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Civic Pride

Two new publications from Luath will focus on the principal cities of Scotland, Glasgow and Edinburgh, but not as we know them.

In This City Now (PBK £12.99), Ian Mitchell takes us on a fascinating walk through the working-class districts of Glasgow, such as Maryhill, Govan and Pollokshaws, retrieving many hidden architectural and cultural riches and recapturing the social history of the time, inspiring us to put on our walking shoes and discover a new Glasgow.

Sun Behind the Castle: Edinburgh Poems (PBK £8.99) is a collection of poetry by Angus Calder which focuses on an Edinburgh beyond the tourists, the real Edinburgh, concentrating on areas such as Tollcross which are too often overlooked. A homage to Tollcross is included, in the form of a modern version of the Odes by the ancient Roman poet Horace. The book is introduced by Andrew Marr, who writes: 'If only every city in this land had a poet like him [Calder], what a richer country it would seem.'

It is clear from these publications that there is a demand for locals to read about their city without the need for tourist schmaltz. Both books aim to encourage readers to look beyond the obvious and discover the underlying character of Scottish cities.