8 Books You Should Read Before Visiting Scotland
Looking for a good book to read? We have compiled a list of our favourite books about Scotland for you to choose from, whether you are looking for inspiration, entertainment, or just love reading!
These include a gripping best-selling crime trilogy set on the remote Isle of Lewis, an incredible love story between a fierce Highlander and a lost time-traveller, an honest account of life on a traditional croft farm, and a humorous tale of Scottish culture – and the importance of whisky!
With that in mind, put the kettle on, pour yourself a nice cup of tea, and bury yourself in one of these great books.
A History of Scotland by Neil Oliver
Scotland’s history is a complicated web weaved over thousands of years. Beginning with the nomadic hunter-gatherers who arrived here after the Ice Age, right through to the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, Neil Oliver’s book is an easy-to-understand run-through of the key events which have shaped this complex nation.
If you want to understand Scotland, this is a fine place to start.
The Outlander Saga by Diana Gabaldon
The hugely popular Outlander books have attracted many visitors to Scotland, especially since the release of the TV series. The books are ultimately a romantic love story, but one that has been intelligently set in a mystical and captivating 18th-century Scotland.
They weave historical facts of a romanticised Jacobite Scotland into the main story of Claire – a nurse in the 1940s who finds herself flung back in time. This well-researched series is full of Scots humour and has a highly compelling plot, packed with suspense, adventure and romance.
If you’d like to discover some of the locations featured in Outlander, our self-guided Outlander Tour allows you to experience the highlights of Diana Gabaldon’s series of books and the most stunning locations used in the epic TV series.
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A Sense of Belonging by Andy Hall
We all have our own favourite place in Scotland, and this book brings together those that are special to a wide range of Scottish personalities. The author interviews a number of well-known Scots about their own favourite place, and then proceeds to take stunning photographs of the places they select.
The book features some wonderful images, so, if you have ever wondered where Ewan McGregor, Ian Rankin or Colin Montgomerie’s favorite place is, then this is the book for you.
The Lewis Trilogy by Peter May
Although the Lewis Trilogy essentially is a murder mystery series, the books are a fascinating window into life on the Isle of Lewis. They give the reader a gripping insight into the ancient Gaelic culture of the island, where English is a second language for most, and the Scottish mainland can seem centuries away. The wild, ‘edge of the world’ landscape of Lewis provides the perfect backdrop for an enthralling set of thrillers.
If you’d like to visit the Isle of Lewis for yourself, our 8 night Hebridean Island Hopping holiday explores these incredible islands on the edge of Scotland.
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Skye: The Island and Its Legends by Otta F. Swire
The Isle of Skye holds a special place in the hearts of many people around the world, and even those who have never stepped on the island find themselves drawn to the dramatic, mystical landscape. This fascinating book written in the 1950s still has relevance today as it maps a route around the island, mixing mythology and local history to capture the spirit of the land and its legends. This is a great guide to the Isle of Skye, and a jolt to the imagination.
Our self-guided Escape to the Highlands itinerary spends two unforgettable nights on the magical Isle of Skye.
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I Never Knew that About Scotland by Christopher Winn
If you would like to know some fun, interesting and light-hearted facts about Scotland this book is worth a read. It creates an entertaining way for you to gain an insight into different areas of Scotland. The book is witty yet informative.
Whether you are from Scotland or you are visiting for the first time, you really will discover things you never knew about Scotland!
A Croft in the Hills by Katharine Stewart
This short book tells the true story of a family’s move from an unsatisfying and hectic life in the city to a more primitive existence in a small croft farm near Loch Ness.
Katherine Stewart writes about the joys and hardships of such a simple way of life, documenting her experience in an honest, straightforward and poetic way. It gives a unique insight into the tough but self-fulfilling life of making a living off the land you own – held strong by optimism, family, and community spirit.
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Whisky Galore by Compton Mackenzie
Set during the Second World War, this classic Scottish tale of a small community on a remote Hebridean island is filled with Gaelic wit and dry humour. War rationing and a serious shortage of whisky has brought the natives into a severe depression, but just before Lent a miracle happens: a cargo vessel wrecks with fifty thousand cases of whisky onboard!
Fuelled by “the water of life”, the locals find themselves braver than ever, and as love flourishes and the authorities lose control – one should never underestimate the importance of whisky!
If you’d like to find more about Scottish whisky, check out our self-guided Whisky Trails.
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Discover Scotland
Regardless of whether you are looking for a historical masterpiece, psychological thriller or lighthearted comedy – Scotland has been used as the settings for numerous works of prose and poetry, fact and fiction.
We all have our favourite book about Scotland, but which one will be yours?
The Absolute Escapes Team
P.S. If all of this reading has inspired you to visit Scotland for yourself, our Literary Scotland itinerary might inspire you further, as it follows in the footsteps of some of Scotland’s finest authors including Rabbie Burns and Sir Walter Scott.
