International Tartan Day
International Tartan Day (1st July), is a celebration of Scottish Heritage held on the anniversary of the repeal of the repressive English 1747 Act of Proscription that banned the wearing of tartan as an outward sign of Scottish pride.
History, fame, and plenty of romance – we have collected our Scottish themed books to celebrate the day.
Scottish-themed must-reads
Historical Fiction
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
She has a husband in one century – and a lover in another.
In 1945, Claire Randall is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon in Scotland. Innocently she walks through a stone circle in the Highlands, and finds herself in a violent skirmish taking place in 1743. Suddenly she is a Sassenach, an outlander, in a country torn by war and by clan feuds. A wartime nurse, Claire can deal with the bloody wounds that face her. But it is harder to deal with the knowledge that she is in Jacobite Scotland and the carnage of Culloden is looming.
Marooned amid the passion and violence, the superstition, the shifting allegiances and the fervent loyalties, Claire is in danger from Jacobites and Redcoats – and from the shock of her own desire for James Fraser, a gallant and courageous young Scots warrior. Jamie shows her a passion so fierce and a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire, and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.
Biography
Made in Scotland by Billy Connolly
All roads lead home. After my knighthood was announced, a woman from the BBC came to Glasgow to interview me. We sat down in a lovely hotel in a nice part of town, and she hit me with her first question: (This must mean a lot to you, with you coming from nothing? I looked at her, and I laughed.
“I didnae come from nothing,” I told her. I come from something. I grew up in the tenements of post-war Glasgow. I am very proud to be working class, and especially a working-class Glaswegian who has worked in the shipyards. I come from the working class. And, most of all, I come from Scotland. Scotland is a unique and wonderful place. Its national motto says a lot about it: Nemo me impune lacessit. A decent translation might be: By all means punch me in the nose but prepare yourself for a kick in the arse. I didnae come from nothing: I come from Scotland. And this book is about why I will always be happy and proud that I do.
Romance
A Perfect Knight for Love by Jackie Ivie
With his reckless, drunken brother bringing ruin to the clan, and the lass he’s loved all his life in the clutches of a violent husband, the last thing Thayne MacGowan needs is a spirited, sharp-tongued damsel to contend with- no matter how enticing she may be.
Having narrowly escaped an objectionable arranged marriage, Amalie is starting a new life- with a new identity. But her freedom is cut short when a surly but irresistibly handsome Highlander is forced to take her as his bride. If only he knew who she really was. Fate designs an improbable match, and a battle of wills ensues. As Amalie struggles to protect her identity, Thayne finds himself fighting for an unexpected love- and a passion neither can refuse
Almanac
Clandlands by Sam Heughan and Granham McTavish
If Clanlands was a gentle road trip through Scotland, this almanac is a top down, pedal to the metal, up and down odyssey through the many byways of a Scottish year.
An invitation to anyone who picks up the book to join us on a crazy camper van exploration over 12 glorious, whisky fueled months. Mountains, battles, famous (and infamous) Scots, the alarming competitiveness of Men in Kilts, clans, feuds, flora, fauna, with a healthy sprinkling of embarrassing personal reminiscences thrown in. Much is explored, all is shared. It is a camper van cornucopia of all things Alba.
Travel
Scotland by Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet Scotland is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Sip the water of life, whisky, in an ancient pub, trace the trails of the clanspeople fleeing Glen Coe, or play a round in St Andrew’s, golf’s spiritual home -all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Scotland and begin your journey now!
Digital resources
Libby
Scotland Magazine
Published 6 times a year, every issue of Scotland Magazine delves in to the history of Scotland; fromt he mysterious clans to the great leaders, from the spirited crative individuals to the historical life of Scotland’s greatest castles and houses. Filled with wonderful hidden secrets of the country, Scotland Magazine captures the spirit of this great nation, explores its histpry and heritage and recommends great places to visit.
National Geographic
Traveler – Scotland
Published 6 times a year, every issue of Scotland Magazine delves in to the history of Scotland; fromt he mysterious clans to the great leaders, from the spirited crative individuals to the historical life of Scotland’s greatest castles and houses. Filled with wonderful hidden secrets of the country, Scotland Magazine captures the spirit of this great nation, explores its histpry and heritage and recommends great places to visit.
View our full list here