This beautiful newly published book has been written by Ross Leckie, an early member of the PAS, an active member of FOGS (Friends of Grampian Stones), and a one-time politician. A sturdy, soft cover volume, the book is a portrait of the life and history of Grampian and its people, with excellent colour and black and white photographs by Jonathan Basan and others.

Chapter headings encompass a refreshing study of the North East of Scotland: Barrows, Cairns, Stones and Circles of the Moon; Battles and Bloodshed; Churches, Clerics and Catechism; Forts, Castles and Civilisation; The Age of Improvement; Fishing; Whisky; Parks, Gardens and Flora; A Cultured Land; Rest and Recreation. Of particular interest to Pictophiles is the coverage (plus a few photos) of the Pictish Stones of Grampian. Unfortunately, this subject is rendered incomplete for any studious Pictish antiquarian who knows the catechism of ancient stones. The section on the stones lists only nine major (ie. well-known) stones or groupings (eg Logie Elphinstone), while a further two are noted later in the text. Important stones such as the Deeside collection, Inverurie (Brandsbutt plus the OId Kirkyard stones), Elgin, Monymusk and the lesser Rhynie stones, not to mention the important Burghead bulls, are ignored. What is included is adequately covered, but the omissions are blatantly obvious and reduce the value of a well-produced tome. A "comprehensive guide" it is not. The book is written in a readable, spirited style, but I must conclude that it stikes me as being a fairly tourist-orientated exercise rather than a serious work.

Marianna Lines.