Book to showcase celebs’ memories of Scotland

IT is a country which has long inspired artists, musicians and writers with its spectacular landscape and celtic culture.

Irvine Welsh. Picture: Hemedia

A new coffee table book in aid of Scottish charities, ‘My Scotland by its Famous Sons and Daughters’, showcases interviews with 58 celebrities who talk about how their nation has influenced their lives.

Rory Bremner, Irvine Welsh, Sir Jackie Stewart, Nicola Benedetti, Denis Law, Billy McNeill, Judy Murray, Donovan, Katherine Grainger and Midge Ure are among the celebrities to share their memories of Scotland.

Actor Brian Cox said: “When you’re from Dundee the first thing you become aware of is water – the sea, the River Tay and what they both represent. To me they opened up the rest of the world. The river was something to be crossed, to see what’s on the other side, to get away and to explore – but always to come back.

Dougray Scott said: “My travels with my father gave me a great early love of Scotland. My favourite place is the Mull of Kintyre – so good Paul McCartney wrote a song about it.

“It’s a great journey from Glasgow to get there, past Loch Fyne and down the peninsula with beautiful views of Gigha and Jura. I love it.”

The book was produced by writers Anne Graham and Michael Hamilton whose affection for Scotland spurred them on to compile the 240-page hardback.

Ms Graham said: “We’ve always loved Scotland and its people and we recently moved to an island near the Scottish Borders so the time seemed right to write about it.

“We were delighted that so many great names gave us their time and took part with such enthusiasm.”

Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland, which backed the book, said: “This is a wonderful publication in which some of our best-loved celebrities share treasured memories of their favourite Scottish places. These tales of our bustling cities and hidden gems will inspire potential visitors from all over the world to discover the locations that make Scotland a hit with its famous sons and daughters.”

Ninety per cent of the book’s profits will be donated to Scottish charities, predominently the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland, as well as some charities hand-picked by some of the celebrities taking part.