The Price of Scotland by Douglas Watt sampler

douglas watt is an historian and historical crime writer. He was born
in Edinburgh and has an ma and phd in Scottish History from Edinburgh
University. He is the author of a series of historical crime novels set in late
17th century Scotland featuring investigative advocate John MacKenzie
and his side-kick Davie Scougall. Douglas lives in East Lothian with his
wife Julie.
Praise for The Price of Scotland
Exceptionally well written, it reads like a novel. As I say – if you’re not
Scottish and live here – read it. If you’re Scottish read it anyway. It’s a very,
very good book.
matthew perren, i-on magazine
It is this mess [the state of Scotland at the time of Union] to which Douglas
Watt has brought an economist’s eye and poet’s sensibility in the Price of
Scotland… to show definitively… that over-ambition and mismanagement,
rather than English mendacity, doomed Scotland’s imperial ambitions.
ruaridh nicoll, the observer
… a compelling and insightful contribution to our understanding of Darien.
bill jamieson, the scotsman
A fundamental re-evaluation of the Darien project… What we have here
are the opinions of a historian who became a financial analyst and
who has worked in the world of finance. Watt uses his background to
bring to life the history and the economics of the Company of Scotland…
Watt shows with devastating effectiveness the level of sheer financial mismanagement
and poor and stupid strategic decisions on the part of the
Company directors.
the scottish review of books
The Price of Scotland treats Darien as a financial mania.
brian groom, the financial times
Douglas Watt’s lucid account of the affairs of the Company of Scotland is
a valuable contribution.
sunday herald
A fresh assessment of the disastrous attempt to establish a trading colony
in the tropical and hostile conditions of Central America.
the herald