Scotland and the Scottish Diaspora
"It's part of me, Scotland. I'm still immersed in it even though I am not there." -- Irvine Welsh (1958 - ), Scots novelist, short story writer, playwright, author of Trainspotting among many other works).
All my life I have been interested in the history of Scotland and the profound consequences of the Scottish diaspora throughout the world. Scotland and the Scots are appealing in so many ways -- the beauty of the land- and seascapes, the food and drink, the extraordinarily resourceful and creative people, the dramatic history from antiquity to the present, the great literature and history and philosophy and religion. The subjects are themselves enough to inspire writing, but there is great satisfaction in the fact that the Scots have lived up to the subjects on their own writ.
Over many years I have researched the history of Cumberland Valley, and I have often talked about the Scots, the Scots-Irish, and the settlement of this part of the New World by these willing and not-so-willing exiles. In recognition of the history and significance of the Scots to our area, I fly the Saltire and carry these books and cds. I am always on the lookout for more.
P.S. Due to listing limitations, I have moved Ian Rankin and Denise Mina, two fine writers of the Scots Noir movement, over to our International Mystery page.
Scotland Her Story: The Nation's History by the Women Who Lived It
Scotland Her Story: The Nation's History by the Women Who Lived It
‘A portrait of this country through the centuries, a really fine book, and an important one’ – Peter Ross, The Afternoon Show, BBC Radio Scotland
‘Iconic women dominate [non-fiction] [including] closer to home, Rosemary Goring’s Scotland: Her Story' – Sunday Post, Books of the Year
Scotland’s history has been told many times, but never exclusively by its women. This book takes a unique perspective on dramatic national events as well as ordinary life, as experienced by women down the centuries. From the saintly but severe medieval Queen Margaret to today’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon, it encompasses women from all stations of class and fame and notoriety, offering a tantalising view of what happened to them, and how they felt. Drawing on court and kirk records, exchequer rolls and treasurer’s accounts, diaries and memoirs, chap books and newspapers, government reports and eye-witness statements, Scotland: Her Story brings to life the half of history that has for too long been hidden or ignored.
Features material by from a hugely diverse range of authors, including:
The Maid of Norway • Princess Matilda • St Margaret • Margaret Tudor • Mary, Queen of Scots • Lady Grizel Baillie • Elsie Inglis • Mary Slessor • Catherine Dickens • Jane Carlyle • Lesely Riddoch • Catherine Carswell • Marie Stopes • Nan Shepherd • Leila Aboulela • Sue Black •Mary Contini • Rona Cameron • Elaine C. Smith • Jessie Kesson • Winnie Ewing • Muriel Spark • Liz Lochhead • Lulu • Janice Galloway • Jackie Kay • Ali Smith • Liz McColgan • Judy Murray • Nicola Benedetti • Nicola Sturgeon
Rosemary Goring was born in Dunbar and studied at the University of St Andrews. After graduation, she worked at W&R Chambers as a reference editor before becoming literary editor of Scotland on Sunday. She is currently literary editor and columnist for The Herald and Sunday Herald.