The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

This is the discussion thread for the Spring 2022 Group Read Clanlands: Whisky, Warfare, and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish. Please post your comments here. This thread is not restricted to those choosing this book for task 20.10, feel free to join in the discussion. Warning- spoilers ahead!

The requirement for task 20.10: You must participate in the book's discussion thread below with at least one post about the contents of the book or your reaction to the book after you have read the book.

I got this book from a friend of mine who has read it already a few weeks ago, so perfect timing!

Andy P.
Here are my comments on Clanlands:
I was expecting a travelogue which this book was not. If one is looking for a book which involves making a movie in the Scottish Highlands, however, you will find it quite satisfying. Knowing little about films or the making of such I had no background to draw on. I think also that the authors are well known in the film industry, and there are numerous comparisons with the popular Outlander series which may delight other readers.

Dlmrose

I thought this was fun for what it was. I have seen the first season of Men in Kilts- the tv series this book parallels. Scotland is the star of series 1 and I think it was missing in the book. But spending any time thinking/reading about Scotland, one of my favorite places, is a good thing.
There were some fun Outlander insider anecdotes, but the banter got a little repetitive.
The series moves to New Zealand for season 2- I will probably look for that, but would skip any companion book.

Sara G

This is a weird book and I'm not entirely sure what to make of it. I guess I'd describe it mostly as the commentary on the whole process of shooting a TV show that is meant to explore Scotland and its history, written by two of the most well-known actors from the Outlander TV series. It's more about their relationship and the TV production process than it is about their Scottish travels, unfortunately for me.

I wouldn't particularly recommend this book to anyone, but I didn't particularly dislike it either.

I am one of the few who has not seen the Outlanders TV show, and I’ve only read the first of the books a few years ago. As I recall, I didn’t care for the level of violence, nor the length of the books, and I didn’t pursue the series. So this book wasn’t an obvious choice for me. I do love Scotland and have traveled there several times in the past decades, so I thought there was a chance it might appeal, and it did. The history was great, and I found the banter between the two authors amusing and enjoyable, despite never having seen their show. I am aware that some are offended by some of their conversation and running jokes, but there are strong female characters among their cast and crew for whom the two seem to have great respect, and both men seem good-hearted, just a bit silly at times. For sure, this book would be more meaningful for fans of the TV series, but there’s plenty for those who enjoy history or who are interested in Scotland or the inside view of the making of a film. I am recommending it for humor and Scotland travels.
I listened to the audiobook, which I recommend for the accents and the lively conversations.

I think the series men in kilts is better as the book. As you will get to see the beautiful landscape and I think the dialogs will come across better as series, or even audiobook as the printed one.
It was fun to learn about some background and Sam and Graham can bicker quite funly.
However I could only read small fractions of the book at a go

I have finished this book only to get through with the challenge. I appreciated the comradery of the older man with the younger. As I age, I find that such non-age-conscious friendships are important.

The whole Soctland thing has started to irk me a little though. I am of Scot ancestry, and I have always felt a tug toward the old land. But more and more I tend to take the Trainspotting view that what the region is now does not live up to the romanticism that we impose on it.

The TV relationship that permeates this book is important, I think. Films like Local Hero and Four Weddings and a Funeral help to romanticize Scotland in a way tha the current Outlander series does, I suppose. [I have not seen it.] The comradery the two authors have certainly lends itself to the feeling that the region is a good time, though with a sometimes checkered past.

I suppose there has been a historical diversity with the Picts and the Celts and the Norse, and then the Catholics and the Protestants. It all feels to me, though, like similar peoples creating divisions where they do not have to simply in order to advance their own orneriness. That leads to a lot of comic episodes and whiskey -- though from the title, I thought there would be more whiskey in the book than there was. [a little disappointed]

Lisa MD

As an Outlander fan, book and tv series, Clanland piqued my interest. I was curious to learn a little history, and see Scotland through the eyes of two, Scottish Outlander actors who presently have helped to bring national attention to their homeland.

Just like the Outlander books by Diana Gabaldon, this book crosses genres. I got enough history, mostly related to events and places in the Outlander series and a little further back to satisfy me without being dry and boring. The description of landscapes, battlefields and castles by Sam and Graham whetted my appetite to travel to these places myself. About 10 years ago, I spent only half a day in Edinburgh on the Royal Mile visiting the castle and yes a couple of pubs. I desperately want to go back for a longer visit.

The best part of the book for me was in the telling. This was a buddy story. The back and forth banter, the love/hate or rather sometimes contentious nature of the relationship between Sam and Graham is what made the book for me. I loved their shenanigans. I loved reading each of their takes on the same incident or each of their perceptions and insights into Scottish history. Their relationship made the book fun and now I look forward to watching, Men In Kilts.

I saw the series Men in Kilts before I knew there was a book. The series focused more on Scottish culture, and the book focused more on Scottish history (and a little too much on Outlander, in my opinion). I only read the first book in the Outlander series (hated it), and I've never seen the TV series.

Back to the book. It's a Bing Crosby/Bob Hope type road story. Lots of banter, insults, practical jokes. (I do think they exaggerated the amount of drinking that took place. Otherwise, I don't know how they could have done half of what they did). I enjoyed the way the narrative switched between the two men (and the interruptions by whoever wasn't the main speaker at the time). I enjoy reading history and I learned a lot about Scottish history. I liked when they included some of the songs that were meaningful to a particular event. I found recordings of them on youtube. Some of them are really beautiful.

My biggest complaint with the book is the map. Instead of a map of Outlander filming locations (who cares?), put in a map of where the authors actually went in the course of the book!

I can't say I'd have selected this if I hadn't seen Men in Kilts first, but I'm glad I read it.

While I love the Outlander series, both books and TV shows, I am less enthusiastic about this book. It had some funny moments and some interesting historical tidbits, but overall, meh.