2018 marks the 150th anniversary of one of Scotland's finest and most renowned artists, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. As you would expect, to celebrate one of our great cultural icons there is a programme of events for all things Mackintosh created by heritage partners from across Glasgow and beyond. We'll be doing our own bit to celebrate too! Charles Rennie Mackintosh was born in Townhead, Glasgow, on the 7th of June 1868. He was part of a large family of eleven children. After winning a Traveling Student scholarship, Mackintosh began work as an architect in Glasgow where his first major project was the Glasgow Herald Building - now known as the Lighthouse. Mackintosh spent most of his life in Glasgow and was heavily influenced by its industrial, modernist characteristics. He became an internationally respected architect following the success of projects including the Glasgow School of Art, the Queen's Cross Church in Maryhill and the Hill House in Helensburgh. He also worked in interior design, furniture production, textiles and metalwork. As his affection for architecture dwindled in later life, Mackintosh became a more prominent artist. He and his wife had been part of 'The Glasgow Four', a collaborative art group since their youth and both were prominent members of the Glasgow School movement. His later work was predominantly in watercolour, particularly after his move to France in 1923. As is so often the case for great artists, much of Mackintosh's recognition came posthumously. He is widely regarded now as a pioneer of modernism and has a well established and internationally recognised aesthetic. Today, Glasgow and its surrounding area are home to the world's largest and most important collection of Mackintosh buildings, artifacts, artwork and designs. In this celebratory year, a number of attractions and groups are partaking in the 'Mackintosh 150' events programme: Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum - host of a major exhibition The Lighthouse Glasgow Art Club V&A Dundee The Glasgow School of Art The Hill House House for an Art Lover Mackintosh Queen's Cross Church The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society Mackintosh Club Scotland Street School Museum The Hunterian Mackintosh at the Willow Throughout March we will be posting our selection of the best Mackintosh books on the market - keep an eye out for our Mackintosh Month posts on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram ! Find our full Mackintosh range here

We're very excited about our book of the month for March - as soon as we saw the preview information from Floris, we knew it was going to be a big one! Expect huge sales for this from its publication in March right through the tourist season. Our selection this month is... The Treasure of the Loch Ness Monster Treasure of the Loch Ness Monster This utterly stunning new paperback is from Lari Don, author of numerous best-selling children's books including the tremendously successful 'Secret of the Kelpie'. Amidst what can be a crowded Nessie market, this is a tale that draws on traditional myth and local folklore to create a more traditional story that is sure to appeal to children from Scotland and further afield. Here is the publisher's blurb: Ishbel and Kenneth need to save their family from going hungry, so when they remember the old local tale about treasure under Castle Urquhart, they set off across Loch Ness in a rowing boat. But the loch may be hiding its own secrets. There's another ancient story about a giant monster living in the depths... One of the outstanding features of 'Secret of the Kelpie' was its illustrations - the jacket perfectly captured the spirit of one of Scotland's newest landmarks and brought them to life. This latest book does the same for one of our oldest icons. Natasa Ilincic's Nessie is dragon-like, almost Tolkien-esq. Her illustrations of the Scottish Highlands have just the right amount of realism and atmosphere to evoke this magical place but leave enough to children's imaginations to create their own world. This is an addition to our range we highly recommend, wherever you are in Scotland. It's due to be published on March 22nd and we're taking pre-orders for it now. Find it on the site here

We're very excited about the forthcoming release of this new book! One of the biggest ever names in children's books - Harry Potter - turns 20 this year, and the first novel's staggering 80th translation will be into Scots. Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stane Given the tremendous popularity of the Harry Potter series with children and adults alike, this is a sure-fire hit for Christmas for readers new and old. Having read these when they first came out twenty years ago, I can't think of a better way to revisit this magical world than in a new dialect - and one that celebrates the country in which the story was born. Here's the blurb from the back for a flavour of what to expect - Turnin the envelope ower, his haun tremmlin, Harry saw a purpie wax zeal wi a coat o airms; a lion, an earn, a brock, and a snake surroondin a muckle letter 'H'.   Harry Potter doesnae ken the first thing aboot Hogwarts when the LETTERS stert drappin ontae the doormat at nummer fower, Privet Loan. The letters, scrievit in GREEN ink on a YELLA pairchment wi a PURPIE seal, are taen aff him by his AWFIE aunt and CRABBIT uncle. Then, on Harry's eleeventh  birthday, a muckle GIANT wi touse hair cawed RUBEUS HAGRID breenges in ate his life wi some ASTOONDIN news: HArry Potter is a warlock, and he has a place at HOGWARTS SCHUIL O CARLINECRAFT AND WARLOCKRY. Since 2002 Itchy Coo have been wowing young readers with translations of books from authors such as Roald Dahl, Julia Donaldson, David Walliams, Alexander McCall Smith, AA Milne, Asterix and others. This new venture into the world of warlockery is, we're sure, going to be just as well received.   Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stane will be published on 23rd November and is available for trade customers to order here . Jenny, Lomond Books  

The opening of the Queensferry Crossing in August this year was one of Scotland's biggest civic events. 50,000 people walked across our newest landmark and close to 4,000 guests were present to see HRH Queen Elizabeth II officially open the bridge. We're delighted to have the only book about this incredible new feat of engineering in stock, with exclusive distribution in Scotland. Lily Publication's The Queensferry Crossing: Vision to Reality is a quality, informative book packed with stunning colour photographs. It celebrates both the new bridge - the longest three-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world - and the 15,000 men and women who worked to complete the structure. New from Lily Publications - The Queensferry Crossing: Vision to Reality This is a must-have commemorative book that marks one of Scotland's largest and most innovative projects, and there is nothing else like it on the market. Spanning the bridge's new history from conception to completion, it details the technical challenges triumphs lying behind its construction. It includes forwards from First Minister Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP and key individuals in the project's management. The Queensferry Crossing: Vision to Reality  is available now to order here . Jenny, Lomond Books  

  "This is Edinburgh as I have seen it" Douglas Corrance We're pleased to add to our exclusive offering this sensational new art-quality book showcasing the magnificent city of Edinburgh, from renowned photographer Douglas Corrance. Edinburgh: A Personal View in Photographs Edinburgh: A Personal View in Photographs is Douglas's response to a life spent in one of the world's most fascinating cities; one which he would say is "made for photographers". Capturing the quintessential quirks of Edinburgh, its eccentricities and its many interesting characters, this book well serves a multi-faced city and will appeal to both the local citizen and the visitor, young and old. The beautiful colour and black-and-white images are accompanied by Douglas's lively and entertaining captions giving insight into how the photographer approaches his subject and how passionately he feels about the city he chose to make his home. The book has been laid out as if it is an imagined walk around the city, starting from the castle, traveling down the Royal Mile, through the Old Town and then the New Town, with journeys into the West End and the northern communities of the Firth of Forth. There is also a section dedicated to Edinburgh's international reputation as the Festival City. Photographer Douglas Corrance with his latest book Throughout the hundreds of remarkable images included in this landmark publication, Douglas has succeeded in catching the indefinable essence that makes the place so special and memorable. Anyone who has enjoyed a visit to the city will find this book a welcome reminder of Edinburgh's undeniable charm. Published by Forth Books, Edinburgh: A Personal View in Photographs is part of our exclusive distribution range at Lomond. You can find it on our website here . Jenny, Lomond Books

We've just taken delivery of a very exciting new children's title - Harry the Highlander: A Bad Hair Day. Harry the Highlander: A Bad Hair Day Jigsaw Book Harry is one of our best-selling children's characters (just who could resist that smiling face?!) and he's back, but he's having a bad hair day. He's about to take part in the Highland Show but his hair is just so much of a mess! Can the other farm animals convince Harry to change his hair to look more like theirs? Or will he just do his own thing in the end? This hardback gift book is perfect for Christmas - it includes five 12-piece jigsaw puzzles within the pages so that children can find out how Harry might look with his new hairstyles. At the end, they can choose their favourite! This is the latest addition to our GW Publishing range and it's available now. Click here to order . Jenny, Lomond Books Ltd  

It's that time of year again already -as we watch the rain drizzle down the office windows summer is well and truly on it's way out, and we're looking ahead to... Christmas! Christmas Catalogue We always kick off our Christmas range with a brand new catalogue (which is on it's way to our mail list customers now and available to download here ) and with an exhibition at Scotland's Trade Fair Autumn. This year the show is on Sunday 17th and Monday 18th September, as ever in Glasgow's SECC. You can register for your free buyer's entry badge on the STF website by clicking on this link: Registration Lomond featured on STF Show Edit On the site you can also see our exhibitor profile . We cannot recommend enough that you visit our stand at the show, not least because it's a fantastic opportunity to see our range for Christmas, but also because we offer extended credit on all orders placed at the show until the end of December 2017. This means that you can benefit from all of your pre-Christmas sales before having to pay for your stock - what a great early present for yourself! We hope to see you in Glasgow on stand J16 very soon! Lomond Books & Lyrical Scotland Books - Calendars - Maps - Postcards Greetings Cards - Magnets - Jigsaws - Toys Scotland's Trade Fair Autumn 17-18 September 2017 SECC Glasgow STAND J16 Jenny, Lomond Books Ltd

We're thrilled to have our Scottish publications on sale as part of one of the world's biggest and best known book celebrations, the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Our stand at the Edinburgh International Book Festival Every year book lovers descend on the capital to take part in two weeks of events, signings, readings, story-telling, recitals, discussions, debates and more in the big white tents of Charlotte Square. On sale in the book shop tents are thousands of books from Scottish authors and publishers - among them our titles under our Lomond, Lyrical Scotland and GWP imprints as well as those publishers we distribute exclusively for. We hope many of you have managed to visit the EIBF this year and enjoyed some of their fantastic events. It's all too easy to take having such a unique and varied celebration of books right on our doorstep for granted! Jenny, Lomond Books Ltd

EXPANDING SCOTTISH PUBLISHER LOMOND BOOKS ACQUIRES BACKLIST, RIGHTS AND STOCK IN THE SALE OF GW PUBLISHING Scottish publisher GW Publishing (Scotland) Ltd has been sold to West Lothian based publisher, wholesaler and distributor Lomond Books Ltd.   Hamish McHaggis Series - part of the GWP Range The sale of GW publishing, publisher of The Whisky Kitchen , Harry the Highlander , the Hamish McHaggis series and more, which was based in Dunblane, was concluded this week. The deal sees the publishing list, rights and stock transfer to Lomond who intend to continue publishing under the GW Publishing imprint. Graeme Wallace of GW Publishing said, “Following 16 years of publishing I have taken GW Publishing as far as possible and in order for it to flourish further, and after much consideration and discussion, I have agreed to sell GW Publishing and its publishing list on to a suitable business that I feel can best take it forward. For most of its time, GWP titles have been represented, sold and distributed by Lomond Books Ltd who I feel have the strongest presence in the Scottish marketplace. Lomond has over 30 years’ experience in the Scottish and UK book trade and has made great progress in increasing and enhancing the sales and distribution of GWP titles in the last few years.” Lomond’s Commercial Director Crawford Goodwin said, “Lomond shall ensure the continued success and supply of the GWP list to our customers. Following many years of selling GWP titles as a wholesaler, and in more recent years handling the sales and distribution for GW Publishing exclusively, it was a natural fit to our business to bring this list under our own publishing arm. With many titles such as Harry The Highlander, The Whisky Kitchen and the Hamish McHaggis series selling exceptionally well across the general book trade, heritage, tourism and gift markets, and with the potential to renew and refresh the publishing list, we welcome the opportunities this acquisition brings to our business.” For further information please contact us as sales@lomondbooks.com . Jenny McGaw, Lomond Books Ltd

Welcome to our new blog! Those of you who have visited our site before will notice that it has undergone something of a face lift. It's a little Christmas gift to ourselves, and we hope you like the new, modern feel. The site has been redesigned to provide more information on our products and services. We are still working on it and will be streamlining our categories to improve usability to help you to find titles and place orders more quickly. We also have this rather nice new blog, on which we'll keep you updated with new ranges, key titles, trade news, events and special offers. For trade customers who already have an online account, your log in details should not have changed. If you have any queries about how to use the new site, please don't hesitate to contact our Sales Office on 01506 855955 or at sales@lomondbooks.com. Happy browsing! Jenny McGaw, Lomond Books Ltd