On the Trail of – serie

There are many books about William Shakespeare but few written for the visitor which deal so thoroughly with his life, works and associated sites. Keith Cheetham, historian, dramatist and lifelong fan of the Bard, sets off in search of the places that shaped Shakespeare's life. From cottage to mighty castle, royal palace to battlefield, country village to vibrant metropolis, Keith investigates the locations that informed some of the greatest plays and poetry the world has ever known.

Part of a series of guides on key figures and themes, this book follows the life of Charles Edward Stuart, the young pretender. The author sets out on his motorbike on the trail of Bonnie Prince Charlie from England to Scotland and the Isle of Skye, the locations shown with maps and drawings.

Part of a series of guides following key figures and themes, this book looks at the life and work of John Muir, Man of the Millennium in the US and a trailblazer of world conservation. It features information on the trusts and organizations continuing his work, boasting thousands of members in Britain and the US, and draws on his books, articles, letters and diaries. The authoress is an authority on Muir and a world traveller who set herself on the trail of John Muir in order to write the book, and the book includes insights into a hero of world conservation.

Life dealt Mary Queen of Scots love, intensity, betrayal and tragedy in generous measure. On the Trail of Mary Queen of Scots traces the major events in the turbulent life of the beautiful, enigmatic queen whose romantic reign and tragic destiny exerts an undimmed fascination. Here is the essential guide to over 200 Mary Queen of Scots sites of interest in Scotland, England and France. It is fully illustrated with maps and plans and clearly shows the best tour routes, region by region. Sites to visit in Scotland include: Linlithgow Palace - Mary's birthplace, now a magnificent ruin.; Stirling Castle - where, only nine months old, Mary was crowned Queen of Scotland; The Palace of Holyrood House - Rizzio, one of Mary's many lovers, was murdered here - some say his blood still stains the spot where he was stabbed to death; and Fotheringay - after 16 years' imprisonment, Mary met her death on the executioner's block.

Is there anything new to say about Robert Burns? John Cairney says it's time to trash Burns the Brand and come on the trail of the real Robert Burns. He is the best of travelling companions on this entertaining journey to the heart of the Burns story. Internationally known as 'the face of Robert Burns', John Cairney believes that the traditional Burns tourist trail urgently needs to find a new direction. In an acting career spanning forty years he has often lived and breathed Robert burns on stage. On the Trail of Robert Burns shows just how well he has got under the skin of Burn's complex character. This fascinating journey around Scotland is a rediscovery of Scotlands national bard as a flesh and blood genius. On the Trail of Robert Burns outlines five tours, mainly in Scotland. Key sites include: Alloway - Burn's birthplace. Tam O' Shanter draws on the Alloway Kirk witch-stories first heard by Burns in his childhood; Mossgiel - Between 1784 and 1786 in a phenomenal burst of creativity Burns wrote some of his most memorable poems including "Holy Willie's Prayer" and "To a Mouse"; Kilmarnock - The famous Kilmarnock edition of "Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect" published in 1786; Edinburgh - Fame and Clarinda (among others) embraced him; and Dumfries - Burns died at age 37. The trail ends at the Burns mausoleum in St Michael's churchyard.

This text is an illustrated story of Scotland's hero-king and freedom-fighter. The text follows the life of Robert the Bruce from boyhood onwards, with a blow-by-blow account of how he led the Scots to their victory at Bannockburn, against all the odds.

From coast to coast on a motorbike...on the trail of the people, places and events that created Scottish history. Covering moor, mountain and battleground as well as film locations and place names, this book provides an intelligent, passionate perspective on key landmarks and their significance to Scotland today. From the Vikings to the Picts, from Ossian to Bannockburn, Ross guides us on a quest to discover the essentials of Scottish history - and to find things we never knew existed.

A book about Scotland drawn from hundreds, if not thousands, of stories. From the oral traditions of the Scots, Gaelic and Norse speakers of the pat, it presents a new picture of who the Scottish are and where they come from. The stories are hilarious, tragic, heroic or frightening.

On the Trail of William Wallace offers a refreshing insight into the life and heritage of the great Scots hero whose proud story is at the very heart of what it means to be Scottish, and whose effect on the ordinary Scot through the ages is manifest in the many sites where his memory is marked.In trying to piece together the jigsaw of the reality of Wallace’s life, David R. Ross weaves a subtle flow of new information with his own observations. His engaging, thoughtful and at times amusing narrative reads with the ease of a historical novel, complete with all the intrigue, treachery and romance required to hold the attention of the casual reader and still entice the more knowledgeable historian. An encyclopaedia-cum-guidebook, this is stuffed with fascinating titbits not usually on offer in the conventional history book.

This title tells the fascinating, true story of the founding fathers of the United States, their origins in England and their harrowing journey to the New World. After harvest time in 1621 around 60 men, women and children held a great feast in gratitude to God to celebrate their deliverance and the first anniversary of their leaving England to found a settlement in North America. These people became known as the Pilgrim Fathers. The feast was repeated annually and became known as Thanksgiving. Almost 400 years later, US citizens still celebrate Thanksgiving. But who were the Pilgrim Fathers? The political situation in 16th and 17th century England was such that those who differed from the established church were persecuted, punished and humiliated. The Puritans determined to leave English shores rather than submit to changing their beliefs. In this account, Keith Cheetham tells of their flight to Holland, their subsequent departure from Plymouth on the Mayflower in September 1620 and the perils that faced them in the New World. These are true stories of tragedy and danger as well as success. The work featutres: over 170 places to visit in England, Holland and the USA; one general map, 4 location maps of England, 1 of Holland and 1 of New England; Line drawings and illustrations; and a list of names of those who sailed in the Mayflower. It gives a thorough guide to the origins and places connected with these early settlers and sets their achievements in the context of earlier Europe and explorers to the New World. On the Trail of the Pilgrim Fathers is aimed at everyone interested in the brave folk who left the Old World for the New.

Part of a series of guides looking at key figures and themes, this work follows the trail of Queen Victoria on her numerous visits to the Highlands, and contains photographs from the Washington Wilson collection. It provides a historical biography as well as a contemporary travel guide book.