Scottish Seas


Book Description

In the Scottish fishing village of Auchmithie in 1707, Mac Ayton, the youngest in a family of brave Covenanters, grows strong amid clashes with the sea, bandits, myths, animals, and brothers.




Saints and Sea-kings


Book Description

The kingdom of Dal Riata flourished for a few brief centuries but the legacy of that period is profound. According to legend, the Irish king Fergus Mor arrived on the shore of Argyll around AD 500, and founded Dal Riata, the first kingdom of the Scots. New research now challenges this traditional account of Irish colonization of western Scotland. However it arose, this small kingdom held an important place in the artistic, intellectual and political life of north-western Scotland. Artistic achievements, such as the Book of Kells and the magnificent Iona stone crosses, are some of the world's great works of art. The reputation of the early Christian monks, such as Columba and Domnan, spread across Europe as the monastery at Iona became one of the major centers of learning.




The Great Sea Cliffs of Scotland


Book Description

The Great Sea Cliffs of Scotland is an anthology of outrageous climbing adventures from twenty-six of the most extraordinary sea cliffs across Scotland. From the farthest flung sandstone sea stacks of the northern isles, to the granite playground of the Aberdeenshire coast, via the intricate archipelago of the Hebrides, all the major sea cliffs on the Scottish mainland and surrounding islands are covered in five distinct sections. Each area is described in rich detail and accompanied by personal accounts that offer an intimate perspective of the distinctive nature of this unique environment, and the generous rewards for those willing to accept the challenge of these seemingly improbable lines. With contributions from some of the most renowned pioneers and activists in the field of climbing, this compilation traces the remarkable history of Scottish sea cliff climbing and offers a glimpse of its future. Original poetry by Stuart Campbell complements each introductory section, and exclusive images from some of the UK's most distinguished photographers reveal the cliffs in high resolution with unique clarity and vibrance, capturing the drama and scale of these magnificent seascapes. Full list of contributors: Ross Jones, Tim Rankin, Guy Robertson, Andy Inglis, Lou Reynolds, Dave MacLeod, Wilson Moir, Grant Farquhar, Simon Nadin, Murdoch Jamieson, Rob Christie, Blair Fyffe, Steve McClure, Rick Campbell, Kevin Howett, Karin Magog, Alice Irmak Thompson, Pete Herd, Ian Taylor, Tess Fryer, Mick Fowler, Simon Richardson and Jason Currie. Original poetry by Stuart Campbell. Foreword by Julian Lines, author of Boardman-Tasker winning Tears of the Dawn, and the UK's most prolific deep-water solo climber.




A Narrow Sea


Book Description

The first history of the special relationship between Ireland and Scotland from acclaimed historian Jonathan Bardon, based on his BBC Radio series Based on the popular BBC Ulster radio series of the same name, A Narrow Sea traces the epic sweep of Ireland's relationship with Scotland, exploring the myriad connections, correlations, personalities and antagonisms that have, over the centuries, defined the relationship between these two spirited neighbours. In 120 brief, episodic chapters, A Narrow Sea offers a stirring and panoramic view of a connection that has shaped the course of history. Roving freely across the centuries, from the first migrations of the regions' paleolithic tribes and their encounters with Greek and Roman explorers, to the grand colonial projects of the Vikings, Normans and Stuarts, this is the story of how a shared culture laid the basis for two very different nations. 'Jonathan Bardon's lively and engaging history of the interactions between Ireland and Scotland over two millennia is a vastly pleasurable read and history at its most accessible.' Dublin Review of Books




Stone Age Farmers Beside the Sea


Book Description

Describes the Stone Age settlement preserved in the sand dunes on one of Scotland's Orkney Islands, telling how it was discovered and what it reveals about life in prehistoric times.




The Sea Kingdoms


Book Description

'The most powerful representation yet of the race which has repeatedly changed history as we know it' - The Scotsman Alistair Moffat's journey, from the Scottish islands and Scotland, to the English coast, Wales, Cornwall and Ireland, ignores national boundaries to reveal the rich fabric of culture and history of Celtic Britain which still survives today. This is a vividly told, dramatic and enlightening account of the oral history, legends and battles of a people whose past stretches back many hundred of years. The Sea Kingdoms is a story of great tragedies, ancient myths and spectacular beauty.




The Winter Sea


Book Description

A NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER! "I've loved every one of Susanna's books! She has bedrock research and a butterfly's delicate touch with characters—sure recipe for historical fiction that sucks you in and won't let go!"—DIANA GABALDON, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Outlander A hauntingly beautiful tale of love that transcends time: an American writer travels to Scotland to craft a novel about the Jacobite Rebellion, only to discover her own ancestral memories of that torrid moment in Scottish history... In the spring of 1708, an invading Jacobite fleet of French and Scottish soldiers nearly succeeded in landing the exiled James Stewart in Scotland to reclaim his crown. When young Sophia Paterson travels to Slains Castle by the sea, she finds herself in the midst of the dangerous intrigue. Now, Carrie McClelland hopes to turn that story into her next bestselling novel. Settling herself in the shadow of that historic Scottish castle, she starts to write. But when she discovers her novel is more fact than fiction, Carrie wonders if she might be the only living person who knows the truth—the ultimate betrayal—that happened all those years ago. A sweeping historical fantasy of love, danger, and time travel, Susanna Kearsley masterfully weaves Scotland's past into Carrie's present in this stunning book. Also by Susanna Kearsley: The Rose Garden Mariana The Shadowy Horses The Firebird The Splendour Falls Season of Storms A Desperate Fortune Named of the Dragon Belleweather




The Cafe by the Sea


Book Description

The beloved author of The Bookshop on the Corner returns with a sparkling, sunny, soulful new novel perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand. Years ago, Flora fled the quiet Scottish island where she grew up -- and she hasn't looked back. What would she have done on Mure? It's a place where everyone has known her all her life, where no one will let her forget the past. In bright, bustling London, she can be anonymous, ambitious... and hopelessly in love with her boss. But when fate brings Flora back to the island, she's suddenly swept once more into life with her brothers -- all strapping, loud, and seemingly incapable of basic housework -- and her father. Yet even amid the chaos of their reunion, Flora discovers a passion for cooking -- and find herself restoring dusty little pink-fronted shop on the harbour: a café by the sea. But with the seasons changing, Flora must come to terms with past mistakes -- and work out exactly where her future lies... Funny and heartfelt, The Café by the Sea is a delightful summertime novel that puts a modern twist on the classic Seven Brides for Seven Brothers story.




The Terror of the Seas?


Book Description

This book places early modern Scottish maritime warfare in its European context. Its formidably broad range of sources sheds light on many previously little known, or unknown, aspects of naval history. It also provides many valuable new perspectives on the importance of the sea to the Scots, and of the Scots to the naval history of Great Britain.




Across the German Sea


Book Description

In Across the German Sea: Early Modern Scottish Connections with the Wider Elbe-Weser Region Zickermann analyses the commercial, maritime and military relations between Scotland and the German cities (Hamburg, Bremen) and territories (Bremen and Verden, Holstein, Braunschweig-Lüneburg) located alongside the lower parts of the rivers Elbe and Weser. Based on a wealth of British, German and Scandinavian archival material, the study demonstrates the importance of the region for Scottish commodity exchange and network building across political borders, whilst contributing significantly to our understanding of the formation of Scottish communities abroad. It also shows that Scottish commercial, political, military and religious activities within the region – which featured a Danish-Norwegian and Swedish dimension - were intertwined and cannot be studied in isolation.