Recommended reads

Explore book recommendations and delve into exciting stories about Scotland's historic places, tales and characters.

Author Barbara Henderson knows a thing or two about books – she’s written seven for young people and won a 2021 Young Quills Award for Historical Fiction for her novel The Siege of Caerlaverock. Lots of her novels draw on stories of Scotland’s past for inspiration. 

We asked Barbara for a list of some of her favourite books about Scotland’s places and people, and she has come up with some great suggestions.

Click on the selected books below to find out more about her recommendations. Why not borrow them from your local library or buy them from our online shop? Happy reading! 

 

Picture books

Here’s a great selection of books suitable for younger children. Enjoy the words and pictures together! 

The front cover of the book shows an imagined portrait of Robert the Bruce illustrated Robert the Bruce Front cover of book shows an imagined illustration of the Loch Ness Monster with Urqhuart Castle in the background The Treasure of the Loch Ness Monster The front cover shows an illustration of two puffin heads facing each other The Steves The front cover of the book shows an illustration of characters working and living in Stirling Castle Stirling Castle for Kids: Fun Facts and Amazing Activities The illustrated front cover shows the side of a dragon's head An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy The front cover shows an illustrated landscape with the main character, Maggie, standing in the foreground Maggie's Magical Island

Books for upper primary

Adventure, friendship, and hope – these books will let children aged 8-12 travel through place and time. Take a look! 

The front cover shows an illustration of a landscape which doubles up as the outline of a unicorn Guardians of the wild unicorns This illustrated front cover shows a silhouette of three children on a galloping horse with the moon shining behind them. Hag Storm The illustrated front cover depicts a warrior in armour in the foreground, and a chariot in the background The Celts and all that The illustrated front cover shows the silhouettes of soldiers and a knight on a horse, with the castle on fire behind them The Siege of Caerlaverock The illustrated front cover shows silhouettes of children with a cloud of fire behind them The God of all Small Boys This illustrated front cover shows the silhouette of a boy on a rope going down a cliff face that is covered with birds Where the world ends

Books for young adults

Got the historical fiction bug? Or fancy giving a historical novel a go for the first time? Dive right in. 

This illustrated front cover shows a wire wreath with some springs of greenery and two golden filigree wings on each side Girl in a cage The front cover shows an illustrated Macbeth welding a sword Macbeth: The Red King The illustrated front cover shows two seals swimming in a circular shape in the sea The Stone of Destiny The illustrated front cover shows a white unicorn and lion facing each other, with a castle tower in between them The Pure Heart