Wigtown is in a fairly remote and rural area of Scotland, and that’s the reason why we hadn’t got around to visiting it, despite both Jack and myself being keen readers. Anyway, Peggy arranged for us all to have a few days down in that general direction at Auldgirth.
We didn’t have high hopes of Wigtown after our severe disappointment at Hay-on-Wye where neither of us managed to find anything we wanted to buy, obviously like-minded bookish people had got there before we did.
Jack made one bookseller’s day when he bought a book in his shop, and told him of his Hay-on-Wye experience. But Jack only managed to buy one book, I came back with thirteen books! although I did buy a few of those elsewhere.
Unexpected Adventure by M.E. Atkinson
Midwinter by John Buchan
The Avenue Goes To War by R.F. Delderfield
The Ringed Castle by Dorothy Dunnett
Man Missing by M.G. Eberhart
Cool Repentance by Antonia Fraser
The Cavalier Case by Antonia Fraser
The Photograph by Penelope Lively
Pied Piper by Nevil Shute
Kate Hardy by D.E. Stevenson
The Mark of the Horse Lord by Rosemary Sutcliff
The Listening Eye by Patricia Wentworth
Out of the Past by Patricia Wentworth
A good haul I think with some really nice covers. Have you read any of them?
There aren’t as many bookshops in Wigtown as I thought there would be, but I can’t complain and feel I was very lucky to pick up the books I did. I can imagine though that some people might go all the way there and be a bit disappointed by the place as there isn’t much in the town at all shop wise. If you enjoy mooching around old graveyards though then make sure you visit the one by the church, it’s very interesting.
You an see images of the town here.
“Pied Piper” by Nevil Shute is one of my favourites of his. I hope you’ll enjoy it.
Valerie,
I’ll be reading it soon and going by the previous books of his I’ve read – I’m optimistic.
Pied Piper is one of my favorite Nevil Shute’s books as well. And I think The Photograph is one of the best of Penelope Lively’s. I’m always happy to see Dorothy Dunnett on a reading list, especially the Lymond books.
Lisa,
I love the cover of the Dunnett book and managed to buy another of the Lymond books yesterday so I only have a few to get now. I’ve been enjoying Lively’s books recently so have high hopes of The Photograph.
I always love a D. E. Stevenson find, and I think I’ve read them all, but I don’t remember the story of Kate Hardy. I guess I will have to reread it sometime….sounds like you’re having a wonderful trip!
Paula
Paula,
Our Borders trip was good but we’re in the Highlands now – it’s spectacular!
I haven’t read that D. E. Stevenson, they have become quite hard to find lately. I recently read The Avenue Goes to War and The Ringed Castle. I looks like you found some great books. I hope you enjoy them.
Jennifer,
I’m finding D.E. Stevenson books really difficult to find and when I do see them they are often expensive. I think I’m going to have to find the book that comes before The Avenue Goes to War, I didn’t realise it was the second in a series of two.
All names known to me apart from M.G. Eberhart, though I don’t think I’ve read any of those titles. A very nice haul. (And a place to add to my list of stops when we one day get to tour Scotland!)
Sandra,
I was particularly pleased with that Mignon Eberhart book as it was much cheaper than her books usually are. Let us know when you are coming up to Scotland and we can meet up in Edinburgh – or somewhere!
Katrina that would be great. Though heaven knows when we’ll actually get around to making the trip. One day!
Sandra,
I know exactly what you mean, although this year has been a good one for doing things we’ve been putting off for ages. It’s good – this retirement lark!
I found Hay-on-Wye a bit overwhelming, so maybe a book town with fewer stores would be preferable. I did buy a few things, but I also thought their books were a bit pricier than other places. I suppose it’s like those outlet malls where you never really get any bargains.
Joan,
I think they reckon that if you have taken the trouble to make your way to a book town then you will be happy to pay above the usual price – but I’m not! I saw a Penguin crime book there costing £700 – I wish I could remember what it was.
Did you wander around The Bookshop? Did you see Captain the Cat and his owner?
Louise Penny’s new book came out yesterday and it’s in my hands as we speak!
Lorraine,
Ooh, I’m jealous, I must get my hands on a copy soon.
We did go into The Book Shop but sadly Shaun wasn’t around, I was served by a young girl. I bought a few books and took a few photos, I’ll put them on the blog soon.
Actually now you mention it I think we were welcomed by a cat but it disappeared quickly.
I’ve been wondering about a trip to Wigtown – I was disappointed with Hay too. I’ve read two of the books you bought – the Delderfield and Lively ones. I loved both.
Margaret,
I enjoyed having a look around the town and going into the bookshops but there aren’t that many and some are in cafes and you can’t really get a look at them as there are people sitting at tables right by the books. I don’t think I would ever go back there as it’s so remote and a long journey for us, but it’s worth going once just for the experience. I’m so glad you enjoyed those two books.