15 Must-Read Books That Take Place in Scotland (2026)
Looking for books that take place in Scotland? As someone who reads around 50-60 books every year, I’ve come across many that are set in places all around Scotland; the highlands, its medieval cities and towns, and remote coastal islands. Scotland has beautiful landscape, a distinct cultural heritage, and so much fascinating history.
Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres, and a good deal of books taking place in Scotland fall into that category (although, not all.) I’ve read books set in modern day Scotland, and some that take place hundreds of years ago. After spending hours reading numerous books and carefully looking at ratings and reviews, I believe I have a complete list of the best books set in Scotland.
Best Books That Take Place in Scotland
1. Witch Light/Corrag/The Highland Witch
By: Susan Fletcher
Genre: Historical fiction, fantasy
Published in: 2010
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7)
Witch Light by Susan Fletcher appears under three different titles. It’s exactly the same book, but depending on where you buy it, you may find it under any of those three names. I bought it in Canada, under the name The Highland Witch. Regardless of which title you find it under, it is definitely worth a read! (To avoid confusion, I’m just going to call it Witch Light.)
Witch Light takes place in the Scottish Highlands in the 1600s, and centres around a girl named Corrag who’s accused of witchcraft, imprisoned and awaiting what promises to be a horrific execution. Corrag is accused of being involved in a horrible massacre in the Highlands in1692 which you can read the true story about here.
Corrag is questioned by an Irish man, Charles Leslie when she’s in jail – the story is told from his perspective and Corrag’s. At first, he sees her as a horrible, disgusting creature and its interesting to read about his changing perspective as he talks to her, as well as Corrag’s inner thoughts, and recounts of her past. It’s a beautifully written book, with the relationship between Corrag and Charles developing, and the beautiful nature of the Scottish highlands depicted.
It’s a dark book at times, and as you can imagine, many sad moments are mentioned. The words in the book really spoke to me; about life, death and the relationship that we can have with nature. I felt connected to Corrag’s character and I couldn’t put down this book. It turns out Corrag’s chaacter is based on a Scottish legend. Witch Light is actually the highest-rated book of all of the books set in Scotland on this list, and I highly believe after reading it that it deserves that praise.
2. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
By: Gail Honeyman
Genre: Fiction, Mental Health, Contemporary, Romance
Published in: 2018
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5)
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is about a socially awkward, loner 29-year-old who lives in Glasgow. As you read about the character, you’ll notice that she is socially isolated from family and friends and does a lot of very peculiar things. She doesn’t have an official diagnosis that is mentioned, but her behaviours and routines keep her at a distance from society (which she doesn’t mind – she’s “completely fine.”)
One day, meeting someone new motivates Eleanor to change some of her habits- but the process of change causes her to have to do some inner work that dredges up old memories. As you get closer to the end, you’ll see that Eleanor comes from a family with a dark past. The book has painfully sad parts and funny parts. I laughed out loud a couple of times and other times felt awful for Eleanor. Overall, I loved it. It was the author’s first-ever novel, and it won lots of awards!
3. Once, There Were Wolves
By: Charlotte Mcconoughay
Genre: Fiction, mystery, contemporary, thriller
Published in: 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4)
Once, There Were Wolves takes place in modern times in the Scottish Highlands. It’s about wolves being introduced back into the Highlands, after disappearing from there hundreds of years ago when they were hunted to extinction. (This isn’t something that’s happened in real life yet, but it is often a topic up for debate.)
In the book, wolves have already been reintroduced, and the story centers around a biologist in her 30s named Inti who is very passionate about the reintroduction of wolves, and very protective of them. She’s met with some backlash, becuase most of the people living in the are not in favour of the wolves being back.
Inti falls in love with a local police officer, and strange things start to happen. A couple of the town’s people end up dead, and it’s uncertain whether they were killed by a person, or by the wolves. Inti doesn’t want her wolves to be blamed, but she is also is hiding a secret.
It’s actually a pretty quick read (less than 300 pages) and I personally enjoyed it. It has an environmental message too. I will warn that there is some graphic violence described. The majority of Once There Were Wolves is set in Scotland, but some parts of Inti’s past take place in Canada and Australia.
4. The Outlander Series
By: Diane Gabaldon
Genre: Historical fiction, fantasy, romance, time travel
Published in: 1991-2021
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5)
It would be impossible to make a list of the best books set in Scotland without mentioning the Outlander books – I imagine you’ve heard of them (or even read them.) The Outlander series is the most popular books set in Scotland, and they’ve inspired a lot of travel to Scotland. There are tourist attractions specifically catered to Outlander fans, either the books or the Netflix TV show.
The Outlander books centre around a main character named Claire. She’s an English lady who served as a nurse in the 1940s, but mysterious magics transport her back into time to the 1700s in Scotland.
Claire’s a strong and very intelligent character with medical knowledge that is life changing for people in the 1700s. She falls in love with a Jacobite Highlander named Jamie. The books are about their story as a couple as well as their loved ones, but they are very heavy on the descriptions of life in 1700s Scottish Highlands, as well as what was going on in Scotland at the time. The Jacobite rising, pressures and control from the English, emigration to the Americas, the American Revolutionary Warm and other historical events.
I’ve read the Outlander books up until book # 7 (plan to read the rest), and I’ve also watched the TV show. The Outlander books aren’t quick and fast-paced; they’re more character-driven and are books to be savoured, and admired for all the detail. If you don’t love being immersed in detailed books with over 500 pages, then the books might not be for you. But if you don’t mind the length and enjoy the in depth then you’ll likely enjoy them. They’re beautifully written, and the characters feel very real. I’ve also learned a lot about history that I never would have known!
5. Women of the Dunes
By: Sarah Maine
Genre: Historical fiction, mystery, romance
Published in: 2018
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4)
Women of the Dunes is a murder mystery that spans centuries on the west coast of Scotland, and takes place in modern times as well as historical times. In the modern day, an archaeologist investigates the story that her grandmother told her, only to find out that it may have involved murder, and it’s connected directly to her own biological ancestors.
Women of the Dunes is told in three different perspectives from different time periods (1800s and modern day, and all the way back to the 8th century BC.) I haven’t actually read this one yet, but I’m pretty sure this will be the next book set in Scotland that I read. It’s the only book on this list that explores iron age Scotland, before it was even called Scotland. According to the reviews, the land and the people are described with a lot of detail and it is beautifully written.
6. A Bound Heart
By: Laura Frantz
Genre: Historical fiction, romance, Christian fiction
Published in: 2019
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6)
A Bound Heart takes place on the Isle of Kerrera (a real place) in Scotland in the 1700s. It’s about a laird of a palace and his beekeeper who are banished from their Scottish island and sent overseas to the new colony in Virginia.
It has an element of faith (Christianity) but doesn’t feel preachy – just significant in the lives of the main characters, who are trying to adapt to the new world. The landscapes are described so much in detail, that you can feel like you’re there.
7. Trainspotting
By: Irving Welsch
Genre: Fiction, contemporary, crime, classics
Published in: 1993
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5)
Trainspotting is a classic that came out in the early 90s, and its turned into a massive series that is all apart of the “Trainspotting-verse”. It’s been turned into movies, and there’s a TV mini series being made as well.
The first book in the series is simply called Trainspotting and its about a group of men in their mid-20s living in Edinburgh who navigate a darker existence characterized by poverty, crime and drug addictions.
As you can imagine with a group that uses heroine, there is quite a bit of talk of drugs, a lot of bad language, and prostitution. If those themes will bother you, then I wouldn’t recommend the books. Even though Trainspotting does deal with these kinds of heavier topics, its a literary work of art and its a book that you have to really pay attention to to know what’s going on. It’s not a quick or easy read. Even though the characters are morally questionable, you’ll find yourself liking and empathising with them; they’re well written with multidimensional sides, much like real people.
8. The Young Team
By: Graeme Armstrong
Genre: Fiction, coming of age, contemporary
Published in: 2020
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6)
Similar to Trainspotting, The Young Team talks about the drug and crime scene of Scotland. Its a coming of age book that will soon be turned into a BBC series.(If you like Trainspotting, you’ll probably like The Young Team too, and vice versa.)
The book is told in different time periods from the main character, Azzy’s, point of view. Azzy is a teenage boy living in a northern, industrial town in Scotland. He lives a ‘rough’ life starting from age 14, and the story unfolds as he grows into his 20s. The book covers a lot of social issues, such as men’s mental health, suicide, addiction. Like Trainspotting, it’s also written in Scottish dialect which means there may be a few words you haven’t seen before if you aren’t from Scotland!
9. The Hunting Party
By: Lucy Foley
Genre: Thriller, mystery, fiction
Published in: 2019
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.1)
When I want an easy, fun read that will keep me turning the pages, Lucy Foley never lets me down – and The Hunting Party is no different. It’s about a group of friends in their 30s who have a New Year’s Eve reunion together on an island in the Scottish Highlands. There’s a brutal snowstorm on the island, and a few guests are found murdered.
This means that someone in their party is guilty, but the events are all too bizarre and they can’t figure out who it is. Meanwhile, it’s taking ages for help to arrive – you know the usual ‘cabin in the woods’ thriller mystery. However, Lucey Folley does thriller mysteries well and I wouldn’t write off her books – they are fun, and creative, and told from multiple perspectives. I’ve read several of her books, and would this one, or The Guest List which takes place in Ireland.
10. The Bookshop on the Corner
By: Jenny Colgan
Genre: Chicklit, romance,
Published in: 2016
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3)
The Bookshop on the Corner stars a relatable main character, Nina, who has to re-invent herself after she loses her job. She decides to move to the Scottish countryside and become a ‘book matchmaker’, selling books out of her van/
The bookshop on the corner” is not a physical store, but the bookshop she runs out of her van, but this didn’t take away from the book for me. There is a romance that begins, and Nina loses focus a little bit. The story is about the importance of books, and their relevance in our lives. I would describe it as a wholesome book, and an easy, feel-good read.
11. Stargazing: Memoirs of a Young Lighthouse Keeper
By: Peter Hill
Genre: Memoir, biography, travel
Published in: 2005
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5)
Stargazing: Memoirs of a Young Lighthouse Keeper is a memoir of the writer’s experience of working at lighthouses on islands off the west coast of Scotland in the early 1970s. Peter Hill was an exentric, hippie lighthouse keeper who was only 20 years old at the time he became a lighthouse keeper.
As he was quite young, the book is a coming of age story, with some comedy, and global issues of the time sprinkled in. Peter spent 6 months working on three different lighthouses, living with men that were complete strangers. He was politically active, marching against the war in Vietnam, and he’s also an artist!
He’s a deep thinker, and a big reason why this book is so relevant today is that his job was rapidly becoming automated at the time he entered it. Stargazing has won awards, and also made the list of BBC Radio’s top books.
12. The Summer of the Bear
By: Bella Pollen
Genre: Historical fiction, magical realism, mystery, contemporary
Published in: 2010
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3)
The Summer of the Bear takes place in the 1970s during the Cold War. After the death of a British diplomat, his wife and kids flee to a remote island in Scotland. The moms turns to alcohol and begins to neglect her three kids (two teens and a 9-year old) and eventually the kids begin to explore the northern Scottish island that they’re hiding away on.
They come across a bear that seems to have a mysterious link to their father. It’s a very interesting book, and has a little bit of everything – coming of age, dysfunctional families, alcoholism, historical fiction (taking place in the decades following WW2) and a sprinkle of magical realism.
13. The Strings of Murder
By: Oscar de Muriel
Genre: Historical fiction, mystery, crime, thriller
Published in: 2017
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.2)
The Strings of Murder takes place in the late 1800s in Edinburgh, when a violinist is found brutally murdered, in a locked room with strange symbols on the walls. The story follows two detectives as they try to solve the mystery.
The story has some creepy paranormal elements, is fast paced and has short-chapters. The two main characters are deeply flawed and purposely unlikeable characters, but that’s part of what makes the book interesting. It’s not my kind of book personally, as I don’t like dark books with very gory details, but it has elements of Sherlock Holmes or the Da Vinci code – so if you like those, then this Victorian Edinburgh murder mystery might be for you.
14. The Cottage by the Loch
By: Kennedy Kerr
Genre: Romance, fiction, mystery, contemporary
Published in:
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4)
The Cottage by the Loch is a book about grieving, self-discovery and romance. An American woman travels to Scotland to ‘get away’ after grieving the loss of her mom. Her Dad was Scottish but she knew nothing about him and is not particularly interested in learning about him.. until she finds a stack of envelopes hidden away that lead her down a path of mystery-solving.
It turns out there are secrets being kept, and she’s determined to get to the bottom of it. The novel involves a love triangle, descriptions of the Scottish island and small-town charm and hospitality of the people there. It’s a quick and enjoyable read, and a part of a series. (So, if you enjoy it, there are a couple more books to read.)
15. The Bookseller of Inverness
By: S.G. MacLean
Genre: Historical fiction, crime, mystery
Published in: 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3)
The Bookseller of Inverness takes place in the 1740s, following the deadly Battle of Culloden. A Jacobite named Iain MacGillivray, following the deadly battle, ends up leading a quiet life working as a bookshop keeper in Inverness. This would have been a really tough thing to do, as the army was actively searching for all the Jacobite soldiers. Iain does his best to keep his head down and stay safe, but it begins to seem that he’s being watched.
Eventually, there is also a brutal murder near the bookstop which leads Iain to becoming enthralled in the murder case and the bizarre events that follow. The book does a good job of blending accurate, well-researched historical facts with exciting, page-turning fiction.
16. The Last Witch of Scotland
By: Phillip Paris
Genre: Historical fiction, fantasy, feminism
Published in: 2023
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3)
The Last Witch of Scotland is based on the true story of Janet Horne, who was (believed to be) the last person executed for witchcraft in Scotland. Similar to The Outlander series, The Last Witch of Scotland takes place in the Scottish Highlands in the 1700s.
As of now, I cannot bring myself to read this, as I’ll find it too upsetting, knowing what the woman faced – but its a fairly new book that has been well-received, and deals with a sinister part of Scotland’s (and Europe’s) history. I may one day give into my curiosities and buy this book. You can read the true story about Janet and her daughter here, who were both accused of witchcraft.
Pro Tip: If you enjoy the theme of witch (or murder) accusations against women taking place in Scotland with a feminist message, then there are several other good titles (aside from the 2 mentioned on this list.) There’s The Burnings by Naomi Kelsey which takes place in Scotland in the 1500s, and the new release The Maiden by Kate Foster set in 1600s Edinburgh – both are well-rated
Other Books That Take Place in Scotland
These books didn’t quite make the list of ‘best’ books set in Scotland, because either only a part of them took place in Scotland, or Scotland isn’t really described
- Coffee First, Then The World – beats a Guinness Book of world records by biking around the entire world in 124 days. Only the beginning of the book takes place in Scotland, as ahe’s from Inverness, but still a worthwhile read. Oddly, its the only travel memoir I’ve read that takes place in Scotland at all
- The Woman Before Wallis – If you’re interested in the British Royals, then you may enjoy this re-telling of the woman who had an affair with the Prince of Wales before he decided to marry her friend. (True story, of King Edward and. just a small section at the beginning, takes place in Inverness, and after that its largely set in London, Paris as well as New York)
- The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks (published 1984) not for me at all, but if you like really dark stories and crime, then you may enjoy it
Resources for Finding More Books Set in Scotland
Secondhand bookstores are actually a very big thing in Scotland. You can find cute little shops that remind you of something you may find in Daigon Alley or Alice in Wonderland in the major cities, as well as several small towns. Here are some place to look for additional, countless books set in Scotland
- Leakey’s Bookshop in Inverness is known as one of the most beautiful bookshops in the UK
- The town of Wigtown is the bookstore capital of Scotland, and there are a number of second-hand bookshops there – one of the most notable is The Book Shop
- The Edinburgh Book Festival takes place every August and runs for about 2 weeks. There are book signings, author talks and children’s programs
- In Edinburgh, check out some of the cutest books shops: Golden Hare Books and The Armchair Bookstore
Books That Take Place in Scotland FAQ
Here are some of the commonly asked questions about literature taking place in Scotland
What series took place in Scotland?
The most famous series that took place in Scotland is The Outlander series. There are 9 books in total, and a 10th one that is planned. They take place largely in the Scottish Highlands, but the series involves time travel and world travel.
What is the famous book town in Scotland?
The famous ‘book town’ in Scotland is Wigaton, a very tiny town of a population of less than 1,000 people. It has a large number of second-hand bookstores and hosts the 10-day Wigtown Book Festival every autumn.
Final Thoughts on Books Set in Scotland
I hope you’re able to find some books that will engross you in tales of Scottish beauty, lifestyle and culture. Whether you want to reminisce about time spent in Scotland, learn more about the way of life, culture and history or get excited about an upcoming trip – I hope that you’ve found some great reads to add to your list. Books set in Scotland have a variety of genres, but quite a few of them are historical fiction and thrillers. They take place in the major cities, stunning coastal cities, and remote islands and of course – the highlands. Happy reading!