7 Absolute Must Reads Set Amongst The Beautiful Rolling Hills Of Perthshire!
In honour of Book Week Scotland, we've put together 7 must reads set in the incredibly beautiful, Perthshire.
7 Absolute Must Reads Set Amongst the Beautiful Rolling Hills of Perthshire!
1.Shakespeare's famous Macbeth is known for its links to Perthshire landmarks including the Crowning Place of Scots in Scone. Based on true events, Macbeth dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those who seek power for power's sake.
2.As Children, most of us enjoyed the many tales of Peter Rabbit and Mrs Tiddly Winkle by Beatrix Potter and as a child, Beatrix Potter enjoyed many childhood holidays in the idyllic Birnam, Perthshire. It was here she got the inspiration for many of her - now famous - tales. Her diary records of Birnam, "I remember every stone, every tree, the scent of the heather, the music sweetest mortal can hear, the murmuring of the wind through the fir trees....oh, it was always beautiful, home sweet home."
3.Ian Rankin - Standing in Another Man's Grave: Although Rankin rarely strays too far from Edinburgh, important parts of the action in "Standing in Another Man's Grave" are set in Perthshire's Pitlochry.
4.Scottish Legend; Robert Burns visited Perthshire many times and wrote many poems about the beauty he found there but the one that sticks out to us was based on his visit to then named Falls of Moness, 'Birks O' Aberfeldy'. Falls of Moness have since been renamed - quite aptly - to The Birks of Aberfeldy.
"Now simmer blinks on flow'ry braes,
And o'er the crystal streamlet plays,
Come, let us spend the lightsome days
In the birks of Aberfeldie!"
5.It wouldn't be a guide to Perthshire literature without including the historically accurate novel by Sir Walter Scott; The Fair Maid of Perth. The story follows Perth's Fair Maid: Catherine Glover as she is romantically pursued by a warmongering blacksmith, a poetising prince, a hot-headed clansman and a bumbling bonnet-maker in lawless 14th century Scotland. These days, you can join the Fair Maid for a wee sit down at her permanent spot on Perth's High Street.
6.Blood Faerie by India Drummond – This riveting story follows the story of a girl who was unjustly sentenced to death, Eilidh, as she ran away from faerie lands, to the streets of Perth, Scotland. Just as she has grown accustomed to exile, local police discover a mutilated body outside the abandoned church where she lives. Recognising the murder as the work of one of her own kind, Eilidh must choose: flee, or learn to tap into the forbidden magic that cost her everything.
7.Perth poet; William Soutar attended Perth Academy and penned many a poem about his surroundings in Perthshire. His 1932 poem named after its subject: Craigie Knowes, is a firm favourite amongst fans.
"Wauk up the sin
Wi' caw on caw
Whan day comes in
On Craigie Knowes:"
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