Lochs and Legends

English language

Published 2024 by HarperCollins Publishers Limited.

ISBN:: 978-0-00-865318-7

(1 review)

A Scotsman’s guide to the extraordinary tapestry of the land, history, folklore and stories of his homeland.

From the majestic beauty of the wild Scottish landscape to the hidden traces of its history waiting to be uncovered in every town and village, Andy McAllindon is enthralled by the country he is lucky enough to call home. Scotland’s busiest tour guide in real life and online, Andy travels around the country to ancient sites such as castles, cemeteries, burial chambers and prisons, celebrating the history, folklore, superstitions and the fascinating people that make Scotland the most beautiful country in the world.

Lochs and Legends is Andy’s love letter to Scotland, a love that began when he landed a part on the worldwide phenomenon Outlander, and led to him dedicating his life to learning more about the true star of the show – Scotland. A social media sensation as Andy the Highlander, …

A Scotsman’s guide to the extraordinary tapestry of the land, history, folklore and stories of his homeland.

From the majestic beauty of the wild Scottish landscape to the hidden traces of its history waiting to be uncovered in every town and village, Andy McAllindon is enthralled by the country he is lucky enough to call home. Scotland’s busiest tour guide in real life and online, Andy travels around the country to ancient sites such as castles, cemeteries, burial chambers and prisons, celebrating the history, folklore, superstitions and the fascinating people that make Scotland the most beautiful country in the world.

Lochs and Legends is Andy’s love letter to Scotland, a love that began when he landed a part on the worldwide phenomenon Outlander, and led to him dedicating his life to learning more about the true star of the show – Scotland. A social media sensation as Andy the Highlander, his first book opens up Scotland’s secrets to anyone, even if they can only explore her from the comfort of their armchair. It invites you to time travel with Andy, walking in the footsteps of kings and queens, dukes and duchesses, murderers, farmers, poets, invading armies, and everyday folks like himself. It is Scotland as you’ve never seen it before.

3 editions

WhiskeyintheJar reviewed Lochs and Legends by Andy the Andy the Highlander

Travel guide and love letter

5 stars

I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review

You'll find her in the Highlands, among the heather and the stone, You'll find her in the Highlands, where her heart has found it's home.

A love letter, history and geography lesson, and tale telling, Lochs and Legends was a fun trip through parts of Scotland travel guide.

Our travel guide, Andy the Highlander (may recognize him as a supporting actor from the Outlander tv show), obviously loves his homeland and it comes through each tale and description of the land. Starting off in Fife, we get tales of a haunted palace, witch trials, and a 500 year old Inn that travelers could visit. The guide then journeys through Edinburgh, Perthshire, Gateway to Highlands, Stirlingshire (The Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel may be known to many), Cairngorn, Inverness, Outer Hebrides, …

I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review

You'll find her in the Highlands, among the heather and the stone, You'll find her in the Highlands, where her heart has found it's home.

A love letter, history and geography lesson, and tale telling, Lochs and Legends was a fun trip through parts of Scotland travel guide.

Our travel guide, Andy the Highlander (may recognize him as a supporting actor from the Outlander tv show), obviously loves his homeland and it comes through each tale and description of the land. Starting off in Fife, we get tales of a haunted palace, witch trials, and a 500 year old Inn that travelers could visit. The guide then journeys through Edinburgh, Perthshire, Gateway to Highlands, Stirlingshire (The Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel may be known to many), Cairngorn, Inverness, Outer Hebrides, Isle of Skye, Western Highlands, Argyll, Clydeside, and Glasgow, among others.

Each stop highlights Scottish heritage sights tourists might want to see, on the well trodden path and off-beaten. From nature walks, sharks, castles, book shops, and pubs, there's plenty here to entice you to make the trip. Andy's knowledge and gift for gab, with help written from Lily Hurd, made this an entertaining read, whether it was relaying of historical events, people, and places, or more whimsical with fairy and ghost folklore and stories. As an American, the sheer amount of historical places fascinated. The ending also gave us a Scottish Culture section where recipes and music could be found and a Resources section to give starting places if planning a trip. Definitely recommend if wanting to learn about Scotland, for going on a trip or just personal enjoyment.

Let me tell you that I love you and I think about you all the time Caledonia you're calling me and now I'm going home. If I should become a stranger you know that it would make me more than sad Caledonia's been everything I've ever had.