Books published by Luath Press Ltd

Poems giving voices to 67 remarkable women of Scotland from thousands of years BC to 21st century women. A diverse range of women are represented through poetic monologues in Scots and English. This powerful, unique, well-researched collection is a new landmark in the fine tradition of Scottish women's writing from a renowned poet and performer.

braw, adj. fine or fine-looking, excellent. This is a celebration of all that is braw, from the warmth of a Scottish pub to the beauty of the Highland hills, from sunbathing on a dual carriageway to weathering the Beast from the East. Dive into braw Scotland.

Imagine if your country voted to become independent, that vote was then ignored and its political leaders imprisoned or exiled. Following Catalonia's independence referendum, Clara Ponsati, Education Minister, along with Prime Minister Carles Puigdemont were charged with sedition. They had to leave Catalonia and go into self-imposed exile, and seven of their former cabinet colleagues were imprisoned. The Case of the Catalans is a landmark book that explains the injustice Catalans have faced by being marginalised with their political beliefs rendered unlawful by the Spanish government. In this book, Ponsati and her team of influential academics discuss the future of the Catalan people and the political and social tensions that led to the controversial referendum. In a clear and accessible style, they aim to educate as many people as possible, whether interested in politics or not, about the extraordinarily backward democratic process that currently defines Spain's national identity and has defied the settled will of the Catalan people.

Dà Shamhradh ann an Raineach is a historical novel written in Scottish Gaelic. It is set in 18th century Edinburgh and rural Perthshire, 20 years after the Battle of Culloden, a time of rapid social change and development in areas such as medicine, printing, the Church, the Gaelic language and agriculture. The novel is based on the facts that are known of the life of Dugald Buchanan, the poet and schoolteacher who made a major contribution to the first translation of the New Testament into Gaelic from the original Greek. He oversaw the printing of the New Testament in Edinburgh in 1767, the same year in which his own book of Spiritual Songs was published. These poems were to become enormously influential throughout the Gaelic speaking world. The greater part of the novel describes the last two years of his life and is narrated by his wife, Margaret. She outlived him by over 40 years and was in a position to look back over the tragic events which had struck the Buchanan family. As a result, the story ultimately becomes her own as much as that of Dugald.

The Spanish civil war was a call to arms for 2,300 British volunteers, of which over 500 were from Scotland. The first book of its kind, 'Homage to Caledonia' examines Scotland's role in the conflict, detailing exactly why Scottish involvement was so profound. The book moves chronologically through events and places, firstly surveying the landscape in contemporary Scotland before describing volunteers' journeys to Spain, and then tracing their every involvement from arrival to homecoming (or not). There is also an account of the non-combative role, from fundraising for Spain and medical aid, to political manoeuvrings within the volatile Scottish left. Using a wealth of previously-unpublished letters sent back from the front as well as other archival items, Daniel Gray is able to tell little known stories of courage in conflict, and to call into question accepted versions of events such as the 'murder' of Bob Smillie, or the heroism of 'The Scots Scarlet Pimpernel'. Homage to Caledonia offers a very human take on events in Spain: for every tale of abject distress in a time of war, there is a tale of a Scottish volunteer urinating in his general's boots, knocking back a dram with Errol Flynn or appalling Spanish comrades with his pipe playing. For the first time, read the fascinating story of Caledonia's role in this seminal conflict. REVIEWS: As seen on STV Documentary 'The Scots Who Fought Franco'. 'Daniel Gray has done a marvellous job in bringing together the stories of Scots volunteers - in [this] many-voiced, multi-layered book' SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY'...moving and thought-provoking.' THE HERALD' A new and fascinating contribution' SCOTTISH REVIEW OF BOOKS 'Book of the week - Gray deserves applause for shining a light on a lesser-known aspect of the nation's character of which we should all be proud. 'PRESS &p; JOURNAL. BACK COVER: Thirty-five thousand people from across the world volunteered to join the armed resistance in a war on fascism. More people, proportionately, went from Scotland than any other country, and the entire nation was gripped by the conflict. What drove so many ordinary Scots to volunreer in a foreign war? Their stories are powerfully and honestly told, often in their own words: the ordinary men and women who made their way to Spain over the Pyrenees when the UK government banned anyone from going to support either side; the nuses and ambulance personnel who discovered for themselves the horrors of modern warfare; and the people back home who defied their poverty to give generously to the Spanish republican cause. Even in war there are light-hearted moments: a Scottish volunteer drunkenly urinating in his general's boots, enduring the dark comedy of learning to shoot with sticks amidst a scarcity of rifles, or enjoying the surreal experience of raising a dram with Errol Flynn. They went from all over the country: Glasgow, Edinburgh. Aberdeen, Dundee, Fife and the Highlands, and they fought to save Scotland, and the world, from the growing threat of fascism.

On the eve of the Glorious Revolution of 1688, a series of gory murders are discovered by investigative advocate John MacKenzie and his assistant Davie Scougall. Drawn into a world of Papist plots, Presbyterian secret societies and religious and political upheaval, the pair follow a trail of clues left by a murderous, self-proclaimed 'Messenger of God'.

Mystery surrounds the murder of Sir Lachlan MacLean, an impoverished Highland laird. With bad debts, family quarrels, and shady associates, Sir Lachlan had many enemies. But while motives are not hard to find, evidence is another thing entirely. Lawyer John MacKenzie and scribe Davie Scougall turn investigator to try to track down the murderer.

A new book of photography documenting the island of St Kilda with introductory essay by Dr Kevin Grant.

This collection is born from a project undertaken by photographer Alex Boyd over the course of many return visits to St Kilda over several years. The collection aims to give a complete and well-rounded portrayal of the islands, avoiding over-romanticising St Kilda and its inhabitants. Appearing here in full colour, Boyd's photography captures the rugged beauty and the narrative of these fascinating islands.

Nuclear weapons are too important to be left to politicians and generals. They need to be discussed in the pub, at the school gates and over the kitchen sink so that people are aware of the issues involved and have had the opportunity to think them through. TIMMON MILNE WALLISHow much do nuclear weapons actually cost? How safe are nuclear weapons, even if they are never used? Have nuclear weapons kept us safe since the end of World War II? Are nuclear weapons legal under International Law?The nine nuclear weapon states are extending their commitments to nuclear 'deterrence' well into the second half of this century, despite treaty obligations and an 'unequivocal undertaking' to disarm. The US alone is expecting to spend up to $1 trillion (ie. $1,000,000,000,000) upgrading its nuclear weapons over the next 30 years.With around 15,000 nuclear weapons stockpiled worldwide, the risk of one going off by accident or design is increasing every day. Timmon Milne Wallis explores the arguments in favour of nuclear weapons with a critical eye, cutting through the rhetoric and obfuscation to get to the real truth about these weapons.

Are you looking for a way to make your wedding ceremony completely unique? Do you want to have a personal and memorable experience that will stay with you forever? Have you considered writing your own ceremony but don't know where to start? Regardless of your religion, orientation or beliefs, this book is for you. It will guide you through the entire process of creating your own personalised wedding ceremony and explain how to incorporate the elements that are most important to you. This book also includes examples and photographs from real life couples that have used this process to create their own exceptional ceremonies. It will help you to construct a ceremony that will be completely personal to your story, leave your guests truly touched and, most importantly, give you a beautiful experience which will become the perfect first chapter of your lives together. If you want your day your way, We Do! is for you!

'These essays defend the nature of art in its most exalted form, so that art is seen clearly ascending to the condition of prayer, enabling us to express our gratitude for the gift of life.