Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland

by John Keay (Editor)

This peerless reference work on all things Scottish contains over 4,000 separate entries and 500 illustrations. Now in a new edition, it is a mine of information, a landmark literary achievement, and an irresistibly readable guide.

Genres: Scotland, History, Reference

1102 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1998

About the author

John Stanley Melville Keay FRGS is an English journalist and author specialising in writing popular histories about India and the Far East, often with a particular focus on their colonisation and exploration by Europeans.

John Keay is the author of about 20 books, all factual, mostly historical, and largely to do with Asia, exploration or Scotland. His first book stayed in print for thirty years; many others have become classics. His combination of meticulous research, irreverent wit, powerful narrative and lively prose have invariably been complimented by both reviewers and readers.

UK-based and a full-time author since 1973, he also wrote and presented over 100 documentaries for BBC Radios 3 and 4 from 1975-95 and guest-lectured tour groups 1990-2000. He reviews on related subjects, occasionally speaks on them, and travels extensively.

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never really thought of this as a book to be 'read' - it's an encyclopaedia, I consult it frequently. I suppose I've read most of it over the years, as my interests and need for information have developed. As a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, I find it useful; however I expect it would be equally useful to those less familiar with the topic as it doesn't assume prior knowledge of anything it covers.