Hi and welcome to my review of Abandoned Scotland!

Abandoned Scotland is a new coffee table book from my favourite non-fiction publisher, Amber Books, who already taught me all about cats, dogs, horses, snakes, strange animals, Norway, Japan, Africa, the wild and various hidden places as well endangered places around the globe.

Scotland has been on my travel bucket list ever since I read Outlander, and abandoned buildings have always intrigued me, so I jumped at the chance to read Abandoned Scotland by Alastair Horne.

Abandoned Scotland takes its reader on a tour through Scotland, from the mainland to Skye to the Hebrides and beyond. Amber coffee table books usually accompany gorgeous photos by fun facts. There are fewer fun facts in Abandoned Scotland, the information provided is perhaps a tad drier than I’ve come to expect from these books, but I did learn a few things and I definitely poured over some fantastic photos.

I especially loved the castles and the religious places, the lighthouses and the rural structures, in all seasons and against a vastly different backdrop each and every time. Abandoned buildings in fields, in forests and on cliffs, and abandoned boats and even midget submarines on the beach, man-made structures often increasingly reclaimed by nature, it makes for some stunning images.

Recommended to armchair travellers and anyone who is interested in the rich history of Scotland.

Abandoned Scotland is out in hardcover on 14 September.

Massive thanks to Amber Books and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

This book has stunning photographs, and I was excited to see that it wasn't just abandoned castles exhibited in this book, but railroads, boats, and contemporary buildings that have been abandoned. I was especially excited to see New Slains Castle in the book, as I have actually been there, and my father is from Cruden Bay.ac

With thoughtful information accompanying each photo, it is a lovely tour through Scotland's abandoned buildings and places.

Thank you Netgalley and Amber Books Ltd, for the ARC!

As a fan or Tartan Noir, visiting Scotland is on my bucket list. For now, perusing this volume full of gorgeous photographs will have to do. Seeing these pictures would make you think that this is a barren, lonely country. At the beginning, the author explains how this is not so. Many of the sites depicted here are being restored as of this writing so there is hope yet. As it is, the pictures made me a little sad. So much beauty that few can enjoy, even if some of the sites are not what you would call pretty. Despite some of the sites, the photographs themselves are wonderful. They depict lighthouses, hotels, trains, boats, mines, rural cabins (called bothies, now I know what those are!). Some look like they just closed, there’s little of others left standing; some are in the middle of nowhere, others, in busy cities; some were abandoned in the middle ages, others just a few years ago. The short blurbs that accompany each illustration explain some of the historical details, and all of them are fascinating. It is pretty clear that Scotland is cold and rainy but also incredibly gorgeous.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Amber Books!

Thank you NetGalley and Amber Books Ltd. for access to this fantastic arc!

5/5 stars!

I think this is the perfect gift for anyone who loves Scotland, history, and visual compendiums! This book is both informative and just so stunning. I feel like this will be a perfect coffee table book, and holiday gift idea!! :D

Having recently read a similar book on Ireland and as a Scot I was keen to see this publication. Abandoned Scotland is a feast for the eyes, the quality of the photographs is excellent. Each picture is accompanied by a small snippet of information on the subject which provided me with a reference to further read up on the building. Divided into categories such as Castles, Industrial buildings, Military and Residential, it is a fantastic book for browsing. An excellent coffee table book, it would look good in any library. This is a keeper. Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an advance copy of Abandoned Scotland. A solid five stars.

This is a fantastic book - great subject (who isn't intrigued by the abandoned buildings?), stunning photography, and well put together.

The castles and religious buildong sections in particular were beautiful, but the industrial and military sections (if less pretty!) were so interesting.

Made me want to go and stomp around Scotland and explore half of the places photographed!

Excellent book.

I have more than a mild obsession with Scottish history and particularly ruins, so was thrilled to get my hands on this book. It does not disappoint - the historical detail is excellent and the photos are riveting. Those with no previous knowledge will discover the wonders of ancient Scotland, and those already with familiar with the subject matter will discover fresh places, photos, and treasures.

This is an absolutely beautiful and haunting book. I feel like I had a sense of lives lived in history - from abandoned castles, mills, factories, abbeys, cottages, stores and military installations. I am planning on visiting Scotland this Fall for the first time so enjoyed seeing the beauty of the landscape with the ruins and getting a sense of the Scottish past. This book is majority photographs with a bit of introduction in each section and detailed captions under each photo. I recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amber Books Ltd, Amber Books for an ARC and I left this review voluntarily.

A very nice illustrated book about the variety of Scottish ruins and abandoned buildings that run through Scottish history. The information is brief, but tells the most important things. Very interesting and informative.

Abandoned Scotland is made up of a wide selection of photos, from the country's
picturesque ruined castles to military and industrial ruins which are hardly traditionally beautiful but are certainly interesting. The photos themselves are excellent quality and the use of drones for sone of them give a different perspective which I really enjoyed. The captions to the photos are very short - basically just the location and a general sentence about them so it's not a book to buy as a reference work but as a book of photos, it's wide ranging and beautiful.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy in return for an honest review.

#AbandonedScotland #NetGalley

Gorgeous pictures of a majestic country. This book is dotted with information and historical blurbs. Concise facts with the primary focus on the pictorial story.

Old, abandoned architecture is a long-held fascination of mine. This book makes me want to reach out and touch the brick and mortar of these buildings—to feel their history whisper under the tips of my fingers. Of course the castles and cottages were my favorite, but there is so much to see in this book.

I'm filled with a sudden desire to go to Scotland!

A beautiful photo compendium of the abandoned castles, forts, churches, homes and villages of Scotland, this is a gorgeous book whether you intend to visit Scotland in person or visit from the comfort of the chair in front of your hearth

Stunning photographs of abandoned places in Scotland. Scotland is one place that has always been on my bucket list, and this is a cool way to see places that are probably not often seen. I particularly love the castles as they possess so much history and character, but the oil rigs, factories, and other sites are interesting to see and learn about as well.

Abandoned Scotland is an incredible journey in pictures through the gorgeous country of Scotland. After a short introduction, we visit castles, industrial sites, rural cottages, religious places, and finally military sites.

The Castles section is the largest, and for good reason. There are so many abandoned castles throughout Scotland, each with it's own unique look. They are truly breath-taking. (I am obsessed with Scotland since I read Outlander 30 years ago!) In their current abandoned state, its hard to imagine that these were once vibrant and lively places! Magnificent and awe-inspiring!

Then we go to the Transport, Industrial and Urban section, which is full of structures and buildings that look haunted from the past few centuries. Many of these buildings were only abandoned in the the few decades, and it's amazing to see how quickly nature can tear down what we have built. Fascinating and haunting!

The section of Rural Cottages, Crofts & Islands is a peak into what life was like in old Scotland. It's hard to imagine with the harsh environment how people lived, but some of these cottages are adorable. You can tell that some of these were really homey at one time! Very quaint!

Last, the Religious and Military sections are shorter, but no less impressive. It's always amazed me how much beauty and functionality humans can build into structures of stone and wood. Very impressive!

This book has so many brilliant pictures, and covers a huge variety of abandoned places in Scotland. This would make a great book to have on your coffee table or in your library! Fascinating journey through the past!

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this advanced review copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review on the book!