15 Must-Read Books That Take Place in Scotland (2024)
Looking for books that take place in Scotland? I have you covered.
I’m a big reader, a part of two book clubs and read about 70 books every year (not kidding.) Needless to say, I’m always paying attention to the new releases.
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.)
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.
These books can help you:
- learn more about the way of life, culture and history of Scotland
- get excited about an upcoming trip to Scotland
- reminisce about time spent in Scotland
So, let’s jump in – best books that take place in Scotland, and resources to find more!
Best Books That Take Place in Scotland
1. 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.
An archaeologist in modern times 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 ancestors.
It’s told in three different perspectives from different time periods (8th century, 1800s and modern day.
It started a bit slow, but once I gave it a chance, I couldn’t put it down. Scotland and the people are described with a lot of detail and it is beautifully written.
2. 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.
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.
She doesn’t have an official diagnosis, but her behaviours and routines isolate her from society (which she doesn’t mind – she’s “completely fine.”)
Until one day, meeting someone new motivates her to change – but the process of change causes her to have to do some inner work that dredges up old memories.
The book has painfully sad parts and funny parts. I laughed out loud a couple 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. Witch Light
By: Susan Fletcher
Genre: Historical fiction, fantasy
Published in: 2010
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7)
Witch Light takes place in the Scottish Highlands in the 1600s, and centres around a girl named Corag who’s accused of witchcraft, prisoned and awaiting execution.
At the beginning, she falls in love with the Scottish Highlands and with a leader of one of the clans. Sadly, Glenoe is subject to a horrible massacre in 1692 which you can read the true story about here.
Corag is questioned by an Irish man, Charles Leslie when she’s in jail – the story is told by his perspective and by Corag’s.
It’s a beautifully written book, with the relationship between Corag and Charles developing so beautifully, and the Scottish landscape so vividly depicted.
Witch Light is the highest-rated book of all of the books set in Scotland on this list, so if you enjoy historical fiction, and investigation books, it may be worth your time!
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 best books set in Scotland without mentioning Outlander books – I imagine you’ve heard of them (or even read them.)
If you haven’t read the Outlander books, here are a few things to know before getting started on the series:
- The books are long.
- The TV show closely follows the books, but the books have much more detail that could never fit into a TV show
I’ve read the Outlander books up until book # 7, and watch the TV show too. 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.
They’re beautifully written, and the characters feel real. I’ve also learned a lot about history that I never would have known (The Jacobite area, and the American Revolutionary War in later books.)
5. Once, There Were Wolves
By: Charlotte Mcconoughay
Genre: Fiction, mystery, contemporary, thriller
Published in: 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4)
Once, There Were Wolves is a darker story that 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.
The locals have differing opinions on the wolves being back – most are not in favour of it. The main character 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.
The main character doesn’t want her wolves to be blamed, but she also is hiding a secret. It’s a 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, the rest in Canada and Australia.
6. 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. It takes place in modern day.
There’s 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 book.
Even though it deals 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 them; they’re well written with multidimensional sides, much like real people.
7. 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. (If you like one book, you’ll probably like the other – and vice versa.)
The book is told in different time periods from the main character, Azzy’s, point of view. It covers a lot of social issues as well, 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.
8. 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 snowstorm, and unfortunately, some people 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
He was only 20 years old at the time, and was politically active – marching against the war in Vietnam, and other global issues of that time. He spent 6 months working on three different lightouses, living with men that were complete strangers.
It’s a coming of age and self-discovery story, and it also has some funny moments too. It’s won awards, and also made the list of BBC Radio’s top books.
11. 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 they 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.
12. 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 (deeply flawed people) 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 purposely unlikeable, but I think 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.
13. 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 apart of a series. (So, if you enjoy it, there are a couple more books to read.)
14. 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 – only to come upon a strange person watching them, and a brutal murder near the bookstop.
After that, Iain becomes 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.
15. 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 the 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.
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 (and Europe’s) history.
You can read the true story about Janet and her daughter here, who were both accused of witch craft.
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 that takes place in Scotland in the 1500s, and 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, (she’s from Inverness) but still a worthwhile read!
- 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
Second hand 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
- In Edinburgh, check out some of the cutest book shops Golden Hare Books and The Armchair Bookstore
- The Edinburgh Book Festival takes place every August and runs for about 2 weeks. There are book signings, author talks and children’s programs
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.
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!