Moffat’s journey into Scotland’s lesser-known stories is a window into things we thought we knew but probably didn’t! His voice is delightful - in fact I suspect he could read me the phone directory and it would be good! I also appreciated that in later chapters he seemed to dispense with some of his more jocular asides from the earlier chapters.

He presumes a certain level of knowledge – particularly geographical – from the reader, but I love the broad strokes he applies to history. A wide-ranging exploration of the origins of the Clearances from the 18th century to their culmination in the crofting legislation of the 1880s.Kate Williams explains the basis of the rivalry between Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I of England and discovers why they embarked upon a collision course that would end with Mary’s execution at the hands of the English queen. A historical novel for 10-and-ups based on the girl who was a jester in the court of Mary, Queen of Scots, the first of the "Stuart Quartet" books. The martyrdom of William Wallace, the tragedy of Mary Queen of Scots and the forlorn cause of Bonnie Prince Charlie all give the impression of 'poor' Scotland; a victim of misfortune, leading to the country's inevitable submission to the Auld Enemy. This famous Gothic yarn by a Scottish author chronicles a fearful case of transformation in London, exploring Victorian ideas about conflict between good and evil.

Three Scottish weavers, James Wilson, Andrew Hardie and John Baird, were hanged and beheaded for high treason in the summer of 1820. Going back and forth on certain subjects and characters had me also going back and forth on my Kindle to make sure I understood things right and then his presumption on my foreknowledge of certain aspects of the history (and thus his wanting or lacking of explanation) had me questioning weather I should just find a better book, one that portrays events and the people important to them in a more logical and chronological way. Alex Massie, The Spectator“There is scarcely a dull page in this book, though readers may well find the wealth of detail dizzying. This revised and updated volume of the 'New History of Scotland' series explores a period of intense identit

This, with the social “clanishness” of the Scots, especially when away from home, made for a winning combination, further salted with the romance of the ill-fated Jacobites. Prepare for your trip to the magnificent country of Scotland by taking a journey through various accounts of historical instances witnessed by a wide variety of Scottish people. I love Neil Oliver from his appearances on Coast because his enthusiasm encourages everyone to share in his love of history and I had no doubt that I would enjoy this book.