Books

Cauld Blasts and Clishmaclavers

The Scots language is an ancient and lyrical tongue, one inherently linked to the country's history and identity, its land and culture. It is also a living and vital vernacular, used daily. Yet some of these words are beginning to fade away, their meaning and value disappearing. Robin Crawford has gathered together 1,000 Scots words from his native land - old and new, classical and colloquial, rural and urban - a joyful celebration of their continuing usage. In this rich linguistic tapestry, he reveals their evocative origins and essential character with verve, delight and wit.

Scottish Clans & Tartans

Scottish clans and tartans is a popular topic with both Scottish natives and with the millions of people across the world who have ancestral connections with Scotland. One of the bestselling books on the subject, this title by Ian Grimble is widely regarded as being the authority on Scottish clans and tartans. A comprehensive guide to this ever-popular aspect of Scottish culture, featuring 150 tartans in full colour. Alongside the tartans are histories of the origins of each clan and their plaids.

Scottish Clans & Tartans: Lomond Guide

For many people the clan system is a vague concept, associated perhaps with colourful tartans and tragic battles, and in particular with the defeat of Prince Charles Edward and his gallant Highland army at Culloden in 1746. Bit it was the clan system that provided the economic and social structure of the Highlands for some 500 years. The bond of this kinship was so strong that for those of Highland descent even today, their clan is a worldwide family that engenders a pride in their past and a unique sense of belonging.

So You're Going To Wear The Kilt

This readable and handy booklet on Scottish attire provides a compact guide not only for those starting to wear Scottish dress, but also for those who may have been wearing the kilt for some time.

This book takes the reader on a circular tour of the region, beginning at Cairngorm Mountain and then proceeding in an anti-clockwise direction. It aims to represent as much in the way of scenery, places of interest, flora and fauna as possible so as to convey the immense variety of all there is to be explored.

A photographic journey around Scotland's capital city that captures its moods and illustrates the principal landmarks and places of interest. Accompanying text by Colin Nutt and Edinburgh resident Callum Cochrane dips into the city's fascinating past and introduces many parts of the city of which many people may not be aware. 16 extra pages allow the book's coverage to be expanded to include many new views. In addition, further new pictures of classic Edinburgh scenes enhance the quality of its coverage. The book has a total of over 120 pictures, 38 of which are new to this edition.

This book aims to introduce the scenic splendour of Loch Ness and its surroundings. Starting at its northern 'annexe' of Loch Dochfour, it takes a circular tour around the loch in an anti-clockwise direction. This means firstly travelling down its northern shore, via the impressive Urquhart Castle, to Fort Augustus at the southern end of Loch Ness. The return journey goes up the southern side, taking in the sights at locations such as Suidhe Viewpoint and the Falls of Foyers. Here and there along the way there are minor detours calling at places of interest within easy striking distance of Loch Ness.

Cabers & Ceilidhs by Johns Stinson and Donald Gordon

150 years of the Caledonian Society of Otago. Tossing the caber is a traditional Highland Games event believed to have developed from the practice of tossing logs across streams in order to bridge them. A standard caber is 5.94m tall and weights 79KGs.
Ceilidh (pronounced 'caley') is a Gaelic word for a traditional social gathering.

The first and only travel guide written for New Zealand visitors to Britain that features places and things in the United Kingdom that have special historical, sporting and cultural interest for New Zealanders. It contains a fund of fascinating and meaningful information, including places associated with Captain Cook, ports from which the early settlers sailed, war cemeteries of the Anzacs, famous sporting grounds where New Zealand teams have played, church windows, statues and other works of art, pubs and plantations of New Zealand trees. These and other features - all part of the New Zealand story - are listed and vividly described in this ground breaking guide.

This guide comprises instructions to over 150 Irish dances, bringing together for the first time in a single volume, ceili, set, and two-handed country dances. It includes all dances commonly featured in classes, summer schools and feiseanna.

Tartan is an enormously popular pattern in modern fashion and Scottish National Dress is recognised around the world. This book reveals the origin and development of tartans and Scottish national costume. Beginning as Highland dress, it was originally peculiar to certain areas of Scotland but is now generally accepted as its national costume.

What was once ordinary working clothing of a distinctive local style has been formalised and embellished to turn it into a ceremonial dress suitable for days of celebration, while tartans once woven according to the fancy of those who wore them, have also become fixed with certain patterns prescribed for different families, areas or institutions. This process was not, as is popularly thought, a phenomenon begun by the romantic novels of Sir Walter Scott, but began long before as a reaction to the Union with England in 1707. This book not only traces its evolution from earliest time, but the process by which it became Scottish National Dress.

TOC: Chapter I: The Highland Clans /Chapter II: Early Highland Dress /Chapter III: Rebels and Kilts /Chapter IV: Invention of Scottish National Dress /Chapter V: Tartan - a national dress /Chapter VI Scottish National Dress today /Appendix: Major Tartans

Whether you are opting for the full white Wedding or a quick trip to the Blacksmith's shop at Gretna Green, The Scottish Wedding Book is for you. Discover the history behind the traditions, while ensuring that your day is carried out with true Scots precision. The Scottish Wedding Book offers advice on all aspects of a true Scottish Wedding, from food to photography, and from "the dress" to the Wedding Cake. A valuable aide for the soon-to-be-wed, and an interesting read for those simply interested in one of Scotland's liveliest and most famous traditions.

Contains information about what every modern bride needs to know for her Scottish wedding. From engagement to honeymoon, the author comes up with practical information, unique ideas and count down lists. She urges the reader to leave nothing to chance - always a have contingency - so that by the big day the Bride knows she has done everything.