5 comments about A Season in Dornoch : Golf and Life in the Scottish Highlands.

1. This is a lovely book about a lovely place. The author had the great good fortune to spend an entire summer in the north Scotland burgh of Dornoch, one of the hallowed locales for lovers of links golf. His stories of experiences with residents are charming, and along with reflections on the infamous Clearances of the 1800's, make this far more than a book about golf.

   As someone who cherishes the memory of a mere 2 days in Dornoch, I am green with envy, but the envy is tempered by the flood of good memories that Mr. Rubenstein brought back to me. So, I suggest: read this terrific book; also read Michael Bamberger's equally wonderful 'To the Linksland'; and finally, make it your mission to play Royal Dornoch, Cruden Bay, Macrihanish, and other splendid Scottish links. Ah..........




2. I bought the book for a lesson in golf history, but was fascinated by the ecology, history and culture of the Scottish Highlands as desribed by the author. It is also a beautifully written travelogue, poetic and mystical, and has certainly changed the way I think about golf. This book could only have been improved by the addition of photographs.



3. When I picked up a "Season in Dornoch" I was expecting something different. However, Lorne Rubenstein, with his words, has painted a beautiful landscape of the people and place that is Dornoch. I had the privledge of playing there several years ago but was on a whirlwind tour at the time and was in Dornoch for less that a day. This book does a wonderful job in showing me what I missed.
   Two things of which I would be critical. First, the focus on the Clearances. Obviously the Highlanders were hard done by this event but is was over 200 years ago. Time to put it in the past. Second, I would have liked to see better descriptions of the course itself. Many of the stories from the book are written while golfing, but there is not that much specific information on the course. One of the reasons for Dornoch's fame is it was the birthplace and training ground for one of the world's most respected course designers, Donald Ross. Showing how this course influenced Ross' later works would have added an excellent dimension to the book.
   A definite read if you enjoy golf.



4. If golf is good friend of yours, you will enjoy this book. It certainly helps to have been in Scotland to understand better much of what is written.



5. Lorne Rubenstein has written a wonderful account of his stay in Dornoch , a tiny village in the Scottish Highlands, famous for its legendary golf course Royal Dornoch.
   
   In superbly crafted prose, the Author tells of his Golfing experiences at this 'Holy Grail' of Golf Clubs, which along with St. Andrews, Carnoustie, Royal Troon, Royal Aberdeen, Turnberry, Muirfield and North Berwick is one of the most historic and revered courses in Scotland.
   
   He and his non-golf playing wife Nell meet many warm and wise locals and form a strong bond with them and the community in Dornoch. The story is so well told, both in terms of pace and content, that it makes for very enjoyable and rapid reading.
   
   Lorne is obviously already a very capable golfer but falls under the spell of golf in such a beautiful and remote location, rediscovering the shear joy of non-competitive play, the grandness and openness of the natural surroundings, the kindness and decency of Scotland's people and his own longing to reconnect with the pleasures and benefits of Golf as played in Dornoch.
   
   A highly recommended read for the golfer who has traveled, or wishes to travel to the Homeland of Golf.

No comments about Roaming Britain;: 8,000 miles through England, Scotland, and Wales.

No comments about Frommer's Edinburgh & Glasgow Day by Day (Frommer's Day by Day).

No comments about The Civilized Shopper's Guide to Edinburgh and Glasgow.

2 comments about Best Bed & Breakfast England, Scotland, Wales 2008-2009 (Best Bed and Breakfast in England, Scotland, and Wales).

1. We purchased this book in anticipation of a trip to UK. While the pictures were lovely, we didn't find many listings for the areas where we planned to visit, and I didn't find the book real easy to use...maybe it is just me. We ended up leaving it with our kids who live in UK, hoping they might find it helpful for a weekend getaway in the future.



2. I am disappointed in the subject book because the print is so light that it is extremely difficult to read. The content is excellent as usual, but I cannot understand why the print is so faint. I have purchased this book in years past and never had this problem. I would like to know the reason for this change.

No comments about Scotland, Wild & Scenic 2009 Square Wall Calendar.

1 comments about David Roberts: Travels in Egypt & the Holy Land.

1. This is not nearly as nice as another David Robert's book, Egypt: Yesterday and Today, but the images are just as beautiful, even in their reduced size. His work is truly amazing and after traveling in Egypt you really appreciate his vision of the past.

4 comments about The Creaky Traveler in the North West Highlands of Scotland: A Journey for the Mobile but Not Agile (Creaky Traveler).

1. Yes this is a travel book with advice on how to get there and what to see, but really it is a book about our nature in seeking the unusual by seeing the common in a new way. It also happens to be just plain good writing-- a joy to read and to savor, like the travels in the wilds of Scotland that the book describes.



2. THE CREAKY TRAVELER provides an amazing amount of detail (including maps) about a small part of the northwest highlands of Scotland. Mr Rovetch has a friendly and somewhat avuncular writing style which verges on the pedantic at times. He obviously kept a diary of his travels from which this text has been extracted (the minutia could only be recorded not remembered). I found some of the detail annoying for "armchair travel" but useful for objectively planning road travel in remote Scotland. After using it to plan a trip,THE CREAKY TRAVELER is the sort of book one reads a chapter a night on the road to scope out the next day's adventures.

   Rovetch and his wife Gerda who prefers the sobriquet "G" are in their late sixties-early seventies and still mobile, though as he says "not agile." Although Rovetch provides helpful hints for "older" folks, younger adventurers may find many of the suggestions useful. I bought the book because I have been seriously contemplating visiting the highlands when I travel to the UK this summer. Rovetch has convinced me road travel is the only way to go, and road travel in northwest Scotland cannot be knocked out in a few days. Also, if you truly hope to "see" anything, high summer is probably not the very best time to go.

   Rovetch suggests limiting the miles covered to under 20 per day given the condition of the roads (the path is narrow and the way is hard) and the joy of slowly savoring one of the world's most beautiful rural areas. Rovetch and G made their several week journey in May when the countryside was filled with new lambs and few tourists. The places they stayed were picturesque and relatively pricey. This is a good guide for the practical traveler.




3. The Creaky Traveler In The North West Highlands Of Scotland by experienced world traveler Warren Rovetch is a personal memoir and engaging travelogue of Britain's coastal wilderness. Penned with insight, charm, and vibrant impressions of culture, natural beauty, and the unique feel of the land itself, The Creaky Traveler is a very highly recommended, expressive, and readable Scottish Highlands guide for vacationers and armchair travelers alike.



4. This is an interesting and well written guidebook. It was mentioned on NPR I think once and it was well deserved. Finally a guidebook for active but not agile among us. A must have for any trip to Scotland.

4 comments about The Edinburgh Visitor Guide.

1. Enhanced with 66 four-color photographs, maps, and indexes, The Edinburgh Visitor Guide is an impressive travel guide which blends tradition and innovation as it showcases Edinburgh's medieval Old Town confusion of stone and spires with her Georgian New Town's ordered symmetry. The side-by-side contrasts of magnificent historic buildings with striking modern structures offers the visitor novel array of architectural delights. Additionally, The Edinburgh Visitor Guide provides a wealth of city history ranging from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, along with great museums, quaint shops, centuries-old pubs, and contemporary restaurants. If you are planning a trip that will include Edinburgh, Scotland, then be sure to take along your own personal copy of The Edinburgh Visitor Guide!



2. "Edinburgh Castle, the capital's most famous landmark, contains a wealth of interest. It houses the Stone of Destiny, the Scottish Crown Jewels (Honours of Scotland), Mons Meg, the One O'clock Gun and the National War Museum of Scotland." ~ pg. 27
   
   The medieval Old Town contrasts with the Georgian New Town as historic and modern buildings stand side by side. The Edinburgh Castle stands above all the structures in all its splendor . The Edinburgh visitors guide is organized alphabetically and there are listings for many attractions including festivals, events, castles, historic houses, ancient monuments, museums, galleries, gardens, religious buildings and outdoor activities. All the entries include information on websites, opening times and admission.
   
   Each entry is accompanied by symbols to indicate say, whether there is a tea room. When you see a coffee/tea cup there is a Tearoom/Café. Is there a picnic area for lunch or a restaurant nearby? These types of symbols are helpful to address many issues from whether there will be a nice view to "where can we park the car?"
   
   The authors have made sure this book is visually entertaining as well as intellectually fulfilling. Full-color pictures from many angles and places make this book a tour all on its own. You can truly get a sense of a place you want to visit through viewing the photographs and by reading about all the attractions you may want to see.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



3. This book is great! It talks about all the attractions in Edinburgh, and has some nice pictures! I'm going to Edinburgh in 4 months, and I will be taking this book along with me. There seems to few books on Edinburgh only, and this is a great resource!



4. This is a pretty good book - very visually appealing, has some gorgeous pics. It summarizes most of the major tourist attractions and does give some very useful info, but is in no way comprehensive. If you're needing restaurant or accommodation info, this isn't what you're looking for.

5 comments about Return of the Highlander.

1. My sister loaned me this book, but I'm afraid she won't get it back - I'm putting it on my keeper shelf! I loved it. The cover is gorgeous, the back blurb enticing, the first pages grabbed my attention and I was hooked throughout.
   
   The characters are believable and likable. The Highland setting is a favorite of mine. The story tells how the power of love bring together the heroine, Bella, and the man of her dreams -- what she thinks is her fantasy lover --the Black Maclean.
   
   I've been reading and loving time travels since the '80's and this one is a grand example. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to others by this author!



2. Who was that? Maybe a " Ghost over" Maclean and Arabella ( Bella) were a perfect match. This book had everything......Fantasy, mystery, passion, and showed such strength of character. I was even a bit scared towards the end.



3. Without going into the plot which you will be able to read from the above description, I would highly recommend this book to all who love a love story. Strong characters with indeed many flaws. So human that they make you want them to succeed, learn, grow, and love together. It is a feel good novel. Isn't that why we buy these type of books anyway ? One warrior's search. The right woman. A great romance. Maybe 4, 5, or 6 more to exact....SARA are you listening ?!! Anyway, I recommend all three of MacKenzie's 'Immortal Warrior' series...



4. I really like thse Highlander books by Sara Mackenzie. I find them fun and easy to read.I don't believe in time travel, but these books make me want to try it out.



5. This is a great series of books and a great author. This is the first book in the series and it has a lot of adventure and you never know what's coming next. I found it hard to put down and finished the book rather quickly. You'll have to read the next two for the rest of the "Highlander Men".