Search Results: Scotland from Louise Aird

This is a first edition of the revised edition of Autumns in Skye, Ross and Sutherland, a travel chronicle written by the Reverend Thomas Ratcliffe Burnett (1868-1946). Burnett was a Presbyterian minister, mountaineer and lecturer in English Literature who wrote several travel chronicles on various parts of Scotland.He wrote this book in the 1920s and it was first published in 1930. He then continually updated and revised it. When he died in 1946, the son of his original publisher issued the revised version.Other copies of this revised version state 'London 1946'; this one is the original, published in Edinburgh.It is a travel book, 'exploring the Glens, Castles and towns within Skye, Ross and Sutherland'.It has black and white plates, and maps to the endpapers.198 pages. Blue boards. I don't have the dust jacket.The exterior of this book is not in the best of shape, because the person who gave it to me went on his own tour of Skye, Ross and Sutherland, and took the book with him, following… Read More

This is a copy of Bartholomew's Clan Map, produced in 1975 by the Scots genealogist Sir Iain Moncreiffe of That Ilk (1919-1985). It was produced from an original painting by the Scottish artist Don Pottinger (1919-1986).
The map features 'The Lands', 'The Arms', and 'The Crests'. The central map delineates the clan territories and is framed by an array of 170 heraldic shields along with their crests and mottoes. It is based on the clan map as it was around the time of King James VI (1566-1625).
I haven't opened this map completely--just enough to take the photos shown. Photo #2 is taken from a collector's site, which says that it's appr 38" x 29".
This map has been sitting in a drawer since 1975. There are little bits of wear to the covers and the original price tag is on it, but you can steam that off. As far as I can tell, it's in perfect condition.

This is a fascinating little book. It is one of the Cassell's Country Cookbooks, published through the 70s and hard to find today. This one is on Scottish food--it was published in 1975. It is a regional social history, from the perspective of food and eating, but there are recipes included throughout the text (see photos).It has never been used, but there are a few marks in it. It was a gift from a Scots woman and that it noted on the front endpaper. Also, the original owner wrote a recipe for Tangy Tomato Aspic on the back endpaper. And the paper is darkening, just from age.Otherwise perfect condition.

This is a first edition, with unclipped dust jacket of Castles of Scotland, by Susan Ross. It is a very well-written book, with lots of photos, giving detailed tours of Scotland's finest castles (30+).
The pages have darkened a little but it's otherwise in excellent shape. 144 pages, including photos.

NOTE: My quoted price for shipping OUTSIDE of North America is for surface mail without tracking. For other shipping options, please contact me.

This is a first edition of Clans and Tartans of Scotland, by the Scots historian Iain Zaczek. Photo #1 is from the publisher.
It is an illustrated guide to the clans, tartans and families of Scotland, with high-quality images and the histories of the clans. It begins with a brief overview of the clan system and the tradition of wearing tartan; the clans are then organized alphabetically, with special features on the major clans, such as the Stuarts, Camerons, Campbells, and Gordons.
In addition, there are dramatic color photos throughout of the Scottish landscape as well as its castles and landmarks. It also has maps of clan origins and a listing of clan associations around the world.
The dust jacket has a 1" tear in the front. The book is in mint condition.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Scotland produced many fine classical houses, with the style gaining a foothold there long before it did in England. This is the first work written on Scottish country houses and the first integrated history of country house architecture. It looks into the lives and works of Sir William Bruce, James Smith and James Playfair. Approximately 100 houses are featured and it gives a fascinating insight into furnishings and decoration.This book has not been read and is in pristine condition. Its only flaw is a small crease to the dust jacket.

This is the Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland, the first UK edition published in 1994.It contains a wealth of information about Scottish history, famous Scottish people, cities, castles, cathedrals, forts, sports and the Scottish way of life, past and present. 4000 entries, 500+ photographs.It is a big book--1046 pages.7" x 10" x 2.5"There's quite a lot of wear to the dust jacket, a touch of fading to the edges of the book and a sprinkling of fingerprints on the inside. Overall excellent condition.

The Darien Disaster refers to a series of events which took place from 1698-1700, when the Scots defied the English and Spanish and tried to establish a settlement in Panama. What transpired cost 2,000 Scots their lives and firmly marked the end of Scotland's attempt at independence. It remains a scar on the Scottish psyche.The Darien Disaster, A Scots Colony in the New World 1698-1700 was written in 1968 by the preeminent authority on Scottish history, the Canadian-English journalist John Prebble (1915-2001). It was a best-seller and was re-issued by Edinburgh's Mainstream Publishing in 1978, as a trade paperback which, oddly, has a dust jacket. It is 366 pages, including lots of images. It has one dogear and a gift inscription in the front (father to daughter) but is in excellent condition.

Note: If you are outside of North America, the quoted shipping price is for surface mail without tracking. For other options, please contact me.

This is a first edition of Dark Torrent at Glencoe, a 1960 novel by the British lawyer and crime novelist Edward Grierson (1914-1975). The dust cover, which is unclipped, is not in the best shape but is OK. The book is fine--yellow boards with green lettering on the spine. 281 pages.Here's a review:The bloody doings in Scotland in 1692 are the basis of a romance, of a historical retelling and of a deed that echoes in the names of the Campbells and MacDonalds. King William III (the Dutch King), and his demand for a sworn oath of allegiance from the clans, is not obeyed by the MacIan of Clan Donald until after its expiration date and Carnoch and other clan hamlets along the Coe River become the target for the Master of Stair who sends Captain Robert Campbell of Glenlyon with troops to wipe them out. The strategy calls for Glenlyon to quarter his men as guests of the glen while they presumably rest before they take Glengarry, who has never signed. Staying, they and the glen people become friends, work… Read More

This is a second printing of Discovering Britain & Ireland, the best-selling National Geographic coffee table book published in 1987.
It is 448 pages and contains 442 full-color panoramic photographs and 22 maps, all capturing the essence of everyday life surrounded by the rolling green hills and architecture of Britain and Ireland. This volume displays the writing quality and photographic talent that we expect from National Geographic.
Leather/ette-bound with gold latticework covering the large 12x10 5lb. volume.
Perfect condition.

In this generously illustrated introduction to the world of the Celts, Simon James charts their way of life from farming to feasting, their wars, their gods, and their superb craftsmanship in metal, wood, and stone. He covers the neglected subject of Celtic life under Roman rule, particularly in Gaul and Britain, and the continuing traditions in Ireland after AD 400, when a Celtic renaissance gave birth to heroic tales, masterpieces of enameled metalwork, and renowned illuminated manuscripts.This copy, the first reprint, is in excellent condition. There is a tiny bit of dappling to the cover and minor wear to the dust jacket, as shown.192 pages, including loads of photos and illustrations. Black and white + color.

The Fair Maid of Perth, or St. Valentine's Day was first published in 1828. It was inspired by the strange, but historically true, story of the Battle of the North Inch. It is set in Perth around 1400.
The Battle of the North Inch, or the Battle of the Clans, was a staged battle between the Chattan Confederation and the 'Clan Kay' in September 1396. Thirty men were selected to represent each side in front of spectators that included King Robert III of Scotland and his court, on what is now the North Inch Park in Perth.
The Chattan Confederation killed all but one opponent, at a cost of 19 of their own men. It is not clear whom they were fighting: it may have been their traditional enemies Clan Cameron or it may have been Clan Davidson, in an internal dispute for precedence in the Chattan line of battle in future campaigns against the Camerons.
Provenance
The inside front cover of this book bears the pre-printed book plate of Robert Treat Platt, author of Oregon and Its Share in the Civil War (1903).… Read More

This is a matching set of two historical books by the Canadian-English journalist John Prebble (1951-2001). Prebble was the preeminent authority on Scottish history. He wrote Culloden in 1962 and, in 1966, Glencoe: The Story of the Massacre. In 1996, the Folio Society published the two books together, with commissioned covers and wood engravings by the English artist Harry Brockway. The books were best-sellers and the copies I have are from the third printing.
Cloth covers with Brockway's art. Lovely creamy paper. No shelfwear. They have not been read and are in mint condition.
The stories:
Glencoe
'You are hereby ordered to fall upon the rebels, the MacDonalds of Glencoe, and to put all to the sword under seventy.'This was the treacherous and cold-blooded order ruthlessly carried out on 13 February 1692, when the Campbells slaughtered their hosts the MacDonalds at the Massacre of Glencoe. It was a bloody incident which had deep repercussions and was the beginning of the destruction of the… Read More

Two books by Sir Walter Scott, published in 1912 by Thomas Nelson & Sons, 4 1/4" x 6 1/14", bound in navy blue leatherette with plain covers and a brilliant gold design and lettering on the spine. Both are in near-mint condition.
QUENTIN DURWARD & GUY MANNERING
The first is 568 pages, the second 532.
The previous owner wrote her name on the front endpaper. She didn't read them though.
Guy Mannering has a crease to the front endpaper.
Otherwise, both are perfect. No shelf wear, no marks.
Stories
Quentin Durward, originally published in 1823, is an historical novel about a Scottish archer in the service of the French King Louis XI (1423-1483).
Guy Mannering, or the Astrologer, was published anonymously in 1815. It tells the story of Harry Bertram, who is kidnapped at age five by smugglers after witnessing the murder of a customs officer. It follows Harry's life and the struggle of the inheritance of his father's estate. The novel also depicts the lawlessness that existed at the time (1760-1780), when… Read More

This is a pristine copy of Hastings to Culloden: Battles of Britain, written by the British historians Peter Young and John Adair. It was first published in 1964; this is its 4th edition.
It is a survey of all major battles fought on British soil since the Norman Conquest. The text is based on contemporary and eye-witness accounts.
It is illustrated, with lots of maps. 294 pages, unclipped dust jacket.
With purchase, I have a copy of Scottish Regiments and Uniforms, 1660-1914. It's a 64-page illustrated guide to the regiments and their uniforms, published in 1971. It's free because the binding has come undone--all of the pages are here, but you'll have to have it re-bound. The delivery charge will change.
NOTE: My quoted price for shipping OUTSIDE of North America is for surface mail without tracking. For other shipping options, please contact me.

This is an account of the Scottish clans, their history and heritage, genealogy, relics, and homelands written by one the great Scottish eccentrics, the lawyer and genealogist Sir Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk (1919-1985). It was first published in 1967 and was a best-seller; this copy is from its 5th printing, in 1977.There is quite a bit of shelfwear to the dust jacket.Aside from darkening of the paper, the book itself is pristine.Note: If you are outside of North America, the shipping fee is for surface mail without tracking. Contact me for other shipping options.

This is the second reprint (1979) of The Highlands & Islands of Scotland, written by Allan Campbell McLean and first published in 1976. It is 14 chapters, each one on a different island, set of islands or region (see contents photo). McLean discusses the history, lore, environment--he was very familiar with these areas and includes lots of little bits of interesting information. The text is accompanied by loads of lovely photographs. 8 1/2" x 12" 160 pages. This book has not been read. Aside from the fact that the dust jacket (which is perfect) is quite loose on the book, it is in mint condition.

This is the first/only printing of Highland Bagpipe Makers, Second Edition by the Scottish historian Jeannie Campbell. The first edition was a best-seller; in this edition, she finds more bagpipe makers, expands on previously published information, and adds more illstrations. There is also a new section on people were were bagpipe makers but worked for others, and there is more information on materials.
This is a $50 book but it has had a spill. At the front of the book, there is waving to the pages, there are a few stained pages, and two pages are stuck together, at the bottom corner. Otherwise fine.

This is a rare first edition, and first/only printing, of History and Services of the 78th Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs) 1793-1881, compiled from the manuscripts of the late Major Colin MacKenzie and other official sources. It was published in Edinburgh in 1901.
I have found two other copies online, plus one copy in the Royal Collection, housed at Windsor Castle. It was two volumes; as is the case with the Royal Collection, I have volume I.
It is 231 pages, including 31 pages of plates. Of these, there are 9 chromo-lithographed color plates of uniforms after paintings by the English military illustrator Richard Simkin. There are also portraits, and lots of maps, charts and lists.
The 78th Highland Regiment of Foot was raised in 1793 by Colonel Francis Humberston MacKenzie and Lord Seaforth (Chief of the Clan MacKenzie) at Fort George, some 15 miles northeast of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. Initially a single regiment of foot, a second battalion was added a year later, but they merged in 1796… Read More

Peter Quennell's A History of English Literature is a reference book, but it is known as one that people actually read straight through.
From a review: "This book is a delight. Quennell is besotted by the English language and he presents to the reader a procession of gifted wordsmiths both famous and obscure, from the dawn of British literature to the present. You will be introduced to a full array of English eccentrics, including the poet who permitted his farm animals to roam free in his vicarage, and chose this as an opportunity to teach his pig to drink from a tankard. We travel to to the Mermaid Tavern, where Ben Johnson and Donne and Will Shakespeare met for ale. Quennell's knowledge is prodigious and his judgements are both fresh and reasoned; the text is well-illustrated."
This is a first edition, unread, unopened.
512 pages, heavily illustrated.
Outside, it is almost perfect--there is a little white spot at the top of the back cover. No dust jacket.
Inside, it is in pristine condition.