“Clanlands Almanac” was written by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish
(both of Outlander fame) with Charlotte Reather. The book documents a
year in Scotland, from holidays and famous births to wildlife and culture. The
book was published in 2021, with the paperback edition being published in 2022.
The book itself is so engaging. The banter between Heughan
and McTavish is hilarious and makes the reader feel like they are sitting
across a table from them, having a “wee dram.” The goal of any writer is to
have their own voice echo through the words, and Heughan and McTavish certainly
achieved this. Their personalities shined through each word.
“Clanlands Almanac” was also super informative. They broke
up each month into sections that were consistent throughout the month. They
covered a wide variety of topics in a fun and easy-to-digest way. This book is
perfect for those who may be new to Scottish history or culture, or those who
just want a fresh way of looking at what they already know. Fans of “Outlander”
will enjoy reading about the history behind some of the most beloved places in
the show and in the lives of the actors.
For “Outlander” fans or simply fans of these actors, they
told personal stories related to “Outlander” and their personal and
professional lives. It is like getting a “behind the scenes” look at “Outlander,”
“Men in Kilts,” and the vast history that went into the making of these shows.
The book is written in a way that is easy to understand, which can be difficult
with history. Heughan and McTavish make history personable, putting the events
that occurred in their own words and sprinkling in personal narratives to
relate to the places of the events.
This book also has an audiobook version that is narrated by
Heughan and McTavish. The banter in the book is hilarious, but to hear them
read it really brings it to life. Listening to the audiobook is like sitting at
a pub with them, listening to them talk back and forth about their lives and
the land they love so much. It is a captivating listen and is well worth it.
If one has to throw in constructive criticism, the only
thing that was troublesome was the amount of times they referenced “Clanlands”
(the companion book to “Clanlands Almanac) and “Men In Kilts” (Heughan and McTavish’s
Scottish adventure show). It almost assumed that readers have seen and read
these other pieces of media before reading this book. So, reader, if you have
not read “Clanlands” or watched “Men in Kilts,” you may want to choose one or
both to consume before reading “Clanlands Almanac.” However, it is not entirely
necessarily needed, as you can get a lot out of this book.
Overall, this book is perfect for anyone wanting to learn more about Scottish history and culture, especially if you are already a fan of “Outlander” and/or “Men in Kilts.” It is written in a way that even the most beginner student of Scottish culture will understand and the stories are priceless.
9/10 Clans
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