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Scottish Girls About Town
Meet the Clanswomen...
International bestselling authors Jenny Colgan, Isla Dewar, and Muriel Gray lead off this dazzling collection of stories by popular and rising Scottish women authors. A sometimes wild, sometimes poignant romp through the lives of Scotswomen, Scottish Girls About Town revels in the universal hilarity and strife of being a girl!
They're looking for something moor.
In Jenny Colgan's "The Fringes," a hapless heroine heads to the Edinburgh "Fringe" -- a massive theatrical and musical festival -- for a night of her own disastrous drama. Isla Dewar offers up "In the Garden of Mrs. Pink," one woman's look back at her girlhood and the life lessons she learned from an eccentric neighbor. In Muriel Gray's "School-Gate Mums," a single mother with killer instincts settles the score with one of the mothers at her son's school. Whether they're racing their flatmates in a weight-loss contest, reconnecting with long-lost friends, or grappling with the men in their lives, these daughters of Scotland prove that no one can top their audacious spirit and Highland charm.
International bestselling authors Jenny Colgan, Isla Dewar, and Muriel Gray lead off this dazzling collection of stories by popular and rising Scottish women authors. A sometimes wild, sometimes poignant romp through the lives of Scotswomen, Scottish Girls About Town revels in the universal hilarity and strife of being a girl!
They're looking for something moor.
In Jenny Colgan's "The Fringes," a hapless heroine heads to the Edinburgh "Fringe" -- a massive theatrical and musical festival -- for a night of her own disastrous drama. Isla Dewar offers up "In the Garden of Mrs. Pink," one woman's look back at her girlhood and the life lessons she learned from an eccentric neighbor. In Muriel Gray's "School-Gate Mums," a single mother with killer instincts settles the score with one of the mothers at her son's school. Whether they're racing their flatmates in a weight-loss contest, reconnecting with long-lost friends, or grappling with the men in their lives, these daughters of Scotland prove that no one can top their audacious spirit and Highland charm.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
15 people are currently reading
1235 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Colgan
98 books11.9k followersJenny Colgan is the author of numerous bestselling novels, including 'The Little Shop of Happy Ever After' and 'Summer at the Little Beach Street Bakery', which are also published by Sphere.' Meet Me at the Cupcake Café' won the 2012 Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance and was a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller, as was 'Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams', which won the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2013.
For more about Jenny, visit her website and her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter.
Jenny Colgan has also been published under the name Jenny T. Colgan.
For more about Jenny, visit her website and her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter.
Jenny Colgan has also been published under the name Jenny T. Colgan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 28, 2022
This is a collection of short stories written by nineteen Scottish writers. I have to be honest some of the stories were very enjoyable to read and some were disappointing at best.
Here are some of the ones I enjoyed:
In the Garden of Mrs. Pink by Isla Dewar
Abby Longmore, a lonely ten year old who befriends her neighbor, Mrs. Pink, during the summer. A wonderful humorous story about an unlikely relationship.
FriendsRevisted.Com by Carmen Reid
Emma, a married lady whose husband has left her for another lady, finally gets redemption. At the end of the story she decides to go on a long vacation with a girlfriend and leaves her two spoiled brat teenagers with her husband.
A Mised Blessing by Aline Templeton
A story about a young girl's family who spends three weeks in Mallaig helping out with her grandparents farm. The grandfather turns out to be a verbally and physically abusive father and husband. Fortunately, the grandfather dies at the end of the story due to mysterious circumstances and the young girl's family inherits the farm.
The Crunch by Carol Anne Davis
A young girl, her brother, Mark, & her mum are physically abused by Bob, their father/husband. Aunt Mina comes to visit and Bob "accidentally" falls out of the window to his death.
School-Gate Mums
Irene and her son, Thomas, has just moved to Jarrowhill to live with Irene's mum. Unfortunately, Thomas is bullied by one of his classmates, Sandy. Irene talks to Sandy's mother, Lesley, about Sandy's behavior. Lesley is offended and proceeds to reprimand Irene on being a single working mother. Irene is a secret agent and gets her revenge by exposing Lesley's cheating husband.
Here are some of the ones I enjoyed:
In the Garden of Mrs. Pink by Isla Dewar
Abby Longmore, a lonely ten year old who befriends her neighbor, Mrs. Pink, during the summer. A wonderful humorous story about an unlikely relationship.
FriendsRevisted.Com by Carmen Reid
Emma, a married lady whose husband has left her for another lady, finally gets redemption. At the end of the story she decides to go on a long vacation with a girlfriend and leaves her two spoiled brat teenagers with her husband.
A Mised Blessing by Aline Templeton
A story about a young girl's family who spends three weeks in Mallaig helping out with her grandparents farm. The grandfather turns out to be a verbally and physically abusive father and husband. Fortunately, the grandfather dies at the end of the story due to mysterious circumstances and the young girl's family inherits the farm.
The Crunch by Carol Anne Davis
A young girl, her brother, Mark, & her mum are physically abused by Bob, their father/husband. Aunt Mina comes to visit and Bob "accidentally" falls out of the window to his death.
School-Gate Mums
Irene and her son, Thomas, has just moved to Jarrowhill to live with Irene's mum. Unfortunately, Thomas is bullied by one of his classmates, Sandy. Irene talks to Sandy's mother, Lesley, about Sandy's behavior. Lesley is offended and proceeds to reprimand Irene on being a single working mother. Irene is a secret agent and gets her revenge by exposing Lesley's cheating husband.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2014
This is a great book of short stories. Great for reading right before bed. I had never heard of any of these authors but all of them wrote well. The first story I read, In The Garden of Mrs. Pink was my favorite, but the last story I read, The Six-Stone Stack was really cute. It was all about dieting. And just in case you are wondering was a six-stone is equal to, it is 84 pounds. A stone is equal to 14 pounds.
Here's a list of the stories.
1. In the Garden of Mrs. Pink
2. Country cooking Countdown
3. Something Old, Something New
4. FriendsRevisited.Com
5. Crossroads
6. A True Romance
7. A Mixed Blessing
8. The fringes
9. Angles wi' Dirty Faces
10. Happy Hour
11. The Crunch
12. Private Habits of Highly Effective Women
13. School-Gate Mums
14. The Six-Stone Stack
15. A Choc Ice Down the Shore
16. Your Time is Up
17. A Day at the Seaside
18. Silk and Straw
19. Bonny in Scotland
Here's a list of the stories.
1. In the Garden of Mrs. Pink
2. Country cooking Countdown
3. Something Old, Something New
4. FriendsRevisited.Com
5. Crossroads
6. A True Romance
7. A Mixed Blessing
8. The fringes
9. Angles wi' Dirty Faces
10. Happy Hour
11. The Crunch
12. Private Habits of Highly Effective Women
13. School-Gate Mums
14. The Six-Stone Stack
15. A Choc Ice Down the Shore
16. Your Time is Up
17. A Day at the Seaside
18. Silk and Straw
19. Bonny in Scotland
March 26, 2008
Leila Aboulela – Tale of culture shock told in disjointed fashion. The disconnected manner may have been meant to help create the feeling of displacement but I found it hard to follow. I kept checking back story to be sure I was sure of which character I was reading about.
Katie Agnew – Extreme opposites attract so need extreme help admitting their love. ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’
Abigail Bosanko – Diabolical & appropriate revenge against philandering husband.
Jenny Coglan – Dippy city girl like a half baked Brigit Jones goes to Glasgow for Fringe Festival, makes a friend after many stupid situations she works herself into. ‘Amanda’s Wedding’, ‘Talking to Addison’, ‘Working Wonders’, ‘Looking for Andrew McCarthey’
Carol Ann Davis – Serious - psychology of why people murder, dark novels & nonfiction ‘Women Who Kill’ 14 profiled female serial killers
Isla Dewar - ‘Dancing in a Distant Place’, ‘Keeping up With Magda’ This is my favorite author in this collection!
Muriel Gray – Vicious revenge implied for her child being victimized by neighborhood bully. She is international hit man not just an average ‘working mother’ so she leaves a set up to disclose all the bullies dirty secrets.
Jean Ross Ewing - Flowers Under Ice is not well written & is another overly sexed romance but she threw in a lot of interesting Scottish history.
Julia Hamilton – Coming of age with empathy for many things in the nature of becoming adult. ’Forbidden Fruits’ is another kind of coming of age even if it isn’t until middleage for the sons of the family patriarch however they do as do most of the people around them, Other People’s Rules’ this one was a darker story of corrupt power abusing children. Scottish aristocracy close class and a blind eye to the family the Earl Gatehouse. Murder mystery solved by daughter’s friend Lucy Diamond.
Morag Joss – Mother has a last lucid day with daughter. Good story but difficult style. Perhaps also to close to having lost my own mother.
Tania Kindersley – to weird so I skipped this author.
Helen Lamb – Odd incomplete tale of differences between two girls but only one girl is explained the other is left unfinished.
Miller Lau – Great vernacular. Ghost story. Dead bank robber still haunting the vault find the computers now being used in the room respond to its abilities. He ‘pays’ his favorite data typist extra by adjusting her paycheck. One good act and maybe he could rest now. ‘Last Clansmen’ series: ‘Talisker’, ‘Dark Thane’, ‘Yiska’
Shari Low – Well told tale with the male female roles reversed. She wants freedom he wants commitment. ‘What If?’
Lennox Morrison – Old friends get together for a brief reunion. Compete, backbite, but for a moment reconnect once more. ‘Re-inventing Tara’, ‘Second Chance Tuesday’,
Sain Preece – Short story about revenge for ancient juvenile insults delivered in juvenile fashion.
Carmen Reid – ‘Friends Revisited.com’ Faithless husband expects deserted wife to remain rearing the near grown children and just as boring. Instead she seeks old friends and starts anew by insisting husband share the children while she sets up for herself. Very good! ‘Three in a Bed’, Did the Earth Move?’
Manda Scott – Slightly disjointed. Lesbian friend reintroduces old acquaintances so they can be lovers.
Sara Sheridan – Two fat friends agree to diet one summer only to find the stress leads to nasty tricks played by each on the other. But all works out well and friends find they can survive even the traumas of shared dieting. ‘Truth or Dare’
Aline Templeton – Good mystery, ‘Night and Silence’, The Trumpet Shall Sound’, Past Praying For’, ‘Last Act of All’, ‘Shades of Death’ was very dark and oppressive to read since the villain was like John Fowles' ‘The Collector’
Katie Agnew – Extreme opposites attract so need extreme help admitting their love. ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’
Abigail Bosanko – Diabolical & appropriate revenge against philandering husband.
Jenny Coglan – Dippy city girl like a half baked Brigit Jones goes to Glasgow for Fringe Festival, makes a friend after many stupid situations she works herself into. ‘Amanda’s Wedding’, ‘Talking to Addison’, ‘Working Wonders’, ‘Looking for Andrew McCarthey’
Carol Ann Davis – Serious - psychology of why people murder, dark novels & nonfiction ‘Women Who Kill’ 14 profiled female serial killers
Isla Dewar - ‘Dancing in a Distant Place’, ‘Keeping up With Magda’ This is my favorite author in this collection!
Muriel Gray – Vicious revenge implied for her child being victimized by neighborhood bully. She is international hit man not just an average ‘working mother’ so she leaves a set up to disclose all the bullies dirty secrets.
Jean Ross Ewing - Flowers Under Ice is not well written & is another overly sexed romance but she threw in a lot of interesting Scottish history.
Julia Hamilton – Coming of age with empathy for many things in the nature of becoming adult. ’Forbidden Fruits’ is another kind of coming of age even if it isn’t until middleage for the sons of the family patriarch however they do as do most of the people around them, Other People’s Rules’ this one was a darker story of corrupt power abusing children. Scottish aristocracy close class and a blind eye to the family the Earl Gatehouse. Murder mystery solved by daughter’s friend Lucy Diamond.
Morag Joss – Mother has a last lucid day with daughter. Good story but difficult style. Perhaps also to close to having lost my own mother.
Tania Kindersley – to weird so I skipped this author.
Helen Lamb – Odd incomplete tale of differences between two girls but only one girl is explained the other is left unfinished.
Miller Lau – Great vernacular. Ghost story. Dead bank robber still haunting the vault find the computers now being used in the room respond to its abilities. He ‘pays’ his favorite data typist extra by adjusting her paycheck. One good act and maybe he could rest now. ‘Last Clansmen’ series: ‘Talisker’, ‘Dark Thane’, ‘Yiska’
Shari Low – Well told tale with the male female roles reversed. She wants freedom he wants commitment. ‘What If?’
Lennox Morrison – Old friends get together for a brief reunion. Compete, backbite, but for a moment reconnect once more. ‘Re-inventing Tara’, ‘Second Chance Tuesday’,
Sain Preece – Short story about revenge for ancient juvenile insults delivered in juvenile fashion.
Carmen Reid – ‘Friends Revisited.com’ Faithless husband expects deserted wife to remain rearing the near grown children and just as boring. Instead she seeks old friends and starts anew by insisting husband share the children while she sets up for herself. Very good! ‘Three in a Bed’, Did the Earth Move?’
Manda Scott – Slightly disjointed. Lesbian friend reintroduces old acquaintances so they can be lovers.
Sara Sheridan – Two fat friends agree to diet one summer only to find the stress leads to nasty tricks played by each on the other. But all works out well and friends find they can survive even the traumas of shared dieting. ‘Truth or Dare’
Aline Templeton – Good mystery, ‘Night and Silence’, The Trumpet Shall Sound’, Past Praying For’, ‘Last Act of All’, ‘Shades of Death’ was very dark and oppressive to read since the villain was like John Fowles' ‘The Collector’
August 3, 2014
I generally like short story collections. It's rare for me to read a collection where I don't enjoy most of the stories. This book was one such rarity. Despite the fact I was halfway through the book without a redeeming story, I soldiered on. I guess reading so many great short story collections has made me an optimist. It wasn't until I was 2/3 through that I found a story that wasn't mediocre and predictable. I quite enjoyed "A Choc Ice down the Shore." (It's a rather dark story, but still quite lovely writing.) I suppose they saved the good stories for the last forth of the book because there were two more stories towards the end. It wasn't that the other stories were badly written...I've just gotten used to some outstanding short stories written by some talented authors. If you pick this up I recommend skipping to "A Choc Ice down the Shore", "A Day at the Seaside", and "Bonny in Scotland."
March 28, 2020
I really wanted to like this book. The problem with collections of short stories is that some of the stories are really good. They pull you in, get you invested, and end, leaving you wishing it had been a full, standalone book.
Then other stories seem to drag on forever. They are too short to give the attention to developing characters fully enough to be relatable, and you feel like they will never end.
Such was the case with this book. Sadly, the plodding bits overshadowed the enjoyable bits, and brought the overall rating down.
Then other stories seem to drag on forever. They are too short to give the attention to developing characters fully enough to be relatable, and you feel like they will never end.
Such was the case with this book. Sadly, the plodding bits overshadowed the enjoyable bits, and brought the overall rating down.
January 29, 2020
I struggled with the characters in some of these stories, there seemed to be a lot of mid life crises! I thought Jenny Colgan’s “fringes” story disappointing and ridiculous. And then one about giving your friend laxatives! So I’d read a couple of stories, put it down and eventually pick it up again.
There were a few hidden gems. Aline templeton, Morag Joss and the last one by Katie Agnew were my favourites.
There were a few hidden gems. Aline templeton, Morag Joss and the last one by Katie Agnew were my favourites.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2017
Uneven collection of short stories by Scottish women authors. It leans heavily toward revenge fantasies and wish fulfillment stories, some seem to be first drafts, but there are a few worthwhile tales. The stories by Morag Joss, Tania Kindersley and Julia Hamilton are the rare standouts, but even those feel like rather less than the best these writers could do.
January 19, 2019
I gave this book 4 stars because there were quite a few of the stories that were just like, blah.... but it got 3 and not 2 because of s couple of suprise endings, a few chuckles and at least 2 stories that i really liked..one about dieting and the last one of the book. Go check them out!😁
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2021
Fun Scottish chick lit.
September 14, 2010
I really thought I was going to enjoy this book, but there were only a few stories I thoroughly liked. Some were awful, and some I didn't understand. (I suppose it could be my age, though I've never had a problem with that before.) Anyway, I'm glad I read it for the stories I did like, but I don't know that I'd bother with any of the others in the series.
To keep track of the books I've read, I file them, alphabetically, according to the authors. I have no idea how to do that with this book! I see they have it listed under Jenny Colgan, so maybe that's the way to go.
To keep track of the books I've read, I file them, alphabetically, according to the authors. I have no idea how to do that with this book! I see they have it listed under Jenny Colgan, so maybe that's the way to go.
Did not finish
June 14, 2015Abandoned on page 105, after reading the first 4 stories. I used to read a lot of these types of books but stopped many years ago. This one has been lurking on my bookshelves for a long time.
I struggled through the first couple of stories and decided to see how I felt after 100 pages. Bored, irritated and not willing to spend anymore time on it was the answer.
There was a time when my OCD wouldn't let me abandon a book, but after this - I'm fully on-board with the train of thought that says if it hasn't hooked you after 100 pages - move on.
I struggled through the first couple of stories and decided to see how I felt after 100 pages. Bored, irritated and not willing to spend anymore time on it was the answer.
There was a time when my OCD wouldn't let me abandon a book, but after this - I'm fully on-board with the train of thought that says if it hasn't hooked you after 100 pages - move on.
March 28, 2009
I've read other short story collections from this series: American Girls About Town, Irish Girls About Town and More Irish Girls About Town. The short stories vary in subject/theme and tone, but I generally find a few stories in each book that I love. These short story collections are a fun and quick way to sample new authors. This series of books also benefits different charities. It's nice to know that a portion of the purchase price goes to good causes.
February 15, 2012
This is the first time I've ever ordered a book for the TPL. That was pretty cool. Since they already had Irish and American Girls About Town they accepted my suggestion to order the above, and I was first on the list to get it. I didn't discover as many good authors as in the other anthologies, but a few (Isla Dewar, Carmen Reid, Katie Agnew, Julia Hamilton) really stood out. I'm looking forward to reading more from them.
June 7, 2008
these were all very engaging & well-written stories; better than the 'chick-lit' I had expected when I picked this up. While I agree they were all well-done, *my* favorites were "In the Garden of Mrs. Pink" by Isla Dewar; "FriendsRevisited.com" by Carmen Reid ; "A Mixed Blessing" by Aline Templeton and "Your Time is Up" by Tania Kindersley
September 24, 2011
I read this book while on vacation in Belize. The humidity ate into the book cover so the book looks well worn by now.
These are short stories written by Scottish female writers about Scottish women. Life is the same around the world - we just have different locale & different accents/languages.
Most of the stories were quite enjoyable. The last story left my in tears.
These are short stories written by Scottish female writers about Scottish women. Life is the same around the world - we just have different locale & different accents/languages.
Most of the stories were quite enjoyable. The last story left my in tears.
March 27, 2015
The cover and book jacket blurb make this book seem like a bunch of chick-lit-rom-com storylines set in Scotland. In actuality, most of the stories are about domestic abuse and child abuse and just not fun stuff. None of the stories are long enough to sink your teeth into; a few had some one-liners that made me chuckle, but that's about it.
April 6, 2009
This was my least favorite of the girls sbout town books. They stories just didn't come alive like the other books did and I kept hoping the next one would be better and it often wasn't. A bit of a let down.
February 11, 2009
It was cute but the accent is tough!!
May 14, 2009
I thought I had already read this, but none of the stories seemed that familiar. Anyway, a pretty nice collection of short stories by women authors, set in Scotland.
August 12, 2009
This is a collection of short stories written by Scottish women, all entertaining. Some are funny, others scary -- it's a good mix and has given me a lot of new authors to follow!
April 30, 2010
Lots of fun stories, some more memorable than others. Schoolgate Mums was my favorite.
September 8, 2016
Birthday gift from Ed. Marvelous collection of short stories by contemporary Scottish authors.
January 20, 2012
There was an assortment of stories, some sweet, some sad, and some just sort of out there, but this makes for a great read!
June 23, 2012
As with all short story collections there are some that are good, and some that you don't finish reading. No exceptional story that's worth remembering.
March 26, 2012
Loved some of the authors - would like to read more of their books. A favorite was a choco ice down attheshore by morag Joss - about alzhimers.
June 22, 2012
Read this years ago. Loved it. I had the book, I wish I hadn't gotten rid of it.
July 3, 2012
I really liked almost all of the short stories in this book. Although the cover gives the impression that they are all shallow chick lit, many of them were very well written.
July 29, 2014
Some good stories amongst some very ordinary ones!
April 28, 2008
some of these short stories were really fantastic, but unfortunately - most just were not.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews