"In this beautiful book, five Scottish writers explore and share their thoughts about twenty-five buildings found in Scotland. "
What a lovely book this is! Five well-known writers take you on a journey through their homeland of Scotland, focusing on twenty-five of the buildings that can be found there. The introduction explains that: “What we build always reveals things that are deeply and innately human. Because all buildings are stories, one way or another”. Then goes to say: “This book, then, is an account of twenty-five individual journeys, which come together to form a narrative of a nation”. Vivid black and white, and colour photos sit within the pages. We visit buildings spread through time and place, from the evocative Geldie Burn, 8000 BC, to the contemporary and emotionally connective Maggie’s Centres. Some places you may already find you are intimate with, while others, you’ll potentially meet for the first time. Thirty years ago I spent a day at Stirling Castle, where now, James Crawford on describing the new - old roof of Stirling Castle’s Great Hall says: “When it comes to buildings, ‘restoration’ is a loaded word. It provokes. It asks questions - and often gives answers that we may not like or want to hear. It pulls at the threads of our history, culture, politics, community and identity. It is, in the broadest sense, unsettling”. I found myself wanting to revisit, to fall into the space of the ceiling and spend time there. That is what each writer does, they encourage you to see with new eyes, to join them and experience their viewpoints. It is therefore incredible personal and inviting, hence this book joins our LoveReading Star Books. Who Built Scotland showcases the country, the people, the history, the bones of the place, it’s fascinating and moving, and comes as highly recommended by our team.
| Primary Genre | Travel |
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