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[Julie]

We were told to buy water PROOF, not water resistant, jackets for Lewis : ). And have extra shoes to wear while another pair dries out. Our first hours in Edinburgh last time were very cold. 50 degrees, but pouring rain and wind that blew right through you - but we've lived in Chicago since 1991, so we ought to be used to that : ). Bringing a winter coat this time!

[John]

All good advice! I'm guessing you'll visit Stornoway when in Lewis - take a look in to An Lanntair (the arts centre near the harbour); they usually have a good selection of relevant books, and have a good café upstairs, and the last time we visted there was also a good Christian bookshop in the town.

[Julie]

Thank you! we will do that! We'll look for both. My husband is not a reader, but my daughter and i are, and she will love looking through book shops with me, and she is an artist, so would enjoy the arts center too (as will i).

[Peggy]

I'm making my second trip over in August. Going to visit friends again. Staying with them in Fife. Saw most of the must see things last time. This trip going to Dunnotar Castle and Slaines Castle. Spending four days in Galloway and Drumfries. Saw Glencoe last year on a very rainy day so atmospheric! Loved it! Stayed a month last year just 3 weeks this time. Have a great trip Julie!

John, your putting me to shame on the reading! I've only gotten 10 read so far for this challenge.

[John]

Hi Peggy,

Glencoe in the rain, with the clouds rolling over the knife-edged ridge of Aonach Eagach - I can feel it brooding darkly even from here.

I'm also off to Dumfries & Galloway on holiday in a couple of weeks, partly for some genealogy fact-finding.

When you visit, try to spend some time in Wigtown - about 50 miles west of Dumfries. Its Scotland's official "Book Town" (http://www.wigtown-booktown.co.uk). Over a quarter of a million books to choose from in one tiny, peaceful town - and only 10 miles from Whithorn, site of the first recorded Christian church in Scotland. Poetry, celtic mysticism, close to the sea.......what's not to love?

[Julie]

i looked it up for our trip, but it just isn't along our path. even with a month it sometimes feels like there is so little time to see what i want to see - like sutherland, orkneys, shetlands, the east coast, the borders. we're pretty much sticking to the highlands. but since a lay-by in rannoch moor as you enter the highlands, is my favorite place on earth, i am very happy that i get to go back there, and show it to our daughter. i'm going to love getting to see her paint her watercolors along our way too.

[John]

I've just finished reading The Bridge by Iain Banks. I've read it before - and it was just as good the second time around. For my next novel I'm torn between reading another Banks (which I'm almost guaranteed to enjoy) or finally biting the bullet and reading one of Sir Walter Scott's, perhaps Rob Roy

[John]

Rob Roy it is, and I've made a start this morning. (Ironically, while you readers in the States are reading Scottish books, I'm currently busy reading books on the Civil War, and on Kentucky.)

[John]

I'm now up to 19 books, and hoping to hit the 20 mark by the end of June.

[Peggy]

John wrote: "Rob Roy it is, and I've made a start this morning. (Ironically, while you readers in the States are reading Scottish books, I'm currently busy reading books on the Civil War, and on K..."

Thats funny, John! I live in Tennessee and there is lots of Civil War history around my town. I live in Greeneville and they sided with the north and there was lots of abolitionist activity here. They asked permission to fight for the Union army when TN was pulled into the war but were denied. Interesting history.

[John]

Hi Peggy,

Yes - I remember reading that East Tennessee was occupied by confederate forces during the war. I'm also currently reading an excellent book on the Appalachians - Night Comes to the Cumberlands: A Biography of a Depressed Area. I'm enjoying it so much I've already ordered one of the author's other books.

[Peggy]

I have a fantastic view of the Appalachians from my front window, John! They are magnificent. Lots of poverty though in the mountains. My mothers family are from here generations back. If you ever come to America, you've got a place to stay here!

[John]

Thanks Peggy - same offer here (although I can't compete with that view!) We have (briefly) visited the Appalachians as we friends in Lenoir, North Carolina whom we've visited a number of times, and have visited our daughter-in-law's folks in Rowan County, Kentucky. (We've also been to New York and to Florida a few times, but they don't compare to NC or Kentucky.)

[Peggy]

John wrote: "Thanks Peggy - same offer here (although I can't compete with that view!) We have (briefly) visited the Appalachians as we friends in Lenoir, North Carolina whom we've visited a number of times, an..."

I grew up in FL and don't care for it at all! Lenoir is 2 1/2 hrs. from me!

[Julie]

read 'Katherine Wentworth' by D. E. Stevenson, since it begins in Edinburgh and her walk through Princes Street Gardens in the spring. Now rereading Katherine's Marriage, which also has parts that take place in the highlands, and in Edinburgh. Should finish it soon. but i'm still not very far along in my Scotland reads! Looks like that will be my 4th, when i finish. do want to read the book i bought on skye from Mor books and crafts in Struan - Hamish's Groats's End Walk. by Hamish Brown. I already read a few pages and loved what i've read so far. He is very readable and interesting. began 'Sea Room' while there too, but haven't gotten back to it. like it too though.

[Julie]

oh, i forgot, i do have another scottish book - so i guess this one is number 4 - Mull and Iona; a photgraphic journey around the islands. I bought and was reading it in the tea shop at Glengorm Castle, while my daughter was out roaming to find and take pictures of highland cows. at that tea shop, we had one of the best things we have ever tasted. lime cheesecake, made by the woman who served us, and it was out of this world. my daughter wanted to drive all the way back the next day, for more, but i was sure they made and sold different items each day. it was heavenly. : )

[John]

I finally got round to finishing Scott by Angus Calder, and have just completed The Ephemera by Neil Williamson (as a prelude to reading his The Moon King which I started last night).
So I've finally broken the 20-book barrier - and now hoping to reach at least 30 by the end of the challenge.

[Peggy]

Well done, John!

[Julie]

At long last finished number 5 , listening to 'Katherine's Marriage', by D. E. Stevenson. Have read it many times over the years, but I almost always have a DES book going. It was great listening to Lesley Mackie's narration. She is perfect. Love having a Scot read a Scottish book, for a change.

[John]

I've finished The Moon King by Neil Williamson and The Unusual Genitals Party and other Stories by Fergus Bannon.

Next I need to finish Rob Roy; I've enjoyed it more than I'd expected to - but it feels like its taken forever.

[John]

Finally finished Rob Roy; I'm going on to Ivanhoe next, and I'm currently reading Project Fear: How an Unlikely Alliance Left a Kingdom United but a Country Divided. So I'm stlll hopeful of hitting 30.

[John]

I've finished Project Fear: How an Unlikely Alliance Left a Kingdom United but a Country Divided, and have started Break the Chains of poverty pay, casual labour, and exploitation by Richie Venton (which I reckon is book 28 of the challenge).

[John]

Have also just started an interesting oral history book today - Oh Ye Had to Be Careful: Personal Recollections by Roslin Gunpowder Mill Factory Workers.

[Julie]

i've only just gotten back to it, but LOVE the Hamish Brown book about the walk to Groat's end with his dog. just love his writing. will look for others when i finish this one. and can always remember the little book store at the back of beyond on skye, where i found the book!

[Julie]

Numbers 6 and 7 done now. Listened to 'The Blue Sapphire' and 'The Musgraves', by D. E. Stevenson. Rereads.

[John]

I've just finished Bye Bye Baby by Allan Guthrie, a Scottish Author I hadn't read before. But after reading this novella, I've immediately bought a few more of his books. (Now I just need to read Michael Connelly's new Harry Bosch book and then get back to Allan Guthrie). I'm still clinging to the ambition of hitting 30 books on this challenge.

[Peggy]

John wrote: "I've just finished Bye Bye Baby by Allan Guthrie, a Scottish Author I hadn't read before. But after reading this novella, I've immediately bought a few more of his books. (Now I just..."

I have no doubts you'll make it John!

[Peggy]

Julie wrote: "i've only just gotten back to it, but LOVE the Hamish Brown book about the walk to Groat's end with his dog. just love his writing. will look for others when i finish this one. and can always remem..."

Makes the book that much more special, Julie!

[John]

Raced through Two-Way Split by Allan Guthrie. Thoroughly enjoyed it - now on to his next one.

[Julie]

Listening to 'Young Mrs. Savage' by D. E. Stevenson, in the car now. I guess this year is just my year of revisiting all the Stevenson books I love. Have lost track of how many times I've read each of them. So I'm only on book number 8 now. I guess I spent most of this year planning, and living Scotland - with our month there : ) oh, and i found a new blog called 'Reading Scotland' Is there anywhere within the group to share blogs that the group might enjoy subscribing to? or is that permissible? i think i only subscribe to two - hers and yours, Peggy! i keep thinking i ought to start one, just for me, so that i can write down all our adventures on our trip, before I've forgotten them!

[Peggy]

Julie wrote: "Listening to 'Young Mrs. Savage' by D. E. Stevenson, in the car now. I guess this year is just my year of revisiting all the Stevenson books I love. Have lost track of how many times I've read each..."

Julie, definitely start a blog! I have met so many wonderful people blogging and found so many great books! And yes share any blog you think we would be interested in! Just start a topic in A Wee Craic. Give us the link. I couldn't find it via search engine. You would also like a blog named Pining for the West! That is Katrina's blog. She is my friend in Scotland that I go visit. I met her blogging!

[[deleted user]]

I've just completed my 25th book for the Read Scotland 2016 Challenge http://piningforthewest.co.uk/2016/09...

[Peggy]

Katrina wrote: "I've just completed my 25th book for the Read Scotland 2016 Challenge http://piningforthewest.co.uk/2016/09..."
Putting me to shame! I'm on my 21st. Not too far behind you.

[ReadingScotland]

Just joined this group and hoping to have read 20 Scottish books by the end of this year!!!!!

[John]

Two books a week? That's quite a challenge......and an incentive to the rest of us!

[John]

Finished Kiss Her Goodbye by Allan Guthrie. Now started Bad Men. I must be close to 30 by now!

[Peggy]

Reading wrote: "Just joined this group and hoping to have read 20 Scottish books by the end of this year!!!!!"

WOW! We're cheering you on!

[Peggy]

Reading wrote: "Just joined this group and hoping to have read 20 Scottish books by the end of this year!!!!!"

If you just found us count the books you've read since January 1st. Does that sound okay to everyone! Post what you've read on the bookshelf if you will so we can see if there's something we might want to read! I'm off to check out your blog!

[ReadingScotland]

Ooopps....i should have said that includes the books I've already read this year. :) I think I still need to read about 6 or so.

[John]

Two more Allan Guthrie books added to the "read" pile -

Bad Men
Savage Night

[John]

I've just double-checked my list and realized I've read 34 so far for the challenge - so I'm revising my target upwards to 40. With 7 weeks until Christmas (!), I should be able to do it. I love this challenge; it has led me to read - and enjoy - books I probably wouldn't have read otherwise.

[Peggy]

John wrote: "I've just double-checked my list and realized I've read 34 so far for the challenge - so I'm revising my target upwards to 40. With 7 weeks until Christmas (!), I should be able to do it. I love th..."

Great John! I'm so glad you like the challenge. I'll set it up to go again next year! I made my 21 but not sure how many more I'll get done. There's a vintage mystery challenge I'm taking part in and I'd like to concentrate on that now. Not sure what I've got that would fit that and Scottish authors!

[John]

Finished number 35, Kill Clock. I think I've gorged myself on fiction, and need to switch to non-fiction for a couple of books.

[John]

I've finished books 36 and 37, Slammer by Allan Guthrie and Judgement by Fergus Bannon.

Book 38 might take me a while - its Contemporary Scottish Literature (" a reader's guide to essential criticism"). But its already reminded me of some great authors to include in my list for next year's challenge - Alasdair Gray, Muriel Spark, Jeff Torrington, James Kelman, A.L. Kennedy and Janice Galloway for starters.

[[deleted user]]

I thought I was doing well, but I'm just starting number 30 - I think. I must start a list of books for next year.

[John]

Katrina wrote: "I thought I was doing well, but I'm just starting number 30 - I think. I must start a list of books for next year."

I think I might limp across the 40-book mark this year, but drawing up the list for next year has cheered me up, and reminded me how many fantastic Scottish authors - and how many wonderful books - are still waiting to be enjoyed.

[John]

Katrina wrote: "I thought I was doing well, but I'm just starting number 30 - I think. I must start a list of books for next year."

....and you are a lot more conscientious than me Katrina - I think if I were to try maintaining a blog I'd never get through my list.

[Julie]

Finished number 8 -Young Mrs.Savage by D. E. Stevenson. Now reading Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener. And Vittoria Cottage.

[Julie]

I bought these while in Scotland, and have read one a week to my grandchildren since i returned, when i go over there with homeschooling once a week. These won't count toward adult-read books, but I thought others might be interested in these picture book titles, as we have totally loved reading them. My grandson specially loved the Wee Grannie book, so I ordered him another title in the series, for Christmas. It defininitely made us both giggle! And I bring a bag with me every week that can sometimes be amazing in what i can fit into it. so here are our books:

The Secret of the Kelpie illustrated by Philip Longson, retold by Lari Don - Beautifully illustrated and very engaging adventure involving the mythic Kelpie

Wee Granny's Magic Bag by Elizabeth McKay and Maria Bogade - VERY cute and funny little book, about a granny who can pull the most amazing things from her tartan bag, for whatever need or emergency arises.

The Shepherd Boy by Kim Lewis - a nice story about a little boy who is a son of a shepherd and wants to do the same job his father does. Very gently told and illustrated.

Katie Morag and the New Pier by Mairi Hedderwick - love the katie morag books and all mairi Hedderwick's books. Also there is a Katie Morag series on dvd which is very good. the illustrations are very intricate and my 10 year old grandson loves looking across the two page spreads and seeing all the details she puts in - place locations and fun stuff going on under the water. It is all about life for a little girl on the Hebridean Island of Struan, but it is really Coll.

There Was a Wee Lassie who swallowed a Midgie by Rebecca Colby and Kate McLelland - another very fun and funny book with fantastically cute illustrations - a Scottish re-telling of the old lady who swallowed the fly. My adult daughter ordered one for an older man she knows who published his version of this book. so even if you aren't a grandparent, you might enjoy this one yourself. : )

The Utterly Otterleys by Mairi Hedderwick. - this was a cute book about an otter family re-locating. I had to read it twice before I realized what actually happened as father otter takes his otter family over hill and dale looking for a better place. It's a humorous book and my younger grandson really liked it. and that is the end of my book report for the day! i mostly brought back books from scotand! : ) maybe all these could count toward one of my adult books? if so, then I have 9 books toward my 11 goal : ) i still just might make it by the Jan. 1st deadline, since i'm reading two others right now!

[Julie]

Finished number 9 -agatha raisin and the potted gardener