The [characters] are realised so fully, and with such vitality, that there seems no doubt about the blood running through their veins… Bullough has a flair for alchemical descriptions, thrillingly repurposing adjectives and verbs… He also clearly savours the tang of his characters’ tongues [with] occasional, gloriously unexpected sunbursts of humour” Food Standards Agency (in England and Wales) or the local environmental health department: if you want to produce and sell milk. Oliver may be handy with his fists but the valley, and his place in it, are threatened by forces he is poorly equipped to resist. Idris’s brother, Ivor, is greedily acquisitive and willing to go to considerable lengths to establish his claim to a portion of the farmland. The brothers’ feud affects the next generation, poisoning Oliver’s relationship with Ivor’s son and subtly weakening his efforts to keep the farm going. But more radically disturbing is the threat posed by rapid technological development and related changes in farming practice: as in much of postwar Britain, the traditional ways of farming in the valley are being displaced and the old, intimate relationship between nature and humankind is in decline. The writing is deft and delicate with skilled observation ranging from the mystery of trees, fungi and plants to the ordinary but cherished wood dwellers – pigeons, foxes and moorhens – all glimpsed and learnt from with a keen intelligence and obvious passion for their part in the living cycle of the worked and wild countryside.’ Personally, having gotten a Masters in Celtic and Scottish Studies, none of the stories of Scotland were new to me. However, they were entertainingly told, and great for anyone unfamiliar with the vast and varied history of Scotland. Aside from one noticeable Gaidhlig error (dualchais does not mean belonging per se, but more cultural heritage) its an entertaining and fairly accurate book.

I'm finding this difficult to rate because I struggled in the first half trying to decide if I would continue for the reasons I've given. I'm glad I did because the second half was so much more. In the end, it will be 3 stars but if it were possible 3.5. Addlands is a gorgeous and painstaking evocation of the land and those who work it. Bullough’s writing is a joy—disciplined, observant, and musical, blissfully free of cliché.” —Andrew Miller, winner of the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award One of the (many) beautiful things about Addlands is how Bullough keeps the world of the book separate from the world beyond the valley. It is a character study of a place and time and how the people moving through it leave their strange marks on its surface” This user guide introduces you to our first two categories of data layers: boundary and land considerations. It’ll give you a brief summary of what the layers represent (for example, the distribution of flood zones around the country), which organisations collate the information, and what it might mean for the plot of land you’re researching. You can then use the layers to see where they fall on the map, and bring up the Addland Land Report Snapshot to see a summary of all the information.I have known Sam for a while now. I love him as a dear friend. I admire his work ethic, his passion for charity work, climbing, his enthusiasm, and his ability at lifting heavy things, but the key thing you have to understand about Sam is that he is a nine-year-old masquerading in adult clothes. I have no doubt whatsoever that if I hard agreed to climb into a kayak with him he would have done his very bets to tip me out of the kayak. Probably more than once. He wouldn't have been able to help himself, He would have seen it as his duty." (207) -Graham McTavish After reading this book physically, I can't help but want to listen to the audiobook which I believe is narrated by the authors. This book was hilarious and I think the narration would make it even funnier.

Graeme told us that he chose this because the writing is ‘deft and delicate’ The Wood, by John Lewis-Stempel I have been an Outlander fan for over 20 years and seen Diana Gabaldon speak 3 times so I was excited to read this book by two actors from the series including the handsome Sam Heughan who plays Jamie Fraser. They also made a TV series based on this book that will be on Starz starting in Feb. I think it will be better on TV than in book form. PS Over on my Youtube Channel I interview bestselling authors LIVE and giveaway free books. Drop by and say hello! I love my Goodreads friends...no one else gets books like we do! Listed buildings are those deemed by Historic England to be ‘special in the national context’. In other words, they are part of the history of the country and, as such, are protected against alteration, extension or demolition. Grade I buildings are of ‘exceptional interest’ and make up only 2.5% of all listed buildings (about 500,000 total in England). Grade II* are ‘particularly important’ and comprise 5.8% of the total. Finally, Grade II buildings are of ‘special interest’ and fill out the remaining 91.7%. Graham and Sam are both starring in an upcoming television show, “Men in Kilts”, which will be broadcast by the Starz Network in February- “Clanlands” is the book version of this show. It is very history rich, and explores (in much detail) , the various feuds and wars that have plagued Scotland since its inception, mostly the feuding families and clashing clans that are so pertinent to its history.If you do nothing, you will be auto-enrolled in our premium digital monthly subscription plan and retain complete access for 65 € per month. Parts of this book were quite funny as Heughan and McTavish constantly poke fun at each other. I was amused at the beginning chapter called "Taken for a Ride" when Sam Heughan changes a quote from J.R.R.Tolkien by saying, "It's dangerous business, Graham, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." -Sam Heughan on behalf of J.R.R.Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings. The stark beauty of the Welsh countryside is given powerful life in this sweeping tale of one family from World War II to the present day, for readers of Alice Munro, Kent Haruf, Bruce Chatwin, and Louise Erdrich.