Scottish Icons

The Forth Bridge has long been the number one Scottish Icon. How many other Scottish Icons can you recognize?

John Fowler, Benjamin Baker: Forth Bridge (Opus 18) When the Forth Bridge opened on 4 March 1890, it was the longest railway bridge in the world and the first large structure made of steel. Crossing the wide Firth of Forth west of Edinburgh in Scotland, it represents one of the greatest engineering triumphs of Victorian Britain, man's victory over the intractable topography of land and water. Not surprisingly, such a vigorous rebuff of the natural order was condemned at the time by those late Victorians who resisted the march of technology, and William Morris described the Bridge as the "supremest specimen of all ugliness". In response, Benjamin Baker insisted that its beauty lay in its functional elegance. Contrasting the bridge with the only comparable structure of the period, the Eiffel Tower, he concluded: "The Eiffel Tower is a foolish piece of work, ugly, ill-proportioned and of no real use to anyone." But the beauty and fascination of the Forth Bridge lies not simply in its functional performance, but in its scale and power.

The Single Malt Whisky Companion: A Connoisseur's Guide The Single Malt Whisky Companion, by Helen Arthur, is a perennial best seller and one of the cornerstone titles in the series. Previously available in hardback, this popular title is now available in flexibound format. Whisky is a well-published subject area, but Helen's experience and expertise make this comprehensive directory the definitive guide on the world's finest malts.

Let's Explore Edinburgh Old Town The Old Town of Edinburgh has everything. At the highest point is a huge castle. At the foot of the hill there's a palace. Between them are secret gardens, a museum full of toys, a statue of the world famous Greyfriars Bobby, and much more besides. There were murders here too, think of Burke and Hare. There's mystery, is preacher John Knox really buried under parking space 44? And then there are the ghosts of Mary King's Close. You can find out about all this and more in this guide. Read the tales of the Old Town, check out the short quizzes and the Twenty Questions page, all the answers are given, and you'll have plenty to see and do.

Glencoe: Monarch of Glens This exploration of Glencoe by photographer Colin Baxter and writer Jim Crumley brings their diverse and complementary talents to bear on the landscape, its story, and its controversies old and new. Colin Baxter Photographe), Jim Crumley, Writer. Colin Baxter Photography Ltd. Paperback. Glencoe Scottish Icon.

Between the Wind and the Water: World Heritage Orkney The archaeological sites of Orkney give us an unparalleled glimpse into prehistory. Inscribed as the 'Heart of Neolithic Orkney' World Heritage Site in 1999, four great monuments, the village of Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, the Stones of Stenness and the burial mound of Maeshowe, are also at the centre of the archipelago's story. Caroline Wickham-Jones looks at what makes these monuments so special. She explores the Neolithic world in which they were built, how they come to be a focus through the ages, and what they mean today. Picts, saints, Vikings, antiquarians and tourists populate Orkney's past: a history which is channelled, like the sun entering Maeshowe on the winter solstice, through these 'dances of stones'. Orkney Scottish Icon.

The Cuillin The Cuillin, on the Isle of Skye, form the finest single chain of mountains in Britain, rising straight out of the sea to a height of over 3000 feet, and presenting a landscape of light and rapidly changeable weather. This award-winning volume of photographs, taken by British photographer Gordon Stainforth, explores the savage beauty of this unique mountain region, and captures the essence of rock climbing and scrambling in the area.

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs: Including Rob Roy Country (Pevensey Guides) Loch Lomond. All information on the area's heritage, landscape, climate, flora and fauna is in this illustrated guide. From water sports, golf and hill walking, Highland games to sailing and pony-trekking there is plenty to entertain the active visitor, whereas tranquil loch-side picnics, scenic coach and car tours will appeal to those in search of relaxation. Loch Lomond Scottish Icon.

The Isle of Iona: Sacred, Spectacular, Living (Island Tributes S.) If you have visited Iona and would like a memory this is ideal; if you have never visited then this will whet your appetite. The text runs to some 20,000 words and covers the sacred history and the people of the island both past and present, the wildlife, surrounding area, and even touches on the geology. There does not seem to be any aspect of the island and its life, which has been omitted. The text is direct and very well written by someone who clearly loves the island and has expressed that in research and much hard work to do justice to a very special place to the Church in Britain. Scottish Icon.

Scots: The Mither Tongue Scots: The Mither Tongue is a classic of contemporary Scottish culture and essential reading for those who care about their country's identity in the twenty-first century. It is a passionately written history of how the Scots have come to speak the way they do and it acted as a catalyst for radical changes in attitude towards the language. Scots Language Scottish Icon.

Awa' An' Bile Yer Heid!: Scottish Curses and Insults Over the centuries the Scots have made scathingly witty remarks on just about every subject under the sun, not least one another. This collection of Scottish curses and insults reveals the Scottish gift for insult and invective. Special features include a glossary of insulting terms and notes on some celebrated insulters. For the sake of maintaining perspective, the collection also features a range of less than ecstatic comments made on Scotland and the Scots by outsiders. Scots Humour Scottish Icon.

The Island of Staffa: Its Astonishing Rock Formations Include World-renowned Fingal's Cave (Island Tributes) This book pays tribute to the remarkable Inner Hebridean island of Staffa. Its geological structure of basaltic columns, which includes Fingal's Cave, is famous around the world. As a former owner of Staffa the author is well equipped to describe not just the unique rock formations but also the natural history, the stream of illustrious visitors, and island's haunting atmosphere. He describes how people have managed to reach this rather inaccessible attraction throughout the two centuries since it's discovery.

St Kilda: Island on the Edge of the World For more than 2000 years the people of St Kilda remained remote from the world. Its society was viable, even Utopian; but in the nineteenth century the island was discovered by missionaries, do-gooders and tourists, who brought money, disease and despotism. St Kildan culture gradually disintegrated and in 1930 the few remaining islanders asked to be evacuated. St Kilda Scottish Icon.

The Book of St Andrews Its ecclesiastical significance dates as far back as the fourth century, when St Regulus is claimed to have brought the relics of the saint there; its cultural importance dates from the early fifteenth century, when the world-famous university was founded there. More recently, since the seventeenth century, it has been well known as a centre for golf. This selection of short stories and essays is a wonderful literary celebration of this historic and venerable city which explore the multiple facets of its life and history It includes contributions from a wide range of authors, including A.L. Kennedy, Robert Fergusson, Alastair Reid, Ian Rankin, Samuel Johnson, Robert Burns, Don Paterson, Robert Louis Stevenson, Edwin Morgan, Hugh MacDiarmid, Willa Muir, Douglas Dunn, Anna Crowe, Meagan Delahunt, Seamus Heaney, Rudyard Kipling, Kathleen Jamie, Liz Lochhead, J.M. Barrie. St Andrews Scottish Icon.

Hebridean Light A collection of colour photographs of the Hebrides by photographer Gus Wylie. For his monochrome work, Wylie has been acclaimed by author Michael Russell as 'The best modern photographer of the Western Isles'. This collection is a lyrical exploration of the possibilities that colour offers: a sense of time, and place a feel of the unique atmosphere and light that can only be found in the Hebrides; of the extraordinary quality of translucent water upon the freshness of white unpolluted sands. A collection using pairs of images on double page spreads: comparing, for example, the colours of earth lichen and water in one shot with an image of a crofter weaving tweed in Harris. A magical, beautiful collection acknowledges the incredible sensual pleasure of the environment of Scotland . Scottish Light Scottish Icon.

Tartans of Scotland: An Alphabetical Guide to the History and Traditional Dress of the Scottish Clans Tartans, with their unique combinations of attractive colours and intricate designs, are universally popular. They have a long and fascinating history linked with Scottish clans and families and survive today as symbols of Scotland's rich heritage. Large amounts of tartan fabric are woven for clothes, souvenirs and other items and new tartans are designed every year. Tartans of Scotland is a concise guide to over 140 tartans, including the main clan and family sets. The directory lists the tartans in alphabetical order, providing information on the earliest origins of each one, its current status and type, and details of historical and clan connections. The book provides an easy reference guide for identifying tartans and also explains how these beautiful designs are linked to the history of Scotland and the Scottish people. Scottish Icon.

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