Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
A Highland Blend
  • WHO IS A HIGHLAND BLEND?
  • Services for businesses
    • Testimonials
  • Business Blog Posts
  • CAITHNESS & NC500 Posts
    • Best Food and Drink around the #NorthCoast500

Caithness in literature | A recommended reading list

February 11, 2021 by Susan Barrie 2 Comments

I love reading about places, whether it’s ones I’m just about to visit, or have visited in the past. I particularly love travel writers such as Bill Bryson, but recently I’ve been reading more extensively in different genres about Caithness, to learn and appreciate more of this unique county.

With COVID-19 restrictions still present during a long cold winter, many of us still remaining at home, and with World Book Day (5th March 2021) just around the corner, I’ve got a reading list to share with you in today’s blog post. Whether you live in Caithness, have visited in the past, or are yet to plan your trip here, I hope that my four recommendations provide you with some literary inspiration! (This post isn’t an ad, I’ve purchased all four of these books myself).

Caithness Books

YA Fiction: Castles of Steel and Thunder – Gail Anthea Brown

Inspired by the folklore and fables of Caithness, Castles of Steel and Thunder is Gail’s first novel. A Young Adult fantasy, the story interweaves many of the legends and tales originally found in ‘Caithness: Lore and Legend’ into a gripping quest faced by Sysa aided by her family and the power of stories. You can find out more about how Gail was inspired by her school teacher. For me, this was true escapism on some very cold January nights, and while YA fiction might not be everyone’s go-to choice of literature, I thoroughly enjoyed it due to the rich descriptive language pouring off every page. Forget the legend of Nessie, these Highland ‘fae’ stories are enchanting and suitable for readers aged 12+. You can find out how Gail was inspired by her school teacher on Gail’s blog.

Caithness Books

Local History: Wick Places and Stories – Harry Gray

A collection of stories, yarns and anecdotes from the town of Wick, collected by local historian Harry Gray. This can be purchased locally when the Wick Heritage Museum has reopened (usually, April – October), and it’s especially fascinating to read when you have visited or have lived in the town. The book also includes photos, so the reader can enjoy views of the town and scenery from some popular spots. If you don’t live locally, an excellent alternative is to visit the Wick Voices website, as there are many oral history accounts which detail stories and experiences from locals of all ages.

Caithness Books

I can’t mention local history and go without mentioning the late Iain Sutherland, who was well known in Caithness and beyond for his contribution to recording Wick’s history and heritage in a variety of publications over many years. I recently read an article which included contributions from Sutherland concerning the effects of prohibition in Wick which is synonymous with New York City and bootlegged alcohol, and not necessarily with a small town in the Scottish Highlands! You can also listen to this audio clip of Iain Sutherland recounting the ‘Battle of the Orange’ – he really was a charismatic storyteller.

Fiction: Highland River – Neil M Gunn

Caithness Books

Neil M Gunn is widely considered one of the most prolific Scottish fiction writers of the early 20th century, and so it was hard to just pick one of his works to feature in his list. Gunn was born in Dunbeath, and returned to the Highlands as an adult. The novel that I have picked is not the most famous (‘The Silver Darlings’ wins that acclaim) but Highland River is in the same grouping which concerns itself with representing ‘essential Highland experience’.

Caithness

Highland River recounts the life of Kenn, as he grows up in Dunbeath, faces the trauma of the First World War, and then returns home to the Highlands and to the source of the river that flows down to the sea.

Part of the charm of visiting the north coast of Scotland, especially when doing a route like the North Coast 500, is that if you venture off the main route, there are hidden gems that you wouldn’t see otherwise, and this is especially true down the east coast of Caithness. The scenery and heritage of many different spots, including Dunbeath comes to life in front of your eyes, and I’ve written previously about talking a walk along the Strath. By walking down to Dunbeath Harbour you can see a statue commemorating a scene in the novel.

I’d highly recommend this book, and books like it if you are thinking about immersing yourself in the literary locations of Caithness – before, during or after your visit.

Fiction: Returning – The Journey of Alexander Sinclair – Sharon Gunason Pottinger

Set in Thurso, this novella of just over 100 pages packs in a physical journey retuning from war-torn Afghanistan to Caithness, coupled with the returning and renewal of family relationships. Pottinger really captures the sense of place, not only in the physical descriptions of Thurso but also in the dynamics of small town life and what it means to return home. One of the early lines upon the protagonist’s return to Thurso reads “One night in the Comm (Commercial Hotel) would be enough to have the story all around Caithness” which wryly captures the realities of living in a smaller community.

Caithness Books

If I’ve whetted your literary appetite, keep an eye out for more details on the upcoming John O’Groats Book Festival – this year going digital on the 24th & 25th April 2021. As well as featuring nationally and internationally acclaimed writers, there is also always a very strong local representation of Caithness subject matter and from local authors!

Filed Under: CAITHNESS & NC500 Posts Tagged With: a sense of place, books, caithness, Castles of Steel and Thunder, gail anthea brown, Harry Gray, Highland River, Iain Sutherland, John O'Groats Book festival, Neil Gunn, reading, Returning - The Journey of Alexander Sinclair, Sharon Gunason Pottinger, Wick Places and Stories

RECENT POSTS

Marketing services for small businesses – what does A Highland Blend offer?

Building a Business website | The woes, worries and wins!

A Highland Blend’s reflection on 2020 – a year like no other

Why I’ve launched A Highland Blend to work with Caithness businesses

Previous Post: « Building a Business website | The woes, worries and wins!
Next Post: Marketing services for small businesses – what does A Highland Blend offer? »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Willie Taylor

    February 11, 2021 at 7:50 pm

    Great Post and some of them I have already but will definitely be visiting the John O’Groats Book Festival

    Stay Safe

    Reply
  2. Gail

    February 12, 2021 at 8:14 am

    Thanks so much for mentioning my book here Susan, so glad you enjoyed it.
    Love the other recommendations too! X

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

I’m Susan and welcome to A Highland Blend – a website primarily promoting the people, products and places of Caithness. I offer digital media and VA support services for businesses in the north Highlands of Scotland and beyond. To find out more, please check out my About Me or Available Services pages. To sign up for monthly business emails, please click on the image below!

Sign up to join my email newsletter list

 

I also love to help locals and tourists alike discover the best of Caithness and the rest of the Scottish Highlands, so you’ll also find blog posts that will help plan your itinerary, whether you are looking for ideas of places to visit or to eat and drink.

If you’d like to get in touch, please contact me by email or by any of the social media links below.

GET IN TOUCH

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

BUSINESS BLOG POSTS

Marketing services for small businesses – what does A Highland Blend offer?

Building a Business website | The woes, worries and wins!

A Caithness Christmas Shopping Guide | PopUps, Private Shopping and more!

Reframing thought processes: a business mindset | Reflections on risk and investment

8 ways to prepare for a COVID Christmas in Caithness

What I’ve learned from local businesses in Caithness

Why I’ve launched A Highland Blend to work with Caithness businesses

SEE ALL BUSINESS BLOG POSTS

NC500

Caithness in literature | A recommended reading list

A Caithness Christmas Shopping Guide | PopUps, Private Shopping and more!

TASTE NORTH 2020

Taste North 2020 goes digital

Caithness Pizza

Lockdown Eats | Caithness Pizza

Getting out and about during COVID-19: Walks in East Caithness

Creatives in ‘e county: #CaithnessMarket

SEE ALL NC500 POSTS

 

Archives

Categories

Footer

GET IN TOUCH

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

RECENT POSTS

Marketing services for small businesses – what does A Highland Blend offer?

Caithness in literature | A recommended reading list

Building a Business website | The woes, worries and wins!

A Highland Blend’s reflection on 2020 – a year like no other

Why I’ve launched A Highland Blend to work with Caithness businesses

Copyright © 2021 A Highland Blend on the Foodie Pro Theme