SCOTLAND has captivated storytellers for centuries. From the windswept moors of the Highlands to the gritty streets of Glasgow , every corner of the country has found its way into literature, resulting in thousands of works of fiction. 6 The Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, is among the places that have inspired books 6 The famous Trainspotting was set in Edinburgh To mark Book Lovers Day, today, VisitScotland has analysed over 11,500 books on the Goodreads database to reveal readers’ top-rated reads set in Scotland - and the regions most frequently depicted in literature.
While the top regions include the Highlands, Edinburgh & The Lothians, and Glasgow & Clyde Valley, there are many hidden gems that inspire writers, including islands like St. Kilda and South Uist. Marc Lambert, Chief Executive of Scottish Book Trust says: “Scotland’s wild landscapes and dramatic history have been a rich source of inspiration for writers for centuries and readers around the world continue to be drawn to the literature of our country.
There’s a long tradition within the Scots and Gaelic languages for storytelling inspired by place, and our writing talent continue to find a creative energy here.” Here are the top five Scots spots that feature in fiction: READ MORE IN TRAVEL PIPE DREAM Inside the iconic tourist event that attracts thousands to Scotland every year SANDS AMAZING Six Scots beaches among best in UK with idyllic dunes & clear turquoise water 1. The Highlands - 2,815 books Top rated book: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon WITH its endless selection of dramatic views, the Highlands provides a scenery that has long fascinated writers and readers alike.
The most frequently featured locations in literature are Skye, Inverness and the Cairngorm Mountains. Most read in Travel GET SET New assault course & 'zombie gun range' set for 'best place to live in Scotland' PACKING UP Budget airline scraps free luggage allowance for thousands of passengers DOWN THE PAN ‘I could cry’ sob parents as Scots tourist attraction announces shock closure GROUNDED British Airways to suspend flights to one of the world’s oldest cities this year Shakespeare himself mentions Cawdor Castle , near Nairn, in the iconic Macbeth. Meanwhile, the first book in the Outlander series, in which Diana Gabaldon brought the Highlands to life transporting readers to 18th century Scotland , has over one million ratings on Goodreads.
Discover the Scenic Arran Coastal Way 2. Edinburgh & The Lothians - 1,646 books Top rated book: One Day by David Nicholls THE capital has inspired authors with its ancient architecture and Old and New Towns. Dan Brown set the finale of best-seller The Da Vinci Code in Rosslyn Chapel in Midlothian, making it the feature point in the quest for the location of the Holy Grail.
6 One Day was set around Edinburgh One Day by David Nicholls tops the list 336,555 ratings. Now a popular Netflix series, follows Emma and Dexter over two decades Trainspotting , by Irvine Welsh , also stands out at 166,937. Set in Leith, offers a raw and gritty portrayal of of the city .
3. Glasgow & The Clyde Valley - 1,154 books Top rated book: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman 6 Glasgow has been the setting for more than 1,000 books THE bustling streets and vibrant culture of Scotland’s biggest city are the ideal backdrop for storytelling. The Glasgow Goodreads top-rated books is Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman with an impressive 1,221,212 ratings.
It explores the life of Eleanor, who leads a solitary existence while navigating her daily routines in the city of Glasgow. Meanwhile, Shuggie Bain, with 150,742 ratings, follows the story of young man and his relationship with his mother, Agnes, as they confront the harsh realities of life in working-class Glasgow in the 80s and 90s. 4.
Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire - 801 books Top rated book: The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley 6 Slains castle, near Cruden Bay, is said to be inspirational THE area’s rocky coastline and sweeping sandy beaches stretch out to the North Sea - inspiring plenty of authors. Visitors can explore the mystical landscapes of Cruden Bay, a coastal gem in Aberdeenshire, said to have inspired Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula. The top-rated books is The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley, while The Firebird, by the same author, also rates highly.
The Winter Sea, with 66,077 ratings, follows author Carrie McClelland as she seeks inspiration for her latest novel in the atmospheric ruins of Slains Castle, on the coast of Cruden Bay. 5. The Outer Hebrides - 770 books Top rated books: The Blackhouse by Peter May 6 Lewis inspired Peter May THE Outer Hebrides’ untamed beauty is a perfect setting for stories of adventure and introspection.
According to the analysis, the top-rated books set in the region include the first two books in Peter May’s Lewis Trilogy. Read more on the Scottish Sun PARKING PAINS 'Mind blowing behaviour', say NC500 locals as tourists 'block' cars passing HUNG UP Hundreds of Scots jobs 'at risk' as retail giant proposes call centre closure The Blackhouse, with 39,764 ratings, follows detective Fin Macleod as he returns to the Isle of Lewis to investigate a brutal murder . And The Lewis Man, with 26,865 ratings, sees Macleod drawn into another murder investigation on the isle, this time focusing on a body discovered buried in the peat bogs.
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