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154 Forth Naturalist and Historian, volume 22
BOOK REVIEWS
On the Trail of William Wallace. David R. Ross. 1999. Luath Press. 160pp. ISBN
0.946487.47.2. £7.99.
The author, now a colourful ‘character’ in the Scottish history scene, is
bringing a fresh outlook and enthusiasm; physically impressive, he scours the
land by high powered motor bike questing the truth about his subjects, in this
case “ as if personally burdened by the bitter sweet legacy of Wallace.” The sixfoot-five
stalwart kilted leader of this year’s Elderslie Wallace Commemoration
Day, in this book refreshingly illuminates the life, places, memorials of Wallace,
“the one man who gave all he had for his country”. ”What I have set out to do
in this book is to take the bare bones of the historical Wallace’s life and flesh
them out with the Wallace of legend to give a picture of the life of this
remarkable man. It will also act as a guide book, which people with an interest
in Wallace can use to discover where incidents in his life took place, and even
visit them. But, most of all, I hope it will encourage others to follow and build
on the research I have done so far.” 74 places to visit, maps, plans and rare
illustrations – a must purchase!
On the Trail of Robert the Bruce. David R. Ross. 1999. Luath Press. 164pp.
ISBN 0.946487.52.9. £7.99.
While Wallace is the author’s first love, his years of research and visiting
over 60 sites related to Bruce, chart the story of Scotland’s hero-king, through
his days of indecision to his assuming the crown just six months after the death
of Wallace; and of living just long enough to see the 1328 Treaty of Edinburgh’s
signing of Scotland’s Independence. The author shows himself a master of the
brand of hands-on history that made the Trail of Wallace so popular, and not
least in presenting afresh the Battle of Bannockburn, and the Wallace/Bruce
relationship.
Under the Hammer: Edward 1 and Scotland 1286-1306. Fiona Watson. 1998.
Tuckwell Press. 280pp. ISBN 1.86232.020.9. £14.99.
Here is a fresh portrayal of mediaeval Scotland – its parts, its sense of self, its
strengths and weaknesses – how it marshalled its resources into dealing with a
powerful occupying enemy. How the people related to the occupying
administration, wrested with contradictory desires for independence, and for
stable living. The Scotland of Wallace and Bruce illustrates the central role of
the conflict of patriotism and of self-interest in studies of war and conquest.
Firmly based on primary sources* the work is presented under contents
headings – Dramatis personae; Fact and Fiction; the Lion and the Leopard; the
resistable rise of Edwardian government; a Kingdom Divided; Stalemate;
Turning the Screw; ‘Edward the fair’? the Settling of Scotland; Lessons in