Ardnish

Reviews / Votes

'[Macdonald's] novels are a rich tapestry depicting Highland life and the horrors of war' * Sunday Post * 'If ever there was a story ready-made for the big screen, the Ardnish trilogy is it: an unforgettable case, heart-thumping adventure and romance, but above all a backdrop of spell-binding beauty' * National Trust Magazine * 'From the blazing heat of South Africa to the wild waters of the West Coast of Scotland, MacDonald guides the reader through vivid landscapes, capturing the very essence of each location... MacDonald's love of Scotland is infectious ... heartfelt' -- Scottish Field 'Opens a window on two worlds, shining a light on the experiences of Highland regiments in the Boer War while commemorating tradition Highland culture, evoking both of them vividly in well-crafter, deceptively simple prose' -- Alastair Mabbott * Herald * 'A book that seeks to tell the story of a good man's life lived across two worlds now gone; and that does so with so much, energy, knowledge and love for the men of that time and place, whose memory MacDonald strives to keep alive' -- Joyce McMillan * Scotsman * 'A heart-felt, ingeniously plotted and wonderfully resonant novel that sweeps the reader from the smokey peat fires of the West Highlands to the baking sun of the South African veldt at the height of the Boer War. Alive with the rhythms of Highland speech and animated by a deep love and understanding of Highland ways and Highland mores, it's a deeply moving reminder of the global reach of the Gaels and the impact they've had on world history' -- William Dalrymple 'What I really enjoyed about this book was its beauty, an enthralling read that is both brutal and poetic' * Daily Record * 'A fast-paced narrative with deeply likeable characters ... far more than yet another wartime love story ... impossible to put down' * Scottish Field, Book of the Month * 'Macdonald is a master of bitter-sweet, of mingling the sad, the heart-breaking with that which gives hope, relief and final peace. This book has it all' * The Braes * 'The author has a natural gift for storytelling...his earthy descriptions and dialogue transport the reader who can smell the peat fires, feel the ceaseless rain, the hardship, the shimmering African heat, and above all the heartache. Another thought-provoking and mesmerising read' * Scots Magazine, Book of the Month * 'A beautifully poignant book that paints an amazing pen picture of the life of one man between 1900 and 1944, switching between life in Ardnish and life on the front line in South Africa. Fascinating, extremely detailed...there is plenty to keep you turning the page to the very end and to appreciate the craft of the author. A thoroughly enjoyable read and one we would highly recommend' * Undiscovered Scotland *