From coast to coast on a motorbike...on the trail of the people, places and events that created Scottish history. Covering moor, mountain and battleground as well as film locations and place names, this book provides an intelligent, passionate perspective on key landmarks and their significance to Scotland today. From the Vikings to the Picts, from Ossian to Bannockburn, Ross guides us on a quest to discover the essentials of Scottish history - and to find things we never knew existed.

Part of a series of guides on key figures and themes, this book follows the life of Charles Edward Stuart, the young pretender. The author sets out on his motorbike on the trail of Bonnie Prince Charlie from England to Scotland and the Isle of Skye, the locations shown with maps and drawings.

In a mix of historical fact and folklore, 'biker-historian' David R. Ross journeys across Scotland to tell the stories of some of Scotland's finest women. From the legend of Scota over 3,000 years ago to the Bruce women, Black Agnes and the real Lady Macbeth, through Kay Matheson - who helped liberate the Stone of Destiny from Westminster Abbey - and Wendy Wood in the 20th century, these proud and passionate women shaped the Scotland of today. Leading his readers to the sites where the past meets the present, this is a captivating insight into some remarkable tales of the Scottish people that have previously been neglected, a celebration of and tribute to the Women of Scotland. Often in my daily life I find that it is the women of Scotland that have the true patriot sould their menfolk sometimes lack. Scotland means something to so many of them, and Caledonia burns deep within their collective memory. I hope that both Scots men and women are inspired or moved by some of the stories told here. Women of Scotland, it is you who will bear and nurture our future generations. Instil in them a pride in their blood that will inspire the generations yet to come, so that our land will regain its place, and remain strong and free, defiant and proud, for the Scots yet unborn. - DAVID R. ROSS

Sir James the Good, one of the finest soldiers Scotland ever produced, is sometimes better known by the name given to him by the English - the 'Black Douglas'. He terrified the northern shires of England throughout the reign of King Robert the Bruce and the Wars of Independence. When Robert the Bruce died Sir James, as his champion, was entrusted with his heart which he carried on the Crusades. David R Ross brings history alive as he tells the story of Sir James' life. Ross' research found him retracing Sir James' journey to the Holy Land and rediscovering battle grounds, providing a personal view of history. With a refreshing look at the subject, and featuring all new information and research, interesting maps, battleplans and photographs, this book will make Scottish history accessible and understandable for the casual reader, while delighting history buffs.

This text is an illustrated story of Scotland's hero-king and freedom-fighter. The text follows the life of Robert the Bruce from boyhood onwards, with a blow-by-blow account of how he led the Scots to their victory at Bannockburn, against all the odds.

On the Trail of William Wallace offers a refreshing insight into the life and heritage of the great Scots hero whose proud story is at the very heart of what it means to be Scottish, and whose effect on the ordinary Scot through the ages is manifest in the many sites where his memory is marked. In trying to piece together the jigsaw of the reality of Wallace’s life, David R. Ross weaves a subtle flow of new information with his own observations. His engaging, thoughtful and at times amusing narrative reads with the ease of a historical novel, complete with all the intrigue, treachery and romance required to hold the attention of the casual reader and still entice the more knowledgeable historian. An encyclopaedia-cum-guidebook, this is stuffed with fascinating titbits not usually on offer in the conventional history book.