VisitScotland celebrates Scotland with the release of book My Scotland by its Famous Sons and Daughters

EDINBURGH, 2015-11-23 — /Travel PR News/ — A galaxy of Scottish stars have come together in a glossy new coffee-table book, celebrating their homeland in words and pictures.

With imagery and research provided by VisitScotland, My Scotland by its Famous Sons and Daughters is released on Monday 23 November, just in time for Christmas.

It showcases interviews with 58 celebrities who talk about how their nation has shaped their lives and careers. These run alongside full-colour photos of their favourite places in Scotland.

Rory Bremner, Denis Law, Sir Jackie Stewart, Nicola Benedetti, John Greig, Billy McNeill, Judy Murray, Donovan, Katherine Grainger and Midge Ure are just a few of the celebrities to share their memories of Scotland.
Two of Hollywood’s biggest Scottish stars, Brian Cox and Dougray Scott, also share their favourite places.

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.”

Two of the most poignant sections centre on music hero Jack Bruce and legendary singer Jean Redpath in last major interviews about the place they called home before both passed away in 2014.

And fabulous views of the Highlands, islands, mountains, lochs and urban landscapes from Shetland down to the Borders are also featured.

Ninety per cent of the book’s profits will be donated to Scottish charities, chiefly the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland, as well as some hand-picked charities close to the hearts of some of the sons and daughters taking part.

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

Anne 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, 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.”

Donovan, who is celebrating his 50 years in the music business this year, is one of the celebrities featured. He said: “It’s a lovely piece of work – I approve of it wholeheartedly.” 

And, inspired by the book, he even wrote a short verse:
“My Scotland will always be ours,
“Wherever we roam,
“Scotia, she is always our home”
My Scotland by its Famous Sons and Daughters is published by Kingfisher Reach Publishing and is available in bookstores and online at www.my-scotland.org
For more information and/or a review copy of the book, contact Anne Graham on 07790 675 849 or emailannejag@aol.com
Or Michael Hamilton on 07976 365776 or email michaeljhamilton@aol.com

SOURCE: VisitScotland

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