25 Books Set in Scotland You’ll Love

If you’re looking for some great books set in Scotland, look no further. 

For those of you who are new here, I’m a literary travel enthusiast, so I write about all things books and travel. In today’s world, real cultural experiences are hard to come by. Culture in many ways has been reduced to a performance for tourists.

But books allow us a genuine peek into a place’s culture and history, and provide one of the best ways to connect authentically with the places we travel. So, I’ve been slowly reading my way around the world, focusing every few months on a different country’s literature to explore.

In conjunction with recent travels there, I’ve read tons of books set in Scotland over the last six months, and I’m ready to share my honest recommendations with other readers. In this list, you’ll find a mixture of genres, from poetry to non-fiction to novels set in Scotland. 

As always, I try to read books by as many local writers as possible, not just outsiders writing about the country (though those aren’t without value, and you’ll find several on this list). I discover these books by talking to locals and perusing the local sections of indie bookshops, supplemented with some scouring of the corners of the internet.

I’ve read each of these books personally. Of course, not every book will be for every reader, and that’s okay. You’ll find that some of these books get a much stronger recommendation than others, and some are well outside my usual genres. There’s such a diversity on this list, I think there is something for everyone, and I try to be clear about who will enjoy each book. So take a peek and see if you can find a Scottish book to add to your TBR, whether or not you’ll be traveling there in the near future.  

Don’t forget to pin this post to reference later:

Whenever possible, I recommend buying books at local bookshops or through Bookshop.org, because shopping there puts the profits right into the hands of indie bookstores all over the country.

For your convenience, all of the books on this list can be found on my list at Bookshop.org (with a couple of exceptions that aren’t available there):

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The Anthology of Scottish Folk Tales

Storytelling is an important part of Scottish culture, and the Anthology of Scottish Folk Tales is a great way to get a taste of it. It’s also a worthwhile introduction to Scottish literary tradition more generally.  The anthology is organized by region — because as any lover of folklore knows, there are vast regional storytelling differences, even within a relatively small country. 

In this collection, local storytellers from each region retell some of its classic folk tales, all with their own twist. There’s faerie stories, mythical origin stories, cautionary tales, and romance. I thoroughly enjoyed picking my way through this book, reading just one story or sometimes an entire section in one sitting. 

It’s a fantastic book to read before visiting Scotland, even if you don’t read it cover-to-cover. You can always simply read the sections from the places you’ll be visiting, and you’ll get some enjoyment, insight, and value out of it. 

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Landlines by Raynor Winn

Landlines by Raynor Winn is a gorgeous memoir and non-fiction adventure book. In it, Raynor recounts what started as a seemingly impossible attempt — to hike Scotland’s Cape Wrath trail with her husband, Moth, whose health is failing. Moth is battling a degenerative disease and can barely walk a mile. Still, the couple saw the benefits of long-distance walking when they hiked the Southwest Coast Path (recounted in the more famous book, The Salt Path) and wonder if the trails can work their magic again. 

So, they choose once again to “put themselves in the way of hope.” This time, they begin in the northwest corner of Scotland. The journey is challenging, disheartening, healing, slow-going, and inspiring. I love that this hiking memoir doesn’t focus on speed or miles covered in a day — just a couple of walkers who love hiking for its own sake. 

Mixed in with description of the (ever lengthening) journey are Winn’s observations about environment, culture, and politics — fascinating topics given that they were hiking during the Brexit and Scottish secession votes as well as COVID lockdowns. 

I absolutely loved Landlines by Raynor Winn and recommend it to anyone who wants a greater appreciation of the Scottish landscape and wants a walker’s view on the gorgeous country. I have a feeling this will make it on my list of my top reads from this year.

Note: I listened to Landlines as an audiobook, and I highly recommend it. It’s read by the author and is a lovely listen. If you’re wondering whether Audible is worth it, you can check out my analysis.

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The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks

Let me start by saying that gothic and horror are NOT my genres, but they’re such an important part of Scottish literature today that of course I had to step outside my comfort zone. The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks is dark and unnerving. It’s written as a first person narrative of a disturbed young man on a remote Scottish island who also happens to be a murdering psychopath. 

It’s hard to summarize this book, and it was definitely uncomfortable reading, but it is well-written and undeniably memorable. If you enjoy darker literature, consider giving this novel set in Scotland a read. 

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Corrag/ Witch Light/ The Highland Witch by Susan Fletcher

I don’t often give books a five-star rating on Goodreads, but I did for Witch Light by Susan Fletcher. This is historical fiction at its best, and it’s an absolutely gorgeous Scottish novel. 

Titled Corrag, Witch Light, or The Highland Witch depending on the country in which you buy it — the novel brings to life the local legends of a supposed witch named Corrag who warned Clan MacDonald before the infamous Glencoe Massacre in 1692. 

Fletcher’s envisioning of Corrag is rich and layered, and Corrag’s love and connection to the Scottish landscape is deeply moving. The descriptions of the Glen Coe valley will leave you wanting to ditch technology and run away to the highlands to live in the woods and dance in the rain. 

I loved this book so much it made it on my list of my top reads from 2023. 

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Related: I love reading my way through different countries. You can check out my recommendations for books set in Greece, books set in Italy, books set in Hawaii, and books set in San Francisco.

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Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon

I’ll be perfectly honest, it took me a little while to get into Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon. That said, I was so glad I pushed through the initial struggle, because it’s a gorgeous book and one of my favorites on this list of books set in Scotland. By the end, I could fully see why this book has been voted Scotland’s Favorite Book, even over Harry Potter, which was written in Edinburgh. 

This literary fiction novel follows Chris Guthrie, a farmer’s daughter growing up in the fictional Scottish town of Kinraddie. She is torn by two worlds, and two identities — her Scottish identity, deeply tied to the land and her people; and her English identity, the one that learns English, excels in school, and is bound to be a teacher. The novel investigates this inner conflict in her while exploring that larger conflict in her town and in Scotland, while the First World War looms and threatens the entire Scottish rural way of life.

It’s difficult to describe this gorgeous Scottish novel, but if you enjoy literary fiction, definitely give this one a try. It’s worth any initial effort required.

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The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

The Winter Sea is the first book in the Scottish trilogy by Susanna Kearsley. It is a long book at over 500 pages, but really, it’s two books in one. In the present day, Carrie McLelland is a historical fiction novelist who feels an undeniable pull to Slains Castle on the eastern coast of Scotland as the setting of her next book. She chooses one of her ancestors’ names to lend to one of her characters, but as she writes her novel, she begins to wonder whether she is indeed writing fiction, or if she’s channeling forgotten history through ancestral memory.

This is a romantic story (PG) with a fantastic sense of place at Slains Castle, the castle which also inspired Bram Stoker when he was writing Dracula. It focuses on a less widely known part of the Jacobite rebellion, the failed invasion of 1708, and Susanna Kearsley has obviously thoroughly researched her subject. It’s overall an enjoyable read and a fun historical fiction novel set in Scotland. 

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My Heart’s In the Highlands: Classic Scottish Poems

Scotland loves its poets, so no Scottish book list would be complete without a taste of Scottish poetry. My Heart’s in the Highlands is an excellent anthology of Scottish poems. You’ll find many by Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, some great poems by Robert Louis Stevenson, some from Sir Walter Scott, and many many more by lesser known poets and bards. 

The themes included span from poems about Scottish history, to love, to the Scottish landscape, and more. Plus, the book’s introduction by Gaby Morgan is a brief but a fantastic overview of the role of poetry in Scotland.

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Related: Enjoy reading world literature? Check out my recommended novels set in Barcelona, all of which are translated from Spanish or Catalan.

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The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell

The Diary of a Bookseller is unique among the others on this list of Scottish books to read. It is quite literally what the title implies — the daily diary and musings of a bookseller in Scotland’s booktown, Wigtown. 

Bookstore owner Shaun Bythell is a lovable misanthrope, sort of the Luke Danes of Wigtown for all my fellow Gilmore Girls lovers. He writes down the often idiotic things customers say and do with a wry, cynical humor. He also records what he’s reading, how he acquires new books, and details in helping run the annual Wigtown Book Festival. 

Bythell also records each day’s sales figures and profits. I thoroughly enjoyed this book — though the often shockingly low daily profits gave me some anxiety and reaffirmed more than ever that I am always doing the right thing when I buy as many books as I like from local, indie bookstores. It also earns one of the top spots among my favorite books about bookstores.

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Related: If you’re visiting Edinburgh, Scotland, make sure you check out my favorite Edinburgh bookstores there. 

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44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith

Alexander McCall Smith became my go-to comfort book writer when I came across his No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series several years ago. His way of developing and writing characters is very uncomplicated, very humorous, and very cozy. Reading the Ladies’ Detective Agency series always gives me the sensation of a warm cup of tea, and 44 Scotland Street feels much the same way.

This book — the first in a series — recounts the quaint goings on of the residents of 44 Scotland Street in Edinburgh. The central characters are lovingly satirical and recognizably Scottish.

Try this book if you’re not in the mood to delve deep into the human psyche, but be pleasantly amused by it for a couple of hours. I also love that this series started because McCall Smith wanted to try out serialized writing. This whole book was written and published as a weekly newspaper serial, which I find delightfully nostalgic.

Tip: 44 Scotland Street is a real address in Edinburgh and can be visited during your literary tour of Edinburgh. You can also visit author Alexander McCall Smith’s handprints near City Chambers. 

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Clanlands: Whisky, Warfare, and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish

Fans of Outlander might enjoy reading Clanlands. This is a non-fiction book by two Outlander stars recounting their road trip across Scotland in an attempt to understand what it means to be Scottish today. 

That’s a very serious explanation for a very lighthearted book, however. Clanlands is a companion book to the tv show Men in Kilts, featuring Sam Heughan (aka Jamie Fraser) and Graham McTavish (aka Dougal MacKenzie). In their cross-country travels, the duo get up to all sorts of nonsense, playing pranks on each other and good-naturedly driving each other crazy. 

Clanlands is undeniably corny, packed with dad jokes and eyeroll-indudcing humor. Still, it’s a fun exploration of how Scotland’s history and traditions are still being kept alive today.  

Warning: this book contains serious spoilers from the Outlander tv series! You might think that would be obvious as it was written by two of the show’s stars, but I wasn’t expecting them and was a little miffed at the lack of spoiler warning, as I haven’t yet watched all the seasons of the show.

I recommend listening to the audiobook version of this, as the book is based on the dialogue and banter of the two friends and actors on their travels, and they do their own readings. 

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White Rose Rebel by Janet Paisley

On the surface, White Rose Rebel is a Scottish historical romance, but to reduce it to such doesn’t really do it credit. It tells the story of the real women of the Jacobite Uprising of 1745 and in particular, of Colonel Anne Farquharson. Colonel Anne has become known as the “female braveheart” — when her husband and clan leader failed to support the Jacobite cause, she herself rallied the clan to join and help lead the uprising. 

While little is known of the real Colonel Anne, Paisley draws her as a fiery and passionate leader whose creative strategies are essential to the rebellion. It’s a fascinating look at the cultural differences between a woman’s place and privilege in Scotland versus England, and what Scottish women stand to lose if the uprising fails. 

This historical fiction book is also indeed a romance novel, with a central love triangle and a handful of steamy scenes for romance lovers.

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Knots & Crosses by Ian Rankin

Ian Rankin is one of the most popular and successful Scottish writers of the last century. He’s the quintessential “tartan noir” (moody Scottish crime) writer whose books have become bestsellers on multiple continents. 

Knots & Crosses was published in 1987 and began his bestselling Inspector Rebus series, which is still continuing today. Though I don’t typically pick up many mystery novels, I knew that I couldn’t complete my Scottish books reading list without giving Rankin a try. I found myself thoroughly engaged and invested in Knots & Crosses, even having figured out the murderer by halfway through the book. It features some great storytelling and solid writing (Rankin was working on a PhD in Scottish literature when he wrote this book, and it shows).

Rankin has continued to write Inspector Rebus novels, and to date there are 24 of them. Though I haven’t read any more of them yet, Rankin himself notes that the style and even the central character have greatly changed over the years, and that Knots & Crosses is “in some ways a complete disaster area.” If that’s true then the quality of later books must be nothing to scoff at.

If you’re a lover of detective novels and looking for some Scottish crime fiction, the Inspector Rebus series may be right up your alley. 

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Related: Inspector Rebus’s favorite Edinburgh pub is one of the many literary sights in Edinburgh that book lovers can check out.

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Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine was all the rage several years ago, and I never picked it up. Then, when I recently visited an Edinburgh bookshop and found a signed copy, I decided to give it a read, and I’m so glad I did. Despite my preconceptions, this Scottish novel is not just fluff. 

It’s set in Glasgow, Scotland and features an unusual narrator, Eleanor Oliphant. She lives alone, works a desk job, and does whatever she can to make the in-between-work hours go by as quickly as possible. As the book progresses, we learn about her loneliness, her trauma, and watch her begin the process of healing and of finding what it means to belong. 

Overall, this novel is charming and funny and pulls at the heart strings in a very genuine way.

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The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark

Muriel Spark was a Scottish writer, born and educated in Edinburgh, Scotland. She wrote extensively, but it was The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (published in 1961) that catapulted her to international literary fame.

In The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, the titular character is a teacher at an all girls’ school in Edinburgh, and she is, as she tells the girls, “in her prime.” Miss Brodie is an unconventional teacher who would much rather instill her personal set of values in her 10-year-old students than teach anything in the curriculum. 

From her students, she selects six girls to mentor more closely, even going so far as to confide in them about her personal life and love affairs and to direct them in theirs. The novella follows Jean Brodie as well as her students as the “Brodie set” enter their teenage years and adulthood. Despite Miss Brodie no longer being their teacher, her influence shapes them each in different ways. 

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Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson

First published in 1886, Kidnapped is an iconic historical fiction novel by beloved Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson. It’s a grand adventure book set in Scotland following the Jacobite uprisings of the1700s. David Balfour, the protagonist, is a recently orphaned teenager whose uncle plots his kidnapping in order to steal his inheritance.

What follows is an adventure that involves shipwrecks, danger, scheming, double crossing, and Jacobite history. This is an adventure novel, though it ties in the real-life event of Colin “The Red Fox” Campbell’s murder and the lead suspect, Alan Breck Stewart, whom Balfour meets and befriends while captive. 

Tip: There’s a statue of David Balfour you can see on a literary tour of Edinburgh. 

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Related: Robert Louis Stevenson wrote masterful adventure novels. Treasure Island was one of my favorite reads from 2022 and made it onto my list of easy classics anyone can read. 

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Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

As much as you may have already heard about it, I cannot in good conscience leave Outlander off this list of great books to read that are set in Scotland. Despite its intimidating length, the first Outlander book is a page turner, to say the least. Claire Randall is a nurse in 1945 England who finds herself slipping back in time to 18th century Scotland. As she tries to find her way back to her time, life, and husband, she finds herself more and more tied to the larger-than-life highlander Jamie Fraser.

The first book in this series is full of romance, adventure, history, and a dreamy if romantic depiction of the Scottish highlands. Gabaldon has expressed frustration with Outlander being labeled a romance novel, and I agree that that label is misleading. If you’ve avoided reading it for whatever reason, my advice is to leave your preconceptions behind, and let yourself be taken for a journey in this incredible book in Scotland. 

Despite being written by an American, Outlander is credited with inspiring a resurgence of interest in Scottish history, inspiring many more Scottish historical fiction and romance books, and boosting tourism to Scotland.

Note: One thing I didn’t realize before starting is that it’s really only the first book in the series that’s set in Scotland — the second is partially set in Scotland, but the rest of the series is mostly set elsewhere (trying not to give spoilers here!). 

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Related: The narrator of the Outlander audiobooks, Davina Porter, is one of my picks for the best audiobook narrators.

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Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Macbeth is the only one of Shakespeare’s plays that take place in Scotland, so it’s sometimes referred to as “the Scottish Play.” It’s a tragedy very loosely based on a real historical figure who lived in the 11th century. After hearing a witch’s prophecy that he would be King of Scotland, Macbeth and his wife embark on a bloody journey to win and then defend the crown of Scotland. 

This Shakespeare play is dark, bloody, and full of gothic elements (witches, prophecies, and the original “double double, toil and trouble”), plus some of Shakespeare’s most iconic monologues — “is this a dagger which I see before me?” and “out, damned spot!” among them. 

In Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth lives in a castle in Inverness, though Inverness Castle is currently closed for a large renovation project. Other popular Macbeth castles people visit for the literary connection include Cawdor Castle (though it was built after Macbeth died) and Glamis Castle, which has a Macbeth Trail of sculptures inspired by the play.

Related: Another popular Shakespeare Castle is Hamlet’s Castle in Denmark. I was lucky enough to visit a few years ago and check it out for myself.

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Related:  I know it’s a cliche, but it’s absolutely true — Shakespeare’s plays are meant to be SEEN, not necessarily read. For people in the US, I recommend a trip to see Shakespeare in Staunton, Virginia at the American Shakespeare Center. In the UK, of course, there are many options. Seeing a play at the Globe Theatre in London is an unforgettable experience, as is seeing the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon.

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The Lady of the Loch by Elena Collins

The Lady of the Loch is a Scottish novel featuring dual timelines — the first is in the 1300s during the time of Robert the Bruce. We follow the life of a young Scottish kitchen maid named Agnes who escapes the burning of Kildrummy Castle by the English. She flees with her younger sister to Ravenscraig Castle, north of Inverness, where she finds new work, love, and eventually, another tragedy. 

The modern timeline tells the story of twin sisters Zoe and Leah, who live in Birmingham. Zoe is confident and well-established in life, but Leah has felt lost and depressed for years. When Leah realizes the happiest times of her life were her childhood trips to Scotland, she impulsively accepts a job as the Ravenscraig Castle live-in caretaker. What she doesn’t know until she gets there is that the locals all avoid Ravenscraig Castle, believing it haunted.

The Lady of the Loch is an undemanding novel that’s entertaining, if a bit overly romanticized, and is a nice cozy Scottish mystery tale to read before visiting the Scottish highlands. It’s also a nice way to get an introduction to some earlier Scottish history.

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Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher

Winter Solstice is a cozy novel set in Scotland but not without heartbreak. After an unspeakable tragedy strikes her newfound friends in a small English village, Elfrida Phipps finds herself in an unexpected situation. She has agreed to accompany the newly widowered Oscar to his family house in northern Scotland for the winter, to keep him company while he grieves. 

Through serendipitous happenstance, they are joined by three other guests. Each of the five characters finds some degree of hope or healing, becoming an unlikely family during a Christmas that will change them all forever. 

Winter Solstice is lovely, with colorfully written characters you can’t help but root for. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for novels set in Scotland or a unique Christmas book to read. 

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The Edinburgh Mystery: and Other Tales of Scottish Crime

In recent decades, Scotland has really made a name for itself in crime fiction. The Edinburgh Mystery anthology is a great introduction to the genre, as it features short crime stories set in Scotland, from the alleys of Edinburgh to the hills of the highlands. 

You’ll find stories by lesser known writers as well as by some writers you’ll recognize, like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Robert Louis Stevenson. There’s a lot of variety here — detective fiction, gothic, and psychological thriller. 

Especially if crime fiction is not your usual genre, try this anthology to at least get a taste for this part of Scotland’s literary culture. 

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Related: If you’re a fan of Robert Louis Stevenson, don’t miss the Edinburgh Writers’ Museum, which has an entire RLS exhibit. 

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The Maiden by Kate Foster

The Maiden by Kate Foster is one of the newest releases in this list of books set in Scotland. This is a speculative fiction novel based on the true, sensational criminal trial of Lady Christian Nimmo in Edinburgh in 1679. 

In the real trial, the young Lady Christian was executed for the murder of her Uncle, a respected Scottish gentleman. It was widely believed that the pair were also lovers. 

In The Maiden, Foster imagines what could have led a young, married, and well-to-do woman to 1- sleep with and 2- murder – her uncle. She also weaves in a companion storyline from the perspective of Violet, a fictional orphan who falls into prostitution to survive and who plays an important part in Foster’s story. 

This Scottish novel tackles such topics as sexuality, pedophilia, grooming, sexual and physical abuse, and communal culpability. It wasn’t my favorite of the books set in Scotland I’ve read, but I think it has a lot to offer to the right reader. 

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The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan

Nina is a quiet, introverted librarian from Birmingham, England who decides to take a big risk — buying a van and creating her own mobile bookstore in the Scottish highlands. The characters are all familiar tropes, and the plot follows classic formulas, but in a nice, comforting way.

You’ve got a shy girl coming out of her shell, a found family, a budding romance, and the residents of a small town rediscovering their love of books and being all the better for it. 

The Bookshop on the Corner is a modern Pride & Prejudice with Hallmark Movie Channel vibes.  It’s uplifting, if not necessarily true to life — a great book in which to escape reality for a while. Plus, the setting in a small Scottish town in the highlands is absolutely dreamy. 

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Women of the Dunes by Sarah Maine

Women of the Dunes is a Scottish novel that weaves together stories from three different centuries in one fictional town on the wild coast of northern Scotland. In the modern timeline, Libby travels to Ullaness on an archaeological dig, supposedly to learn more about the legend of Ulla for which the town is named. But she herself has more recent and more personal ties to the place, and she is secretly hoping to get some answers to her own family mysteries.

As the archaeological dig continues, we get glimpses of the stories of Libby’s recent ancestors as well as glimpses into the legend of Ulla they are trying to uncover. The archaeological element was one I enjoyed, and as the author is herself a trained archaeologist, it’s quite convincingly done.

Those who enjoy multi-storyline books and changing perspectives should add this novel by Sarah Maine in your Scotland reading.

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Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz

For fans of Young Adult fiction, or just those looking for a light, engaging read with a dark twist, try Anatomy by Dana Schwarz. This novel takes place in Edinburgh during the 1800s. The main character is Hazel Sinnett, a well-born society girl who, despite her family’s marital expectations for her, wants nothing more than to become a surgeon. 

Hazel will stop at nothing to achieve that goal, including taking on disguises, sneaking into forbidden lectures, and engaging with the infamous Edinburgh body snatchers, or resurrection men. Disguises, intrigue, body snatchers, alchemy, and a love story, it’s all there in the dark, moody alleys of 19th century Edinburgh. 

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Coming soon: a book from Andy the Highlander

Few people who love Scotland and highland culture don’t know about Andy the Highlander. He’s all over social media, in full kilt and highland attire, teaching about Scottish history and traditions. He’s also become an incredibly in-demand tour guide in Scotland.

In January, 2025, he is releasing his first book, Lochs and Legends: A Scotsman’s Guide to the Heart of Scotland, and I have a feeling it’s going to quickly earn a place on my list of Scottish books to read.

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Well, those are my 25+ recommendations for the best books set in Scotland. I’ve been honest and transparent in my assessment of each and tried to be clear about what sort of reader will enjoy each book on the list. Do you have any more Scottish book recommendations? Feel free to send them to me!

And don’t forget to pin this post so you can reference it later.