Books published by or about the Library

The National Library of Scotland has a long history of publishing books on subjects of historical, cultural and general Scottish interest. You can find details here of our latest publications, as well as other books about items in our collections, and where to buy them.

You can also buy the books featured on this page from the Library shop (subject to availability).

Christopher Fleet, Margaret Wilkes, and Charles W J Withers

'Scotland: Mapping the Islands' looks at the history and geography behind the many maps of Scotland's islands. It shows how history and geography are realised in and produced through the art, artifice and authority of maps.

Scotland's many islands have an extraordinary fascination for countless people. They are miniature worlds, beautiful locations and homes to communities seemingly distant from the stresses of modern life. Maps, too, fascinate as objects of visual delight and historical importance, and as a way to represent and understand landscapes.

This is the first book to take the maps of Scotland's islands as its central focus, reproducing some of the most beautiful and historically significant maps from the National Library of Scotland's magnificent collections. The book explores the many dimensions of island life and how this has changed over time.

Arranged thematically, 'Scotland: Mapping the Islands' covers topics such as population, place-names, defence, improvement, the exploitation of natural resources, navigation, and leisure and tourism. It presents the rich and diverse story of Scottish islands in a unique and imaginative way, from the earliest maps to the most up-to-date techniques of digital mapping.

256 pages
Published by Birlinn, in association with the National Library of Scotland: 2016

Hardback (30 x 28 cm): £30.00
ISBN: 9781780273518

Where to buy this book

Buy 'Scotland: Mapping the Islands' from Birlinn

By John Moore

'Glasgow: Mapping the city' uses historic maps to provide insights into the history of Glasgow over the past five centuries. This lavishly illustrated book focuses on the historical development of the cartography of Scotland's largest city.

John Moore has selected more than 60 maps, plans and other images of Glasgow, dating from the late 16th century, to highlight significant elements of the city's story. These reflect some of its major achievements, disappointments and tragedies.

Maps are arranged in chronological order, and each map is accompanied by an extended essay discussing its background, key features and context. Several images appear in print for the first time, and much new research has allowed an updating of Moore's earlier study of Glasgow's mapping.

304 pages
Published by Birlinn, in association with the National Library of Scotland: 2015

Hardback (25 x 24 cm): £30.00
ISBN: 9781780273198

Where to buy this book

Buy 'Glasgow: Mapping the city' from Birlinn

By David Spaven

The rich diversity of Scotland's railway network has never before been the subject of a specialist atlas. 'The railway atlas of Scotland' showcases over 150 topographical and railway maps, telling the story of the country's railways from the early 19th century to the present day.

Researched and written by David Spaven, this beautiful atlas tells the story of the effects of the railway on the landscape, as well as the impact of Scotland's distinctive geography on the pattern of rail development over a period of nearly 200 years.

The unique map selection is supported by an informative commentary on key cartographic, geographical and historical features. This sumptuous atlas will appeal not just to railway enthusiasts and those who appreciate the beauty of maps, but also to readers fascinated by the role of railways in Scotland's modern history.

David Spaven has spent his working life in and around the rail industry and is the author of a number of acclaimed railway books, including 'Mapping the railways' (HarperCollins, 2011) and 'Waverley route: The battle for the Borders Railway' (Argyll Publishing, 2015).

240 pages
Published by Birlinn, in association with the National Library of Scotland: 2015

Hardback (31 x 28 cm): £30.00
ISBN: 9781780272382

Where to buy this book

Buy 'The railway atlas of Scotland' from Birlinn

By Christopher Fleet and Daniel MacCanell

This lavishly illustrated book uses historic maps to provide insights into the history of Edinburgh over the past five centuries.

The focus is on 71 main maps, dating from around 1530 to the present day, that illustrate particular themes and places in Edinburgh's history. Many of these maps have not appeared before in print. They have been selected for the particular stories they reveal, and the different political, commercial and social uses to which they have been put.

The book makes full use of high-resolution digital imaging, and focuses on details to provide excellent legibility, accompanied by extended captions to explain the background, content and context to each of the maps.

Some of the maps promote the special accomplishments of the people who made them, especially those who lived and worked in the city. As well as leading surveyors and world-famous map publishers, there were mathematicians, geographers, sociologists, engineers, geologists, physicians, public health officials and town planners all creating and using maps, particularly during the 19th century.

303 pages
Published by Birlinn, in association with the National Library of Scotland: 2014

Hardback (25 x 24 cm): £30.00
ISBN: 9781780272450

Where to buy this book

Buy 'Edinburgh: Mapping the city' from Birlinn

By Tom Pow

This delightful selection of poems was inspired by Tom Pow's experience as Maps Collections Writer in Residence at the National Library of Scotland in 2013. The book's title takes its name from one of the poems, relating to the compilation of the Blaeu Atlas of Scotland (1654).

Tom's residency drew particularly from the Bartholomew Archive, and many of the other poems relate to craft of cartography — compiling, engraving and colouring maps — and the personal stories associated with mapmaking.

Illustrated with colour maps, mainly from the Bartholomew Archive, the book also provides a collection of personal insights into the delights, pains and pleasures of maps, and the memories, stories and secrets that they reveal.

Tom Pow is an Edinburgh-born award-winning poet, who has also written young adult novels, picture books, radio plays and travel books. He was the first Writer in Residence at the Edinburgh International Book Festival from 2001 to 2003, and lectured at the University of Glasgow in Dumfries from 2000 to 2009.

64 pages
Published by Birlinn, in association with the National Library of Scotland: 2014

Paperback (26 x 16 cm): £12.99
ISBN: 9781846973017

Where to buy this book

Buy 'Concerning the Atlas of Scotland' from Birlinn

By Dora Petherbridge and Chris Taylor

A colour illustrated catalogue featuring a selection of iconic collection items from the National Library of Scotland's 'Treasures' display (2012) on the American Revolution.

The focus is on the American Revolution and its role in founding the United States of America. Rare and unique material from the Library's collection illustrates the conflicts, alliances and friendships of the period.

Scots, and Americans of Scottish descent, were key participants in the debate over independence. Loyalty to a British monarch and the economic value of transatlantic trade did battle with notions of liberty, independence, and republic.

'Dreaming and declaring American independence' celebrates the special connections between Scotland and the United States, representing political figures that still influence and inspire US politics today.

24 pages
Published by the National Library of Scotland: 2012

Paperback (26 x 16 cm): £5.00

Where to buy this book 

Available to buy in the National Library shop.

Texts and translations by Bashabi Fraser
Illustrations and lyrics by Gurupada Chitrakar

'Scots beneath the banyan tree' tells the story of several key Scots who lived and worked in Bengal during the time of the Raj. Each of these figures made their mark and became part of the folk memory of Bengalis.

This highly original book features pull-out illustrations in the traditional and charming narrative style of Bengali Patua scroll painters.

The Patuas, also known as 'Chitrakar' ('picture-makers'), are a group specialising in the painting of narrative scrolls and performing with lyrics and tunes they compose themselves.

Stories in the book about significant and colourful Scots include:

• Alexander Duff, the first Scots missionary and educator
• Lord Elgin, the Viceroy who developed the railways in India
• Ronald Ross, who discovered the connection between mosquitoes and malaria
• William Roxburgh, Superintendent of the Calcutta Botanic Garden.

Lyrics and paintings are by prominent patua painter Gurupada Chitrakar, and the text and translation is by Bashabi Fraser, the internationally renowned Edinburgh-based Bengali writer and poet.

The book is partly funded by the National Library of Scotland, in association with Luath Press, with design by Isabelle Ting (Owl & Lion Gallery).

70 pages
Published by Luath Press, in association with Owl & Lion: February 2012

Hardback (260 x 160mm): £25
ISBN: 978 0 95680 8103

Where to buy this book

Available to buy in the National Library shop.

By Christopher Fleet, Margaret Wilkes and Charles W J Withers

'Scotland: Mapping the nation' brings together many historic and unusual maps for the first time to demonstrate how maps reveal Scotland's history.

The book shows how Scotland has been viewed differently over time, from the first Roman maps to today's 'satnav'.

It is also the first book to take Scotland's map and mapping seriously as a form of history.

Beautifully illustrated with more than 230 full colour plates, mostly drawn from the National Library of Scotland's collections, it includes:

• The first road maps, from the 17th century
• A Soviet map of Greenock pinpointing factories and military installations
• Maps specially designed for blind people
• Temperance maps showing the location of public houses
• Glasgow's former extensive tram network.

Images are explained in their historical, intellectual and geographical context.

Chapters cover a number of themes:

• Scotland occupied and defended
• Towns and urban life
• The changing countryside
• Travel and communications
• Popular culture
• Mapping science.

Chris Fleet is Senior Map Curator at the Library, Margaret Wilkes was formerly Head of the Map Library at the National Library of Scotland, and Charles Withers is Professor of Historical Geography at the University of Edinburgh.

288 pages
Published by Birlinn, in association with the National Library of Scotland: September 2011

Hardback (252 x 248 mm): £20.00
ISBN: 9781841589695

Where to buy this book

Buy 'Scotland: Mapping the nation' from Birlinn. Also available in the National Library shop and from all good booksellers.

By Iain Gordon Brown

This authoritative and lively book highlights the extraordinary and eclectic Scottish collections of the National Library of Scotland.

It is a celebration of the Library's vast store of material that is 'Scottish', in its broadest sense, reflecting the major contribution that Scotland and the Scots have made through history and across the world.

Richly illustrated, the book presents and describes a wide range of items and aims to place each in its historical, cultural or literary context.

With the volume's emphasis on highlights, rather than 'treasures', some items may seem a surprising choice. Although not well-known or overtly 'Scottish', they are fascinating, intriguing or historically significant, and have their part to play in the Library's history and development.

Author Iain Gordon Brown, Principal Curator in Manuscripts Collections at the Library, has had a long involvement in the selection and acquisition of material for the national collection. His choice of items for 'Rax me that buik' highlights areas where the Library's world-class collections have a strong focus, and many good stories to tell.

A graduate of Edinburgh and Cambridge universities, Dr Brown is a Fellow of both the Society of Antiquaries of London and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He is a widely published author and a respected scholar, also known for his light and humorous touch.

144 pages
Published by Scala: October 2010

Paperback (274 x 196mm): £16.95
ISBN: 9781857596380

Where to buy this book

Available to buy in the National Library shop and from all good booksellers.

By Antony Kamm
Foreword by Alexander McCall Smith

In Scotland, printing began in 1508. This lively account of the next 500 years introduces notable books and other printed literature, the people who wrote, printed, published, and sold them, and their methods.

It also reveals some memorable talents and describes Scotland's remarkable dynastic contributions. Highlights include:

• Bibles
• Proclamations and the secret press
• Public and personal education
• Scientific, technological, and medical books
• Broadsides and chapbooks
• Figures of the Scottish Enlightenment
• Poetry and drama
• A timeline of significant events and curiosities.

Many of the images from rare books in National Library of Scotland collections are reproduced here for the first time.

Antony Kamm's publications included (as author) 'Collins Biographical Dictionary of English Literature' (1993), 'The Israelites: an introduction' (1999), 'Julius Caesar: a life' (2006), 'The Romans: an introduction' (2nd edition 2008), and (with Malcolm Baird) 'John Logie Baird: a life' (2002); (as joint compiler) 'A Book of Old Edinburgh' (1983), and 'Scottish Traditional Rhymes' (new edition, 1991).

48 pages
Published by the National Library of Scotland in association with Sandstone Press Ltd: June 2008

Pamphlet (260 x 175 mm): £5.99
ISBN: 13 978-1-905207-21-3

Where to buy this book

Buy 'Scottish printed books' from Amazon

By Olive M Geddes

The origins of golf are a matter of mystery and controversy.

Only by piecing together the evidence of early documents can we gain an insight into the 'dark ages' of the sport — the 400 years before the earliest surviving Rules of Golf appeared in 1744.

Olive M Geddes is a Senior Curator in Manuscript Collections at the National Library of Scotland.

In 'A swing through time', she guides us expertly through the earliest written records of golf, shedding light on its birth and the techniques and equipment used.

Above all we learn of golf's social standing as it began to develop from an outlawed activity to the world's most internationally popular game.

112 pages, 70 illustrations
Published: April 2007

Softback: £6.50
ISBN: 978-1-905267-09-5

Where to buy this book

Available in the National Library shop.

Publications