Category Archives: scotland

Strange Loyalties by William McIlvanney

This is the third novel in the original Laidlaw trilogy. The death of his brother Scott in an apparent accident – Scott was drunk and hit by a car driven by a newsagent – has upset and angered Jack Laidlaw. His intuition says it was no accident and so he determines to find out whoContinue reading “Strange Loyalties by William McIlvanney”

The Island of Sheep by John Buchan

Written in 1936, this is a lovely story about rich males who seem able to drop their jobs / business dealings to support the son of a friend who is being threatened by unscrupulous types. Richard Hannay and Sandy Clanroyden have both featured in other stories by John Buchan. Here they’re helping a friend calledContinue reading “The Island of Sheep by John Buchan”

The Holy Grail by Giles Morgan

This is a high-level guide to The Holy Grail charting the origins of the quest from the early Christian gospels through to modern day stories and films. The book introduces all the characters you would expect: King Arthur, Galahad, Percival, Wolfram von Eschenbach, Malory, TS Eliot, Dan Brown, and Indiana Jones. It’s an interesting readContinue reading “The Holy Grail by Giles Morgan”

The Holy Grail by Giles Morgan

This is a high-level guide to The Holy Grail charting the origins of the quest from the early Christian gospels through to modern day stories and films. The book introduces all the characters you would expect: King Arthur, Galahad, Percival, Wolfram von Eschenbach, Malory, TS Eliot, Dan Brown, and Indiana Jones. It’s an interesting readContinue reading “The Holy Grail by Giles Morgan”

Treasure Map – 9

“We have to take some treasure,” said Esme, and started to fill her rucksack with doubloons. Sebastian put some into his pockets and picked up the sword from Esme’s early attacker. “You never know when this will come in useful” he said and they scurried towards the tunnel Sebastian had just explored. After twenty metresContinue reading “Treasure Map – 9”

Treasure Map – 8

“It’s definitely not chocolate,” she said, and placed it into her pocket. A sword landed on top of the chest. Esme screamed and tripped up over a stone as she tried to run away. The  sword hit the ground near her head and she thought she was dead. The skeleton was about to run herContinue reading “Treasure Map – 8”

Treasure Map – 7

“Can they see us?” said Esme. “I think we are about to find out,” said Sebastian and pressed himself to the side of the tunnel. The skeletons formed into two rows and advanced towards them. They were wearing rusty helmets and carrying cutlasses. Their feet clattered on the ground as they marched. Sebastian signaled toContinue reading “Treasure Map – 7”

Treasure Map – 6

As the pieces returned for another game, Sebastian and Esme ran behind the pawns. One of the knight’s horses tried to bite Esme but she hit it on the nose with her flashlight and it snorted in surprise. They approached the black castle and looked around it carefully. The black knight next to it raisedContinue reading “Treasure Map – 6”

Treasure Map – 5

A white castle was hurled off the board by the black queen and the white king was mated four moves later. As the pieces regained their places Sebastian shouted “Now” and they ran across the board. They almost made it, but Sebastian was tripped up by the bishop’s mitre. The bishop smashed the mitre intoContinue reading “Treasure Map – 5”