The Importance of Being Seven


Book Description

44 SCOTLAND STREET - Book 6 The residents and neighbors of 44 Scotland Street and the city of Edinburgh come to vivid life in these gently satirical, wonderfully perceptive serial novels, featuring six-year-old Bertie, a remarkably precocious boy—just ask his mother. The great city of Edinburgh is renowned for its impeccable restraint, so how, then, did the extended family of 44 Scotland Street come to be trembling on the brink of reckless self-indulgence? After seven years and five books, Bertie is—finally!—about to turn seven. But one afternoon he mislays his meddling mother Irene, and learns a valuable lesson: wish-fulfillment can be a dangerous business. Angus and Domenica contemplate whether to give in to romance on holiday in Italy, and even usually down-to-earth Big Lou is overheard discussing cosmetic surgery. Funny, warm, and heartfelt as ever, The Importance of Being Seven offers fresh and wise insights into philosophy and fraternity among Edinburgh's most lovable residents.







Call the Nurse


Book Description

Tired of the pace and noise of life near London and longing for a better place to raise their young children, Mary J. MacLeod and her husband encountered their dream while vacationing on a remote island in the Scottish Hebrides. Enthralled by its windswept beauty, they soon were the proud owners of a near-derelict croft house—a farmer’s stone cottage—on “a small acre” of land. Mary assumed duties as the island’s district nurse. Call the Nurse is her account of the enchanted years she and her family spent there, coming to know its folk as both patients and friends. In anecdotes that are by turns funny, sad, moving, and tragic, she recalls them all, the crofters and their laird, the boatmen and tradesmen, young lovers and forbidding churchmen. Against the old-fashioned island culture and the grandeur of mountain and sea unfold indelible stories: a young woman carried through snow for airlift to the hospital; a rescue by boat; the marriage of a gentle giant and the island beauty; a ghostly encounter; the shocking discovery of a woman in chains; the flames of a heather fire at night; an unexploded bomb from World War II; and the joyful, tipsy celebration of a ceilidh. Gaelic fortitude meets a nurse’s compassion in these wonderful true stories from rural Scotland.




Bertie Plays the Blues


Book Description

44 SCOTLAND STREET - Book 7 The residents and neighbors of 44 Scotland Street and the city of Edinburgh come to vivid life in these gently satirical, wonderfully perceptive serial novels, featuring six-year-old Bertie, a remarkably precocious boy—just ask his mother. If you haven’t met the residents of 44 Scotland Street yet, there is no better time, since everyone seems to be in the midst of new beginnings. New parents Matthew and Elspeth must muddle through the difficulties of raising their triplets Rognvald, Tobermory and Fegus—there's normal sleep deprivation, and then there's trying to tell the children apart from one another. Angus and Domenica are newly engaged, and now they must negotiate the complex merger of two households. Domenica is also forced to deal with the return of an old flame, while Big Lou has begun the search for a new one, boldly exploring the new world of online dating and coming up with an Elvis impersonator on the first try. And in Bertie’s family, there's a shift in power as his father Stuart starts to stand up to overbearing mother, Irene—and then there’s Bertie, who has been thinking that he might want to start over with a new family and so puts himself up for adoption on eBay. With his signature charm and gentle wit Alexander McCall Smith vividly portrays the lives of Edinburgh’s most unique and beloved characters.




Caledonian Jews


Book Description

This is the first full history of the Jews in Scotland who lived outside Edinburgh and Glasgow. The work focuses on seven communities from the borders to the highlands: Aberdeen, Ayr, Dundee, Dunfermline, Falkirk, Greenock, and Inverness. Each of these communities was of sufficient size and affluence to form a congregation with a functional synagogue and, while their histories have been previously neglected in favor of Jewish populations in larger cities, their stories are important in understanding Scottish Jewry and British history as a whole. Drawn from numerous primary sources, the history of Jews in Scotland is traced from the earliest rumors to the present.




Bulletin


Book Description




The book of Scottish story : historical, humorous, legendary, and imaginative, selected from the works of standard Scottish authors


Book Description

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Scottish storytelling with "The Book of Scottish Story: Historical, Humorous, Legendary, and Imaginative," curated from the works of esteemed Scottish authors. Enter a world where history, humor, legend, and imagination intertwine to captivate and enchant readers of all ages. But within these pages lies a treasure trove of diverse voices and captivating tales: What wonders await discovery in the realms of Scottish literature? Journey through the highlands and lowlands as you encounter heroes and villains, legends and lore, laughter and tears. Join the chorus of storytellers as they weave narratives that span generations, offering insight into the heart and soul of Scotland. Can you unravel the mysteries of the past and embrace the spirit of the Scottish people? Are you ready to embark on a literary adventure like no other, guided by the masterful storytelling of "The Book of Scottish Story"? Experience the magic of Scotland as you traverse landscapes steeped in history and myth. With each turn of the page, you'll be transported to a world where tradition meets innovation, and where the power of storytelling knows no bounds. Now is your chance to immerse yourself in the richness of Scottish culture. Embrace the legacy of the past and the promise of the future in "The Book of Scottish Story," and let the journey ignite your imagination and stir your soul. Don't miss out on this opportunity to experience the beauty and wonder of Scottish literature. Purchase "The Book of Scottish Story" now, and let the stories of Scotland capture your heart and inspire your spirit.




James VII


Book Description

James VII and II is one of the least studied monarchs of Scotland, and has previously mostly been studied from an English perspective or as the muddled victim of the revolution of 1688/9 which delivered for Britain much-vaunted political emancipation. This book provides the first complete portrait of James as a Stewart prince of Scotland, as duke of Albany and King of Scots. It re-evaluates the traditional views of James as a Catholic extremist and absolutist who failed through incompetence, and challenges preconceptions based on strong views of his failings, both in popular belief and serious history. Investigating the personality and motives of the man, this biography assesses James as commander, as Christian and as king, but also as family man and Restoration libertine - a prince of his time. Painting a picture of James from cradle to grave, from childhood to resigned exile, it brings him to life within his Scottish context and as a member of the royal line of Scotland. The journey from dashing young cavalry commander to pious prince in exile appears oddly incongruous given the political and personal trials that lay between. That journey was much more of Scotland than previous studies have suggested - indeed, James was in many ways the last King of Scots.




James Hogg: Collected Novels, Scottish Mystery Tales & Fantasy Stories


Book Description

Musaicum Books presents to you this carefully created collection of James Hogg's collected novels, Scottish mystery tales & fantasy stories. This ebook has been designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Novels: The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner The Three Perils of Man - War, Women and Witchcraft The Brownie of Bodsbeck Short Stories: The Shepherd's Calendar: Rob Dodds Mr Adamson of Laverhope The Prodigal Son The School of Misfortune George Dobson's Expedition to Hell The Souters of Selkirk The Laird of Cassway Tibby Hyslop's Dream Mary Burnet The Brownie of the Black Haggs The Laird of Wineholm Window Wat's Courtship A Strange Secret The Marvellous Doctor The Witches of Traquair Sheep Prayers Odd Characters Nancy Chisholm Snow-Storms The Shepherd's Dog The Expedition to Hell The Mysterious Bride The Wool-Gatherer The Hunt of Eildon James Hogg (1770-1835) was a Scottish poet, novelist and essayist who wrote in both Scots and English. As a young man he worked as a shepherd and farmhand, and was largely self-educated through reading. He was a friend of many of the great writers of his day, including Sir Walter Scott, of whom he later wrote an unauthorized biography. He is best known for his novel The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner.