Scotland: Seven Books to Read Before You Go
While nothing quite compares to seeing the Scottish Highlands, Hebrides islands, and historic cities in person, books can be a great way to travel through your imagination and learn more about Scottish people, history, and culture. Not only that, but reading a few books about Scotland and by Scottish authors can help enrich your next vacation to this beautiful country. With a rich and long history, there are plenty of stories to hear about the Scottish people, from the time of the Picts, to clashes with the English, and on to modern times.
If you’re not into history, don’t worry — there’s something for everyone on this list! There are some great works of fiction that take place in or have come out of Scotland, too.
Read on for seven books to read about Scotland. And leave your own recommendations in the comments!
Stone of Destiny
Used for centuries during the coronation of Scottish kings, the Stone of Destiny is a sacred object to the Scots. In 1296, it was taken by King Edward I of England and brought down to Westminster Abbey to be used in a new throne. This only increased the rift between many Scots and their English neighbors, as many Scots believed — and still do — that the Stone of Destiny belongs in Scotland, its home. Nevertheless, the Stone sat in Westminster until 1950, when it was stolen and taken back up to Scotland by four Scottish students. It now rests in the Crown Room at Edinburgh Castle, except when it’s brought to Westminster Abbey for a coronation.
The book Stone of Destiny is written by one of those students, Ian Hamilton, and gives a firsthand account of their preparation, the act itself, and how the stone got from Westminster Abbey in London up to Arbroath Abbey. The book has also been turned into a movie, if you’d prefer to watch the story rather than read it.
Whiskey Island: A Portrait of Islay and Its Whiskies
If you’re a scotch connoisseur and a history buff, Whiskey Island may be the book for you. Islay is part of Scotland’s Southern Hebrides and is not only one of the more rustic and beautiful places in Scotland, but also home to nine scotch distilleries. Islay scotch is world renowned because of its distinct peaty or smoky characteristics. Not only that, but Islay itself has a rich and interesting history that has helped shape modern day Scotland.
Chapters alternate between covering key points of Islay’s history, including how whiskey came over from Ireland via Islay, and telling the stories of each of the seven distilleries open at the time of the book’s original publishing.
Previously published as Peat, Smoke & Spirit in 2005, the updated version includes a new foreword that touches on changes to Islay’s distilleries since the original publication.
A History of Scotland
If you’re looking for a book about Scotland’s rich history that’s both approachable and informative, A History of Scotland has you covered. A lot has happened over the course of Scottish history — it’s an old country whose people have endured Viking invasions and English rule while still maintaining their own culture and individuality.
Many people are familiar with key figures in Scottish history, including Mary Queen of Scots and the Jacobites, but not everyone knows the full story. As a Scottish archaeologist and historian, Neil Oliver brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.
You can also watch the 10-part TV series A History of Scotland, which aired on BBC.
The Hidden Ways
For a more unique take, The Hidden Ways is an exploration of Scottish history and culture through walking roads that have made an impact on the country’s history. Part travel book, part history book, Alistair Moffat writes with an easy, approachable voice and shares key stories from Scotland’s history, through the lens of roads and walkways. He also throws in some of his personal thoughts about how the way of life in Scotland has changed over the years.
With numerous books about Scotland’s history, culture, and people, Alistair Moffat offers a wealth of knowledge about his country. If you read and enjoy The Hidden Ways, you can also explore his other books about Scotlands history, clans and more.
The Anthology of Scottish Folk Tales
Every culture has their own set of folk tales and Scotland is no exception. Many of these tales helped build the foundation of Scottish customs and beliefs. At the start of The Anthology of Scottish Folk Tales is a map showing where each of the included tales originated, so you can focus on a certain region of Scotland or just read straight through.
As you read, you’ll enjoy stories about the formation of islands, an origin myth of Highland midges, and tales of fairies and talking birds.
Be prepared to read a bit in Scots — an indigenous language of Scotland, which has evolved alongside modern English — as some stories are written in it. Don’t worry, it’s similar enough to English that it’s not difficult to follow and understand.
Outlander
Magic stone circles, time travel, and Highland clans — what more could you ask for? If you enjoy historical romance, the Outlander series is for you. Claire, a former British combat nurse, is drawn to a stone circle in Scotland, where one touch sends her back in time to the mid-1700s. There, she meets Jamie Fraser and finds herself living through key moments in Scottish history.
Eventually, she finds herself torn between the man she left behind in 1945 and the man she’s met in the 1740s — and torn between two completely different periods of time.
While it’s a romance novel at heart, Diana Gabaldon weaves that storyline through the rich history of Scotland. You’ll find the story jumping from emotional connections to thrilling historical events and find yourself learning more about Scotland’s history, culture, and customs.
Harry Potter
While Harry Potter himself is English, there are deep ties to Scotland in the Harry Potter series. Most likely, you’re familiar with the plot, which revolves around Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione. Harry himself is an orphan forced to live with his aunt, uncle, and cousin, who dislike anything to do with magic. Then he finds out he’s a wizard and spends most of the next few years at Hogwarts, where he learns about spells, potions, and magical creatures — and finds himself battling Voldemort and his supporters.
The exact location of Hogwarts castle isn’t known, it’s believed to be in Scotland. Glenfinnan Viaduct, located just west of Fort William in Scotland, is used in the movies for shots of the steam train heading to Hogwarts. There are also several places in Edinburgh you can visit that are believed to have inspired names in the series or where she wrote part of the books, including Greyfriar’s Kirkyard and The Elephant House.
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