beautiful picture book about Scotland that I know of! All the pictures of this book have been taken by Colin Prior, specialist of panoramic photography. This is a jewel! And anyone looking at it is condemned to fall immediately in love with Scotland and its incredibly wonderful sceneries!Colin Prior has his own web site, where many of his pictures are available.
"Ecosse, Carnet de bord d'un pêcheur d'images" by Patrick Mahé and Philip Plisson, éditions du chêne
Splendid book with very poetic text, but only available in french. The pictures are mainly centered on the sea and the water: scottish coasts, loch views...
"Ecosse" by Brigitte Bontemps and Hervé Champollion, Hermé editions
Really beautiful pictures in this book. The text (in french) and the pictures are grouped by scottish shires.
"Ecosse, Highlands & Islands" by Michel le Bris, Artus editions
All this book's texts have been written by Michel Le Bris whereas the pictures are from three different photographers. They being panoramic view or black and white pictures, all the photographs of this book are breathtaking.
"Michelin map and green guide"
The map n° 401 is the Michelin map which gives the most detailed view of Scotland. The green guide is also very useful, as you can find in it the opening schedules of all the scottish museums and monuments.
"Pathfinder guide"
These guides are very useful if you want to walk in Scotland. They listall the excursions, and group them into three categories (from very easy to difficult). For all the walks proposed, you will find a map of the region (1:25000), the length of the trip and an idea of the time you will spend to finish the hike...
