Scotland: An Intimate Portrait

I am fortunate to have grown up in Scotland. However, this wonderfully written account of the many intriguing aspects of Scotland and its inhabitants refreshed this ex-pat's memory with detailed information on everything from Scotland's tumultuous religious history to its literature, traditional sporting activities, Scottish Country dancing, and the background of the clans and tartans. This is a must-read for those of Scottish descent who would like to learn more about their forebears and what makes today's Scots 'tick'.

This book is an absolute joy to read. It is obviously written by someone who understands and loves his homeland. This is not just a historical book, nor is it just a recitation of facts. It really is an "intimate portrait", and goes a long way toward explaining the feelings and emotions of a proud group of people. No one with an interest in Scotland should miss this book. As soon as I finished reading it I turned to the first page to begin reading it again.

This book is descriptive in a way that other books are not. It is in a style that is interestingly informative giving the reader a look into the heart and mind of Scotland and the Scots. It contains a background on the history of the nation, but in a way so as not to send one off to sleep. It gives a context to allow one to develope an understanding of the Scottish psyche. Geddes MacGregor is a Scot who has lived out of Scotland, giving him an advantage of knowing his subject but also knowing what people who have never had the opportunity of going to Scotland want to know. I would have liked to have seen more photos, it only has a few black and white ones, and a new edition would be timely to take into account the new Scottish self government. Despite the dearth of photos it is a worthwhile book, for it's excellent descriptive approach.

I found this book to be wonderfully informative and extremely entertaining. I found the history presented in relative terms; not dry and boring as in some books. The humor is uniquely Scots. The information about the Scottish people is hard to find anywhere. The only negative is that as time passes, this book becomes an unfinished work. The recent events of Scottish Nationalism and self-government are sadly missed. However, it is an excellent read for those wanting to know the true nature of Scotland and its people, not just who ruled and when.