Lochs & Legends - Andy the Highlander

    Scotland is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the U.K. and for good reason: brooding castles, stunning scenery, and friendly locals attract millions of visitors every single year. But beneath the charming surface of quaint villages and castle ruins lies a troubled history and a rich tradition of folklore that often gets overlooked by the average tourist. Andy the Highlander, a Scottish native, looks to change that in this book. 

    From the majestic capital city of Edinburgh to the islands of the Outer Hebrides, Andy takes you on a journey across Scotland while sharing some of the country's colorful past, local myths, and personal anecdotes he's picked up in his time as a tour guide. Who are the Blue Men of the Minch? How did the Jacobite Uprising affect Scotland's culture? Why is there a memorial to Bobby the Dog in Greyfriars Kirkyard? Aren't you cold in that kilt?! Andy covers everything from tiny details about the marks on a fireplace in a specific castle to the countrywide impact of historical events and just about anything you can imagine in between, which makes for an entertaining and informational read.

    Scotland is my #1 bucket list item, so I like learning about it in preparation for (hopefully) someday getting to visit. Back when I still had Instagram, I actually followed Andy the Highlander and really enjoyed his content. He's passionate about his work and has an absolutely astounding amount of knowledge on a huge range of topics, which makes sense given what he does for a living. Despite that, the summary above really doesn't capture the extent of what you can pick up from his book. Which monarch was at which castle when and why, which cemeteries are haunted and by whom, why is that pub called that, what are the most important historical sites and best castles in Scotland, where did tartan and Harris Tweed come from, how to avoid the midges... the list is endless, but in a good way. I read the book and promptly purchased the audiobook (Scottish accents, anyone?) and I'm still catching things on the second go-around that I missed the first time. Speaking of the audiobook - highly recommend even if you're more of a visual learner as it's nice to hear the correct pronunciation of things.

    If you've spent any amount of time researching Scotland's history (or watching certain very popular shows based in Scotland), you'll know that, like most countries, she's had her share of wars and bloody conflicts. Despite the heaviness of some of the material, Andy manages to pay his respects to some of the major tragedies and misfortunes - which should never just be glossed over or forgotten - and then jump over to less serious things without it seeming gauche. You really get the best of both worlds: you get to learn about some of the important events that shaped the country and then get a million and one interesting little factoids that still tie back to the culture as a whole. Additionally, there's so much visual detail given that it often feels like you're actually on a tour in the various locales. The whole book is basically a love letter to Scotland. If you weren't interested in visiting before, I think you would be hard-pressed to stay that way after reading descriptions of the insanely beautiful landscapes, the warmth and resilience of the Scottish people, and the excitement with which he shares his knowledge.

Pros:

• An absolute treasure trove of knowledge, local and national
• Feels like you're on a tour with Andy himself
• He has a wicked sense of humor and isn't afraid to use it 

Cons:

•  Idiots like me would really benefit from a pronunciation guide
• Really REALLY makes you want to go to Scotland, but you can't yet #brokepeoplelife
•  Definitely going to need a part 2 for all the locations he didn't make it to yet

 Final rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐