The next best thing to actually visiting Scotland.
The Clanlands Almanac is Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish’s hilariously narrated companion book to the bestselling Clanlands, first released in hardback by the authors in 2021. Just fine as a standalone work too, the almanac takes readers on an entertaining ride through seasonal tales from Scotland.
Heughan and McTavish, who many mainstream readers know from their roles on the hit TV series Outlander (as Jamie Fraser and Dougal MacKenzie, respectively), turn tour guides as they bring their homeland to the world stage. The book is divided into 12 months, each one covering Scottish traditions, history, famous battles, and nature notes that pertain to that month. It also looks closely at different locations of interest throughout Scotland, important dates in the Scottish calendar, and the birthdays of famous Scots. And it wouldn’t be a book on Scotland without plenty of whisky discussion!
The authors directly and indirectly include helpful tips for those travelling to Scotland, such as being mindful of the midges when visiting the Highlands in summer. This makes the book a wonderful tool to bring along on your travels, or to read in preparation for getting the most out of your trip. The vivid descriptions and anecdotes also make it an effective escapist read; these stories will transport you to the misty Highlands from wherever you are in the world.
The summaries of Scotland’s most famous battles and historical events are narrated in a light-hearted way, making them seem less heavy and easier to absorb. But the book has its serious, sombre moments too. There’s no denying the pride that each author feels for his nation.
One of the book’s greatest highlights is the chemistry between Heughan and McTavish, who spend a lot of time poking fun at one another. The tone is very conversational, which I found endearing. In some places it reads as a podcast script, as Heughan and McTavish continuously swap the mic, and is easy to imagine as a TV show.
A good copyedit is needed to iron out typos and grammatical errors that sometimes pop up throughout the text. But, overall, the narration is so authentic and glowing with personality that the reader may forgive the errors.
This is naturally a great read for any Outlander fan, as it also contains several behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the series. The authors also mention their TV show, Men in Kilts, and the comical incidents that took place during filming that viewers weren’t privy to.
If you are drawn to Scotland—and with its majestic landscapes and fascinating history, it’s a very easy country to be drawn to—The Clanlands Almanac is the perfect book to devour. In a world where travelling abroad is still not an option for many of us, it’s also a satisfying thirst-quencher.
Reviewed by Vanessa Elle
Instagram: @vanessaellewrites
This review is the opinion of the reviewer and not Glam Adelaide.
Distributed by: Hachette Australia
Released: November 2021
RRP: $32.99
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