Scotland - Best Background Books

Here’s what I read:

How the Scots Invented the Modern World: The True Story of How Western Europe's Poorest Nation Created Our World & Everything in It

Strange Tales Of Scotland: Pocket Book Edition (Jack's Strange Tales)

The Ghosts of Scotland: A Collection of Ghost Stories across the Scottish Nation

Naked Scotland: An American Insider Bares All

Any Scottish historical novels by the late Nigel Tranter would get my vote. He was known as Scotland's Storyteller. Plenty of books to choose from on the list

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Tranter#Historical_novels

Also a book published last year by Andy the Highlander called Lochs and Legends. I own a copy and whilst it did not tell me any stories I had not heard or read before it is very easy reading.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lochs-Legends-Scotsmans-Guide-Scotland/dp/0008653178

My reading list included these shorter books

How Scotland Invented the Modern World.. 2nd vote for this book

Scotland's Forgotten Past, Alistair Moffat

An Anthology of Scottish Folk Tales, History Press Publishers (this has a wonderful myth of how the dreaded midgies came to be)

Culloden Tales, Hugh Allison

I actually didn’t do much background reading before my Scotland tour as usual; however I read the first few books of the 44 Scotland Street series by Alexander Macall Smith, and watched the BBC “History of Scotland” documentary series. The BBC series was wonderful and really gave me a lot of helpful background. Highly recommended. They also have a companion book for it by the host, Neil Oliver. Enjoy your tour!

I would suggest popping onto Amazon and looking for Scottish History Books for kids. There are a lot of good books of that nature.

Is there anything in particular you are interested in history and culture?

For a very light hearted look at Scottish History, try 'Horrible Histories Scotland' by Terry Deary. Although it's aimed at the kids and getting them into history but is equally enjoyable by adults too. It is factually accurate, hi=gluy entertaining and isn't wary of covering some of the less salubroius parts of Scottish history... Read about the book from the National Trust for Scotland website.

Hi, Brucewinn Roberts,

Here are three (okay, four) of the best:

Being Scottish: Personal Reflections on Scottish Identity Today, edited by Tom Devine and Paddy Logue. 2002, Polygon Press. ISBN: 1902930363

Native Stranger: A Journey in Familiar and Foreign Scotland, by Alastair Scott. 1995, Little, Brown, & Co. ISBN: 0751506044

North Coast Journey: The Magic of Scotland's Northern Highlands, by Brigid Benson. 2018, Birlinn Publishing. ISBN: 9781780275239. This 240 page book, filled with historical and geographical text, and some of the best Scottish photographs I've ever seen, should be required reading for anyone planning the NC500, or anyone who has already done it and wants to relive it.

Calum's Road, by Roger Hutchinson. 2006, Birlinn Publishing. ISBN: 9781841586779. Not so much general overview reading, but the story of one man's battle against government and nature. Required reading if your travels take you to Raasay. Or even if your travels don't take you to Raasay!

Happy reading!

Mike (Auchterless)

p.s.: Just remembered another one - Exploring Scotland with Tom Weir. 1991, Pelham Books. ISBN: 0720719941. Tom Weir was a well-known mountaineer, naturalist, and television personality. This book contains lots of history, travelogues, and gorgeous color and black and white photographs. If you find a copy in a charity shop or used book shop, snap it up!

p.p.s.: There are a couple of copies of Weir's book on eBay.

By Loch and Lin by Sorche Nic Leodhas. It's a collection of Scottish folktales more geared to adults readers.
I'm also working my way through Mary, Queen of Scots by Antonia Fraser which could be a good read if you are interested in a biography.

All good options above, and I would second the Horrible Histories series. As it is aimed at a younger audience it may simply in the language but in so many things if you want to learn a language, a bit of history, going for the stuff aimed at a younger audience does help. Lonely Planet guidebooks can also give a good overview of history.

Once you've had a look at them it can help you narrow down to some of the above.