Modern Scottish Collections

Scottish interest publications recently added to the collections at the National Library of Scotland include The art of modern tapestry: Dovecot Studios since 1912 edited by Elizabeth Cumming and published by Lund Humphries. This beautifully illustrated volume celebrates one hundred years of the Edinburgh based Dovecot Studios tapestry workshop and gallery.

To Auckland by the Ganges, edited and introduced by Robert M. Grogan, tells the story of a Scottish family’s emigration through the journal kept by David Buchanan during his three and a half month voyage from Gravesend to Auckland. David Buchanan, a Scottish journalist, sailed to New Zealand with his children on the ship ‘The Ganges’ in 1863. During the voyage he kept a diary, which was published in the Glasgow Herald twice weekly. Published by Whittles, this book makes accessible Buchanan’s fascinating journal entries on life aboard a mid nineteenth century sailing ship.

Bevel is a collection of poetry in English and Scots by Scottish poet William Letford. William also works as a roofer and recently received a New Writer’s Award from the Scottish Book Trust which allowed him to spend three months in Northern Italy helping to restore a medieval village. Bevel, published by Carcanet Press, is William’s debut poetry collection.

Tearoom delights : a little guide to delightful tearooms of Perthshire, Angus and Dundee by Lorna McInnes allows the reader to discover the most charming tearooms in this part of Scotland. Published by Teacups Press, this book reviews the tearooms whilst also providing practical information such as opening hours and location.

Last summer we added to the collection some lovely Robert Burns works by the lettering artist Liz Mathews .

Today’s blog entry from Liz Mathews gives a great impression of the delights hidden within the covers of these Robert Burns inspired artist’s books.

A good selection of Scottish interest material was received by the National Library of Scotland this week, including John Byrne: art and life by Robert Hewison. Scottish artist and playwright John Byrne is perhaps best known as the writer of the award winning television series Tutti Frutti and acclaimed plays such as The slab boys. However, Byrne is also a successful artist and during his career has designed record covers and book jackets as well as theatre sets. This illustrated account of Byrne’s life and work examines the substantial contribution he has made to the literary and visual arts in Scotland. John Byrne: art and life is published by Lund Humphries. You can read more about John Byrne and his play The slab boys on our 12 key Scottish plays web feature.

Golf on the rocks: a journey round Scotland’s island courses by Gary Sutherland (published by Hachette) follows the author as he travels around the Scottish islands playing golf on some of Scotland’s lesser known and most remote golf courses in locations such as Arran, Skye, Orkney and Shetland. As well as describing the golf courses, the author also gives a general account of his travels and the people (and animals) he encounters both on and off the course. You can read more about Scottish golf on our Golf in Scotland web feature and find many references to items about golf in Scotland on Scottish Bibliographies Online.

The work of celebrated Scottish Gaelic poet Sorley MacLean is the subject of Peter Mackay’s book Sorley MacLean, published by the Research Institute for Irish and Scottish Studies. An English language introduction to MacLean, this book examines his poetry in cultural and historical context, providing in depth analysis of several key works.

Sorley MacLean’s Dàin do Eimhir agus Dàin Eile is regarded as the most important 20th century work in Scottish Gaelic. Sangs tae Eimhir by Derrick McClure provides a parallel translation of Dàin do Eimhir into Scots, allowing readers to view the original Gaelic text side by side with McClure’s Scots translation. Sangs tae Eimhir is published by Acair. You can find references to items by and about Sorley Mclean on Scottish Bibliographies Online.

Another good selection of new Scottish material was received by the National Library of Scotland this week. Highlights included The architecture of the Scottish medieval church 1100-1560 by Richard Fawcett and published by Yale University Press. Beautifully illustrated with photographs of medieval Scottish churches, cathedrals and chapels, this book explores the history and development of Scottish medieval architecture, looking at influences from England and Europe, as well as the impact of the Reformation, amongst other themes. You can find references to articles, chapters and books about Scottish medieval architecture and Scottish religious architecture on Scottish Bibliographies Online.

The Saturday big tent wedding party is the latest in the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series by Scottish author Alexander McCall Smith. As well as the hardback book edition we have also received the audio CD version of the novel, read by Adjoa Andoh. The Saturday big tent wedding party is published by Little, Brown Book Group.

The celestial café, published by Pomona, brings together a collection of writings from the diary of Scottish musician Stuart Murdoch. The writings include Stuart’s musings about recording albums and touring with his band Belle & Sebastian during the period from 2002 to 2006.

Craig Richardson’s Scottish art since 1960 : historical reflections and contemporary overviews considers the evolution of Scottish art during the last 50 years and looks at whether a distinctly Scottish style of art has emerged. Joan Eardley, Alexander Moffat and Ross Sinclair are amongst the artists discussed. Scottish art since 1960 is published by Ashgate.

This week’s intake of Scottish interest items included Sir John Malcolm and the creation of British India by Jack Harrington. Published by Palgrave Macmillan, this book analyses the career and writings of leading colonial administrator Sir John Malcolm and his role in the formation and administration of British India. Sir John Malcolm (1769-1833) was born in Dumfriesshire and was stationed by the East India Company in Madras at the age of 13. Knighted in 1815, Malcolm held various positions in British India until his final post as Governor of Bombay from 1827-1831.

The Scots & the turf : racing and breeding – the Scottish influence by Alan Yuill Walker considers the often overlooked contribution of Scots past and present to horseracing. Stirling born champion jockey Willie Carson and the Queen Mother, owner of many racehorses, are amongst those whose role is discussed in this book. The Scots & the turf is published by Black & White.

The life and career of Scottish artist Jack Morrocco is the subject of Jack Morrocco : a work in progress by Roy McGregor and published by GFA Publishing. Born in Edinburgh in 1953, Jack studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee where he gained the highest possible postgraduate award in 1975. Jack currently paints at his home studio in Fife, as well as in the Cote d’Azur. Roy McGregor’s book provides interesting biographical information about Jack and is beautifully illustrated with a selection of Jack’s work. You can find references to items by Jack Morrocco at Scottish Bibliographies Online.

The Kellys of Kelvingrove, published by Black & White, is the latest novel by Scottish author Margaret Thomson Davis. Margaret was born in Bathgate in 1926 but has spent most of her life in Glasgow. She is the author of over 40 novels and 200 short stories. Her first novel, The breadmakers was published in 1972. Set in 1970s Glasgow, The Kellys of Kelvingrove follows the fortunes of seven households living alongside the River Kelvin. You can find references to more items by Margaret on Scottish Bibliographies Online.

Dot Allan (1886-1964) is not a household name in the world of Scottish fiction, but between 1921 and 1958 she published 10 novels, and was a prolific journalist –in her twenties she interviewed Sarah Bernhardt – and dramatist. Two of her best novels – Makeshift and Hunger March have now been republished by the Association for Scottish Literary Studies who describe her as “a writer who deserves rediscovery by a new generation”. Popular and well-reviewed in the 1920s and 1930s Allan writes with insight of Glasgow and women’s lives in early 20th century Scotland.

By coincidence our new books this week also include Glasgow Girls: artists and designers 1890-1930 Liz Arthur’s catalogue for the exhibition recently seen in Kirkcudbright and due to open at Glasgow’s School of Art in December. This slim and colourful volume highlights the work of favourites such as Jessie M. King, Margaret Macdonald and Agnes Miller Parker and others such as the lesser known Dumfries artist Chris Fergusson.