Scotland is the perfect place to visit for book lovers. My absolute favorite thing to do is cozy up with a good book and take in the beautiful scenery next to a warm fireplace and cup of tea. Scotland also generally has a cute bookstore in every town.
Strong characters, wild landscapes and whimsical story lines make these books great choices for books to read in Scotland. I threw in some guidebooks and non-fiction too.
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Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon
Outlander is not just a series of books, it’s a phenomenon. It’s also the series that made me fall in love with reading again. After about 15 years of only reading medical texts I picked up Outlander and was hooked. Six months later an suffering from a severe book hang over when I popped out of the Outlander world, I have been a ferocious reader since. I’m not alone in my Outlander addiction – Outlander was rating the second best book of all time by PBS’s Great American Read with only To Kill a Mockingbird beating it out.
When visiting Scotland there are numerous references to Outlander as well as tour agencies set up to give outlander tours. We made it to a few of these stops including Culloden and Clava Cairns. Several of the places we just happened to visit were the location of several of the filming scenes. I wanted to make it to make it to Calanais Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis but it was an hour drive and a ferry ride from our lodging.
In fair warning, reading Outlander is a commitment. Nine books are in the original series (with supposedly a 10th one coming to complete the series). These books are big and I would expect to take several weeks to read each one.
My recommendation on reading order for Outlander:
Books 1 and 2 – start the TV show half way through book 1/2 or after book 1. You can watch the show first without too many spoilers but absolutely DO NOT watch season 3 without reading book 3 first. I watched season 1 first and half of season 2 before starting the books and I actually liked that route. I already had the TV characters in my head.
Book 3 is really good (I read it twice) but as a warning the transition between book 2 and 3 is really jarring. Season 3 of the TV show is not good at all, it’s actually pretty awful and I was super disappointed because it would have been so easy to make it a good season. Season 3 has some spoilers that will make the book less fun so READ BOOK 3 FIRST.
After book 3 I would read ahead. The show from that point does not match the book as much. The show does get better.
Books 4&5 (maybe 6) start to slow down and get side tracked from the main plot line. They’re good just don’t expect fast reads or much progress in the plot. They’ll take longer. Sometime in between these books take some time to read the Novellas. Some of them are fabulous and add depth to the main story. I would read the John Greys in order if you can and the others can be read in any order.
Then back to reading the big books and main story line.
Anatomy A Love Story by Dana Schwartz
Anatomy was an unexpected favorite of mine. It’s set in Edinburgh and follows the story of a grave digger and a woman who is set on becoming a surgeon. Throw in some interesting circumstances and a little magic and this becomes a very addicting book. I highly recommend reading it before or during a trip to Edinburgh. This one is good. 4.5/5 for me and I can’t wait to read the sequel.
Looking for more on Edinburgh? Check out this Literary Guide to Edinburgh.
The Lighthouse Witches
I found this book at one of the local bookstores while travelling through Scotland and it was one of my favorites to read. The book does have multiple timelines but weaves them all together for an interactive story. The Lighthouse Witches has themes about family, tragedy and history all within the landscape of a remote Scotland Island. The scenery and mystical story suck you in. The Lighthouse Witches took me about 3-4 days to read and I give it a solid 4.5 stars.
What the Wind Knows
This one is set in Ireland, not Scotland but it’s a wonderful book and the landscape is similar. What the Wind Knows is set in a duel timeline but it’s nicely done. As with a lot of Amy Harmon books, the writing and story will pull at your heart strings and fair warning … there may be a few tears at the end. This book sucked me in. It’s one of the few books I give a 5 stars.
Rock, Paper, Scissors
Rock, Paper, Scissors is set in the remote Scottish Highlands during an intense storm. The story alternates between several points of view, leading up to an interesting twist and leaves you going … hum. This was a really enjoyable book to read and was hard to put down. There are several spooky aspects and as with most good thrillers, nothing is as it seems. Rock, Paper, Scissors is another quick read – it took me about 4 days and I’d also give it 4.5 stars.
Lady of the Loch by Elena Collins
Lady of the Loch is a dual timeline set in a remote castle in Scotland. I enjoyed both timelines especially the history of the first timeline. As with most good Scottish stories, it’s steeped in mystery. It’s a quick and fun read and would give it a 4/5.
The Bookseller of Inverness
This book is set in Inverness just after Culloden which is one of my favorite time periods to read about. I found the book to be an easy read and enjoyable. It’s a 3-4 day book for me and I’d give it a 4.
The Guest List
The Guest list is set in Ireland but could be set on any of the many isolated islands of Scotland as well. It’s a suspense novel and a fun read with many twists and turns about who done it. I enjoyed this one and give it a 4.
Pride of Lions by Marsha Canham
This is the perfect series to help soften an Outlander hangover. It’s set in Scotland around the time of the Jacobite revolution and is a series of 3 easy to read books. There is definitely some spice in this one. It’s a 4/5 for me.
The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley
I was really excited about this book by the description and I did feel it was an enjoyable read. However, I just wasn’t as sucked in as some of the other books based in Scotland. This is a dual timeline story and I’m just wondering if I’ve read too many dual timelines to enjoy this one to the fullest. I did really enjoy the older story and I felt the end really tugged at my emotions. I loved the scenery, I just didn’t like the back and forth on this one. I think it would have been a much better book to focus on one timeline. I still recommend it but at a 3.5.
Also on my reading list: The Last Witch of Scotland by Philip Paris, The Highland Witch by Susan Fletcher, The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell
Romance Authors to Consider when traveling to Scotland
From Gretna Green (a really fun place to stop) to the romantic scenery of Scotland – Scotland is a perfect backdrop for many romance novels.
Julia Quinn
Julia Quinn is a wonderful romance novelist who writes delightfully predictive historical fictions set in mostly England but also with a few in Scotland. When I’m looking for a low stress book with likable characters and some spice – Quinn is always a good choice. When He was Wicked is set in Scotland.
Lisa Kleypass
Kleypass is another historical fiction writer that bases many of her stories in England and Scotland. For a Scotland version check out Marrying Winterborne. Many of the characters are in different books but they can be read out of order.
Fantasy Books to Read when Traveling to Scotland
A trip to Scotland is a great time to catch up on fantasy books. It’s an amazing feeling to be sitting by a fire in a Scottish Library with views of a loch immersed in a good out of this world book.
For Fantasy Series that are not – but could be based in Scotland – I would start with
Fever Series by Karen Moning: This super fun fantasy series is set in Dublin (but it could be just as easily set in Edinburgh). I’m not going to describe the plot because … well, they all sound silly. There are Fea, sexy demons, gods, multiple universes and you get the drift. It’s so good with lots of spice and a very easy read. I give these 4.5 stars
Sarah J Mass: SJM is probably the most popular fantasy writer today. She has 3 different series and they are all good. Pick either a Court of Thorns and Roses or a Throne of Glass then read the other. Both of these series develop over time. The first couple of books could be considered young adult but the spice increases by book with the later ones being very steamy. Crescent City is also good but save it for last. SJM gets 4.5 stars
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness: This book is set mostly in England, the US and a Castle in France with some rare visits to Scotland. There are 3 books total and it’s an enjoyable series with a TV show to watch after the books. I give it a 4.
The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicle) by Patrick Rothfuss: I really like this series but there is a catch – only 2/3 books are written and it’s likely the 3rd may not be finished. So it leaves you with a big book hangover just as it seems to be starting up. These books are set in an England/Scotland – like magical landscape. The Slow Regard of Silent Things is a related Novella that is a delightful but don’t expect anything to happen … nothing does. This would be close to a 5 if the series was completed but I’m giving it a 4 because of the large amount of work up and no climax. The writing is wonderful.
City of Gods and Monsters by Kayla Edwards: Another fun fantasy series, not related to Scotland at all but fun
Travel Books for Scotland
There are a wealth of travel books for Scotland and we bought several. My favorites are usually Rick Steves, Lonely Planet and Frommers. Picking books that are specific for an area can be helpful as well. All had great levels of information.
