1 comments about The Malt Whisky Map of Scotland.

1. If you are a single malt man or woman, you will love having this map! If you are just learning about single malts you will find it very helpful to keep straight the places it's made. If you a re a seasoned single malt fan you may end up using this map to plan your trip to the land of the thistle to see for yourself and to sample a wee dram.
   Happy map reading while you enjoy a tipple.

3 comments about Castles: England + Scotland + Ireland + Wales.

1. I really wanted a nice comprehensive book about this subject. This is a wonderful product but the only thing I would suggest to make this a 5 star book would be more intensive pictures. There are a lot (multitudes in fact) of places, castles, ruins that are simply listed with no pictures or in-depth facts to accompany the listings. That was somewhat disappointing.



2. 
   Firstly what a wonderful name for an author of such a book, secondly what a wonderful book he has written. The British Isles is littered with castles of varying sizes and in various states of repair, or disrepair as the case may be. This book attempts to give you a guided tour of some of the best and there are far more than you think that are complete or almost complete.
   
   Many of the most famous castles in our history have crumbled to little more than a pile of stones and we can only romanticise about how they looked, who built them and lived there and the events that occurred during their long history
   
   But on the reverse of the coin we have castles that are still inhabited even today and one of the oldest, the tower of London is still in an excellent state of repair. Windsor is inhabited by the Queen and Warwick Castle and Leeds Castle look almost as good as the day they were built.
   
   In Scotland, Edinburgh and Stirling have stood the rigours of time and Caernarfon Castle in Wales is a legacy of Edward I, being built on the site of what was a Roman fortress and then a Norman motte and bailey. Another Welsh castle in the beautiful town of Conway has not stood the test of time so well, but the superstructure is more or less still there. There is something magical about a castle when you are inside it. Perhaps it is the presence of long dead residents, or the mighty deeds and events that happened within those enormous walls. Whatever it is this book helps to bring to life our history with a profusion of photographs and information galore. Almost everyone likes a Castle and this book takes you on a enchanting tour from ruins through to the splendour of a fully preserved structure.



3. My husband and I just returned from an amazing trip through England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, so this book seemed like the perfect Christmas gift for him. The book has beautiful photographs of some of the best known castles, however I was a little disappointed that the information on each castle was minimal. I was hoping for a little more background history on each one. I was also disappointed that our favorite, Ross Castle in Killarney Ireland was not included. Overall, it will make a nice keepsake to remember a trip of a lifetime, and I'm sure will have a place of honor on our coffee table for some time.

5 comments about Blasted Heaths and Blessed Green: A Golfer's Pilgrimage to the Courses of Scotland.

1. My husband and I are planning our once-in-a- lifetime pilgrimage to Scotland in July 1999. So far, this is the best and most comprehensive book we have read regarding the courses recommeded to us by our travel agent. Other books only highlighted the most famous courses (British Open quality) and left out many of the "less famous" but equally charming golf courses available to the public.



2. A friend gave me this book as a gift just before my first golf trip to Scotland. I played 10 of the 40 courses he reviewed. I read the entire book before the trip but enjoyed it much more after having played the courses. Many great tips in the book, as well. For example, we stayed in a Bed and Breakfast in Gullane and the author mentioned a restaurant there which he considered the best in Scotland. He is correct and we would have missed this wonderful experience without his book. His descriptions of many of the golf holes on the courses he covered were just great. For the golfer who enjoys the British Open and the Ryder Cup, this book will be delicious.



3. Blasted Heaths is a true gem of a book. James Finegan literally knows the country - its golf, its people, its nature - like the back of his hand. You get expert, finely crafted, hole-by-hole reviews of over sixty courses. As a added bonus, there are restaurant reviews and lodging suggestions.

   The book is divided into geographical regions and is helpful in helping you lay out your agenda. Sure, you know to play St. Andrews, Troon and Turnberry, but the book helps you go beyond the usual brand names.

   An example of how 'Blasted Heaths' can pay off: Gleneagles is quite the amazing golfing experience, but perhaps a bit too steep in the wallet for this 20+ handicapper. Finegan points out a course right next door (Auchterarder G. C.) that, while certainly not in Gleneagles class, has a 'handful of first-rate holes' at about one-third the cost. A great recommendation! Not the holy, near-religious experience Finergan associates with Royal Dornoch, Cruden Bay, and Machrihanish and others, but it shows that the book can be used for all levels (skill and monetary) of golf.

   My one recommendation (seconded by Finergan) is that you spend a couple of days in St. Andrews and soak up the environment. There's enough golf to keep you there for 3+ days, and the town itself has a real university feel and exudes charm and history. I suggest staying out of the hotels and setting up in one the many cozy guest houses a block or two from The Old Course. My wife and I stayed at the Craigmore House (ph: 334-472-142). You'll need a reservation, but it's well worth your planning ahead.




4. As others have said this is a great book to have if you are going to take a golfing vacation to Scotland. Mr. Finegan provides wonderful information about many diferent course. I enjoyed reading it before I went and even more after I returned and played a number of the courses. Would love to return some day to play the ones we missed!!!



5. Above all others that I have read (and that about includes them all)Finegan's books are absolutely essential while planning (and during) a trip to Scotland or Ireland. My trips to both countries were enhanced immensely by these wonderful texts. Finegan is a great writer in the old style--passionate, elegant, grandiose in the best possible sense. His enthusiasm and love for the game, the royal and acient game, are infectious and tempts one to follow in his footsteps when he advises, for example, to deplane in Shannon, drive the hour to Lahinch, and strike the first shot up that glorious sandhill even before one has checked in The Greenbrier Inn or some such place. I still relive, years after my trips, the great times on the brilliant links by reading Finegan, and dream of going back.

2 comments about The Most Beautiful Villages of Scotland.

1. Hugh Palmer's "The Most Beautiful Villages of Scotland" is a coffee table-type book providing short photographic essays on approximately 35 very attractive Scottish villages. The photography is absolutely stunning; the accompanying narrative provides a sense of what might be unique and interesting about each selected village. Many villages, for example, contain unique styles or mixtures of styles of architecture. Some others may contain an ancient castle or are located in the wild highlands. The villages themselves are broadly representative of the Scottish Lowlands, Highlands, and Islands. There is a short section on travel information at the end.
   
   This is not your typical travel information book in that it is not meant to provide the basis for planning a vacation in Scotland. It may be useful to the traveler who is already familar with Scotland and looking for new and different places to visit. It may also be useful as a book of memories for those fortunate enough to visit some of the remarkable locations depicted in the book.
   
   This book is recommended to those who cherish their memories of rural Scotland, and to those who want to build some memories.



2. Wonderful book with pictures of the beautiful vilages of Scotland. The book was bought for my 98 year old father who relived his life as a boy when he traveled around his homeland, Scotland. He said the scenes were just as he remembered them to be.

1 comments about Rebus's Scotland.

1. Not your typical coffee table travel book, Rebus's Scotland shows the "other" Scotland, the one more familiar to Rankin's fans. Mysterious ancient buildings, fascinating natural wonders, it's all here for your exploration. Anyone heading to Scotland or anyone who has visited there or would like to visit there should get this book.

2 comments about Best Castles - England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales: The Essential Guide for Visiting and Enjoying.

1. I am a big fan of ruined castles. I like ancient, crumbling old buildings from times long past. There are many such castles in the British Isles, but there are also many more "modern" castles, built hundreds of years after the medieval period, filled with sumptuous carpets and luxurious wall coverings and such. I can see the allure of these castles for some people, but they do not hold the same wonder for me, and when I am paying a lot of money to visit a foreign country, I want to optimize my experience as much as possible.
   
   This book is wonderful because it lets me do just that. Many guidebooks (I use the Let's Go and Rough Guides) do not differentiate between different kinds of castles, and offer a brief description of each one. It's hard to know what you're getting into before you actually arrive. With this book, you can get a preview of each castle, so you're never surprised. I mentioned my personal love of ruins, but this book is great for any taste, or just the curious.
   
   The information on each structure is sparse, and much attention is paid to the glorious full color photographs. I never got the impression this book was trying to be the authority on castle information however, and I think it succeeds admirably at its chosen task. It is a good supplemental guidebook if you're interested in the topic.



2. Gorgeous photos, nice descriptions, but too short & not detailed enough. It would also have helped to have had captions under the photos; I frequently couldn't tell what I was looking at. I also wished it were longer. Overall a worthwhile book if a little on the shallow side.

5 comments about Scotland and its Whiskies: The Great Whiskies, the Distilleries and Their Landscapes.

1. I got hooked on single malt scotches a few years ago--not hooked in an AA "higher power" sense--but hooked on sipping and savoring Balvenie, Oban, Cragganmore, and others.

   As an adoptee who recently learned of his Scottish heritage, this handsome book with its lovely pictures of the highland countryside makes me proud. The Scottish have given the world the telephone (Graham Bell), the bicycle (Dunlop), the game of golf (St. Andrew's), cloning (Wilmut), penicillin (Fleming), and capitalism (Adam Smith)...not to mention some fabulous hooch

   Our author is a foremost specialist on the subject of single malts discussing the subtle differences based on barrel-wood and mineral earth that make each scotch unique to its region. Besides, with someone like Michael Jackson says a 12 year old is tastier than a 16 year old, you better believe him.




2. An excellent book about my favourite all time drink! That's how I would describe this well written, beautifully photographed and intricate journey through Scotland, describing its whiskies.
   
   Working together, Jackson and Wright have put together a combined piece of verbal and photographic artwork. The information provided is very educational, but enjoyable, with historic and technical information entwined with Jackson's fireside conversational style making this a pleasure to read. I can't reproduce the photography but I can give you a sample of the style of writing from page 63:
   
   "After I had breathed the air of early Christianity and Celtic myth, the journey back was slow. It was not just the two hours' drive from Fionnphort to Tobermory, the main town of Mull, but also the otherworldliness of the landscape."
   
   This book has been broken up with the chapters as follows: Overture; The Islands; The East; Coda; Directory of distilleries; Glossary, Index and Acknowledgements. I liked the maps each section had that showed where distilleries were either operating, operating with visitor centre, mothballed or operating intermittently; or closed. This information would come in handy if you are planning on visiting the areas yourself.
   
   `Scotland and its Whiskies' is the perfect gift for that special person who has everything (including you!). It is an informative and enjoyable read; while pleasing the eye at the same time.



3. This is a quality production. The photos and the descriptions are fantastic. I found myself pouring a glass of scotch from whichever region I was reading that night, ie. Islay, Speyside, etc, and enjoying the dram more than usual.



4. This book was purchased along with MJ's 5th Edition Whisky guide. I found it an excellent read while enjoying a nice glass of single malt. The pictures are beautiful and MJ's commentary make me want to visit Scotland and tour the distilleries myself.



5. Robert Burns said of his bottle "...heals the wounds o' care an' dool." With that simply profound (and true) statement, I believe that he would have approved of Michael Jackson's beautiful portrait of his beloved Scotland and the honoring of the "water of life" that courses through the rite Scottish soul and his precious bottle. It's not just only "wee dram" - it's a taste of the culture, the people, the history, and the landscape, which this book captures. Enjoy your single malt, I know I do...
   Slainte

No comments about Karen Brown's England, Wales & Scotland, Revised Edition: Exceptional Places to Stay & Itineraries 2008 (Karen Brown's England, Wales & Scotland Charming Hotels & Itineraries).

1 comments about Lonely Planet Edinburgh Encounter (Lonely Planet Encounter Series) (Best Of).

1. Great guide book that will fit easily into a backpack or other bag. Hits all the highlights without the history and other info in larger, heavier travel guide. Grab one for each city you plan to visit and take them with you!

5 comments about Knight's Legacy.

1. Catherine Terril, "Cat", is thrown back in time by Merlin, who she believes is an actor on the movie set where she is working as a stuntwoman. She falls through time and into a Scottish lake, where she is captured by two Highlander outlaws. Since she looks like their runaway sister, the outlaws force her to go through with an arranged marriage which will grant their outlaw father clemency from the King.
   
   Roderick is an Englishman who has sworn allegiance to the Scottish king. It is up to him to marry the outlaw's daughter and secure the future of the downtrodden clan.
   
   This is a medieval romance with grit. This is the Middle Ages as they really were, full of alliances and enemies, hard choices and rough lives. And yet in all of that, it is full of fascinating characters, such as Kenneth, the mute, fey boy who protects Catherine. Cat's 20th-century sensibilities are put to the test in this medieval world. A 20th-century woman accustomed to defending herself; intelligent, athletic, and headstrong, she is ill suited to play the meek medieval bride.
   
   Roderick, an English lord raised by the Scottish king, is also not what you would expect. A fierce warrior, he is also a very gentle man. His beliefs are called into question by Cat's constant contravention of his will. A medieval woman wouldn't talk back to him. A medieval woman wouldn't ride to an enemy stronghold to help the enemy Laird's wife give birth. A medieval woman wouldn't respond to him like she does in bed. It takes a while for him to understand that she is not a medieval woman. Thank God.
   
   Since Roderick's new clansmen know Catherine is not who she pretends to be, they find her actions even more inexplicable. Soon her use of 20th-century knowledge to save a child's life brings on her the accusation of witchcraft.
   
   Roderick must decide who to believe, and who to protect. And Cat must decide where she wants to live; in the world she was born to and understands, or in the mysterious past with the man she loves.
   
   The sex is hot, the history is real, the people are complex and believable. Don't pass up this opportunity for a good time travel romance. As Merlin says: "Follow your heart."



2. During a shoot on location in Scotland, stuntwoman Catherine `Cat' Terril runs into a Merlin look-alike who advises her to follow her heart. Feeling certain that she was to be a victim of a practical joke, Cat follows the lavender mist and ends up in the year 1230. Cat is immediately captured and told that either she is to pretend to be Brianna Mackay and marry some English lord or she would be killed.
   
   Roderic de Montwain is not pleased at all to be ordered to marry Brianna but as his King orders so he obeys. Upon seeing Brianna for the first time though Roderic is struck by her beauty; that is until she demands to have her sword returned to her. Roderic comes to find that Brianna is definitely not your typical Lady, as she can ride like she is one with the horse but has no idea how to sew or cook. And she refuses to answer his questions as too why!
   
   KNIGHT'S LEGACY by Ms. Sumter is a gem of a love story! As Cat gets to know Roderic she is willing to give up all she knows, all modern conveniences such as cell phones and microwaves just to remain by his side. There are difficulties as Cat has been raised in a time where women are a man's equal and she goes back to a time where they are nothing more than property. However, Roderic is an honorable man who is very gentle and loving with his wife. He would stand out as a hero in any time period!
   
   KNIGHT'S LEGACY will sweep the reader away to the Scottish Highlands where they will become immersed in the politics, beliefs and the cooking styles of the 1200's. This reviewer has only one complaint about the tale and that was that a character's name changed in middle of the story with no explanation. Other than that, Ms. Sumter has done such a wonderful job of drawing the reader into the story that when this reviewer's cell phone rang there was a moment of total confusion trying to determine where and what that sound was. KNIGHT'S LEGACY comes very highly recommended for any reader who enjoys medieval or time travel romances. Get your copy today and you are sure to not be disappointed!
   
   Reviewed by Shaiha
   Courtesy of Love Romances



3. An old man (Merlin look alike) tells Cat to follow her heart. Only she never expected it to land her in the thirteenth century. She is kidnapped, threatened and forced to impersonate Brianna McKay, a ruthless outlaw's daughter.
   
   Roderic de Montwain doesn't want to marry Brianna but it has been ordered by the King to do so. Once he lays eyes on his bride-to-be (which is really Cat), he finds that the prospect of marriage doesn't seem so bad.
   
   Cat is an independent woman and has difficulty adjusting to the way a lady of the castle should behave, but Roderic is patient, and soon Cat falls in love with her brave and honorable husband.
   
   Roderic hears whispers that his wife is mad. He is aware that her actions are unconventional, but he finds her intelligent, kind-hearted and intriguing. He hopelessly looses his heart to her.
   
   Not everyone wants this couple to live happily ever after, and treachery is afoot. Roderic must find out who is behind the conspiracy to harm his wife and start a clan war before it is too late, while Cat is faced with the prospect of returning to her century and leaving behind the only man she has ever loved.
   
   Ms. Sumter gives detailed descriptions of the Scottish Highlands and the way they lived in the thirteenth century. Her secondary characters, Glyniss, the healer; Kenneth, the fey-taken; and Gavin, Roderic's trusted man are likable and add to the story as well. This is truly enjoyable read!



4. This book is part of those rare time-travel romance novels to cherish and enjoy. I recommend this book to anyone who are fanatics of time-travel romance novels, you won't regret it ^_^



5. This book is a truly wonderful book. You grow to love Cat and Roderick through the book, and the Scottish speech brings you back to the old days. Knight's Legacy is a must read for anyone who enjoys the medieval times and romance. I can't wait to see Trenae's next published book, I know that she is a talented writer and I imagine it will be even better than her first!