Books published by Scotland Street Press

The first ever biography published on Scottish artist James McBey. Creative genius, war artist, adventurer, lover. These are just some of the words that can be used to describe Aberdeenshire-born painter and printmaker James McBey (1883-1959). This illegitimate son of a blacksmiths' daughter was the acknowledged heir to Whistler and Rembrandt. But after his death in 1959, his renown as one of Britain's most accomplished artists faded from public consciousness. At the heart of this biography is his time as a war artist in the Middle East during the Great War, his love affairs, marriage to a beautiful American, and his enduring passion for Morocco. This is the story of one man who triumphed against the odds.

"The stories have a steely rectitude and an uncompromising determination to face down humiliation and inequality...economical, moral and compassionate."-The GuardianDilys Rose has been compared to Katherine Mansfield. Stories include one of two musicians in an airport watching a bombing of the home town they have left; restless teenagers running riot during lockdown, with disastrous consequences. In others Albert Einstein's reputation grows, as does his absence as a father; a cantankerous ninety-nine year old contributes to the chaos of a night ward. Rose conjures the essence of a situation with insight, economy and dark wit, and vividly presents an uncompromising view of the world where everyone is searching but few find what they hope for. Each story vividly creates the inner world of a compelling yet disparate cast of characters, and these brief glimpses into the lives of others leave a lasting afterglow.

Andreea is thirteen.  She skips school one day and for fun gets in a car with a boy she does not know.  At once they have a crash which leaves her paralysed from the neck down.  This is the true story of a teenager's courageous fight for a life.Â

Elizabethan Secret Agent: The Untold Story of William Ashby (1536-1593), is the biography of William Ashby, Elizabethan spy and diplomat who was ambassador to Scotland during the Spanish Armada, provides fresh social, political and foreign policy insights from the perspective of a gentleman spy who took part in some of the most important events of his time.

The long anticipated sequel to Errant Blood, C.F. Peterson's new crime thriller set in the Scottish Highlands.

Marjorie's Journey: On a Mission of Her Own tells the compelling story of Marjorie, a courageous woman who sailed to South Africa with ten children during WWII.

'A book with a bounce.' Comic, Dickensian murder mystery set in Victorian Edinburgh.

Alicia and her brother Avi are interned in a camp where children are taught to forget their mother tongue and speak the language of the coloniser. They escape into the Belarusian forest to go on an adult Hansel and Gretel adventure.

Alexander Wilson was the inspiration for the Last of the Mohicans.  He travelled across North America, living wild, counting and painting birds for the first ever American Ornithology.His beautiful illustrations alongside new poems in Scots by Hamish MacDonald, look at the habits, habitats, and characteristics of birds.

The builder of the White House, the hero of Aboukir Bay, a murderer who inspired Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, a decadent society hostess... Just some of the characters who lived at number 66.

The Polish novelist Zofia Nalkowska was witness to two world wars and Poland's struggle for independence. Her most renowned work, 'Medallions', is considered a masterpiece of anti-fascist world literature. This is her only biography in the English language.

Firkin and the Grey Gangsters is a collection of four tales in which animals are the heroes. Firkin is a young red squirrel who leads his people in a battle against a horde of grey squirrelinvaders from America. The Sheep who wasn't a Sheep and The White Drake get into the minds of other intelligent farm animals living in rural Scotland.

Hector is an 11-year-old boy living near Edinburgh with his great auntie Robbo who is in her eighties. A woman calling herself his step-mother arrives from England and Hector and Auntie Robbo realise that they have to run away. The chase leads all over the north of Scotland, narrowly escaping police and the authorities, adopting three homeless children on the way. Originally refused publication in London because it was deemed critical of the English, Auntie Robbo was first published in the U.S. in 1940. After success in print it was taken on by Constable in 1959 and later was published in India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark and Germany.

Poet and actress, Gerda Stevenson, is widely acknowledged as one of Scotland's greatest talents. Here she has illustrated the paintings of her one time neighbour, Christian Small, with poems specially written for the book.

A virulent disease carried by foxes is spreading across Europe. In London an urgent cull is underway, spearheaded by Frank Smith, the young master of the Hyde Park Hunt. But for Britain's paranoid Prime Minister, fox flu is a chance to foist the ultimate in surveillance technology on an unsuspecting population: the Mulberry Tree system, secretly bought from the Chinese.When biochemist Christophe Hardy discovers the conspiracy, he finds himself caught up in a chase which starts in Beijing and ends in Northumbria involving animal rights activists, a beautiful female missionary, high-society Chinese assassins, and the world most innovative catering venture, the Pu Dong Pudding Company.

It is 1934. Five children escape from a cruel orphanage, run away and steal a boat, which they sail around the Outer Hebrides where they explore uncharted new islands.

The subject matter of each sonnet follows the original, and the metre, line endings and rhyme are all Shakespeare's. In one or two, whole lines have been transposed. They are in no way an attempt to emulate, but are a humourous, irreverent and feminist reaction to the great bard.

In 1593, a girl with spirit is a threat. Ruth has secrets. An old book of heresy belonging to her long-absent father. Hope is as faint as a moonbow. Dare Ruth trust the shadowy one who could destroy them all?