The Scots have always had a reputation for clarity of thought and also for the vigour with which it is put into words.

This collection spans the entire gamut of a nation's recorded thought and experience from Roman Scotland to the present day. It covers a vast range of subject matter and demonstrates a remarkable variety of moods and tones, from the literary to the colloquial and bawdy. Packed with sharp observation and humour, it sounds other notes too. Meditative, triumphant, tragic, accusing, tender and often hilarious it reveals the spirit of Scotland in a truly unique way.