Whittles Publishing

04/08/2026

🌍 The Wonder of Africa's Natural History by Clive Spinage opens up a wonderland of natural history for all to enjoy, and will spark interest in the intricate web of Africa’s natural history, one that is bursting with exuberance, a great variety of life. It covers a vast range of topics that are often neglected, and reveals untold mysteries hidden in this remarkable continent. It is written in a readable and clear style and full of images that allows the reader to gain an appreciation of its continent-wide approach, which is based upon half a century or more of knowledge.

Available at https://portopress.com/products/9781849955348_the-wonder-of-africas-natural-history

03/08/2026

The corncrake is a much beloved bird found across Europe, Asia and Africa, but due to agricultural intensification, its northern European population has declined rapidly since the 1950s, and is now very rare in Scotland except from its island hideouts in the Hebrides and Northern Isles.

For most of the last hundred years, its detailed ecology has remained mysterious and little understood. Although there have been millions of words written about the Corncrake in scientific papers, until this book there had been no full-length work that attempted to capture all the aspects of its ecology, and to present this information to non-specialists. As a result, until very recently, many important facts about its lifestyle and behaviour had not been widely known, even among ornithologists.

Frank Rennie is Professor of Sustainable Rural Development at the University of the Highlands and Islands, based in the Outer Hebrides. He was the winner of the 2020 Highland Book Prize.

The Corncrake: An ecology of an enigma by Frank Rennie is available to buy here: https://portopress.com/products/9781849955027_the-corncrake

31/07/2026

🌊The British Lighthouse Trail by Sarah Kerr is a beautifully illustrated guide to the historic lighthouses of Britain and the rich maritime heritage they represent. Covering more than 600 lighthouses across Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, this comprehensive book combines fascinating history, striking photography, and practical travel advice for coastal explorers and heritage enthusiasts alike.

Muckle Flugga lighthouse is the most northern lighthouse in Shetland, Scotland and Britain and sits off the coast of Unst.

Get your copy and start your own trail at https://portopress.com/products/9781849954402_the-british-lighthouse-trail

28/07/2026

A Naturalist's View of the Loch Ness Enigma by Adrian Shine, researcher of Loch Ness and Nessie for more than 50 years, finally presents the expert's conclusion of the one of Scotland's greatest cultural phenomena.

Available for pre-order at https://portopress.com/products/9781849957267_a-naturalists-view-of-the-loch-ness-enigma

10/07/2026

💪A fantastic book launch for Homes By Assocation in Kelso!
Available now on our website https://portopress.com/products/9781849956154_homes-by-association
📚Homes By Association by Mary Taylor is an engaging history of Scotland's housing associations over the past 50 years. It explores how community-led, not-for-profit housing organisations reshaped Scottish social housing, combining social purpose with professional development and growth. Featuring real-world case studies and sector insights, this book is ideal for readers interested in affordable housing in Scotland, public policy, community development and the evolution of social and people-focused housing provision.

08/07/2026

📣 Leith's steam yacht industry got a spotlight in The Scotsman on Monday, highlighting the many famous - and infamous - wealthy customers for such luxurious vessels, from Pulitzer to Marconi to Burton & Taylor. Their full stories are all found in Port of Leith historian R.O. Neish's latest book: Leith-Built Ships volume 5 - Steam Yachts 1875-1928.
Check out the book here: https://portopress.com/products/9781849956123_steam-yachts-1875-1928
Read the article here: https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/the-luxurious-leith-built-steam-yachts-owned-by-stars-like-elizabeth-taylor-highlighted-in-new-book-8772280

Leith Built Ships Volume 5: Steam Yachts 1875–1928 by R.O. Neish is a richly detailed maritime history book exploring the golden age of steam yacht construction on the River Leith. Focusing on one of Scotland’s most remarkable yet lesser-known shipbuilding traditions, this volume documents the e...

03/07/2026

🚂Do you know which station this is? Take your guess in the comments.
📖Walking Edinburgh's Lost Railways is available for pre-order now! https://portopress.com/products/9781849956024_walking-edinburghs-lost-railways
Hidden within Edinburgh’s modern landscape lies the ghost of a railway network that once fuelled the growth of Scotland’s capital. Robin Howie and John McGregor uncover this forgotten world, guiding readers along the routes of former railway lines that have been transformed into some of the city’s most attractive walking and cycling trails.

29/06/2026

✍️ Thanks Alan Stewart - Wildlife Detective for writing such a splendid review of A Galloway Year on your Wildlife Detective blog!
Head to his blog (wildlifedetective.wordpress.com) to read the full review and head to our website (portopress.com) to get the book yourself.

26/06/2026

🚂Hidden within Edinburgh’s modern landscape lies the ghost of a railway network that once fuelled the growth of Scotland’s capital. In Walking Edinburgh’s Lost Railways, Robin Howie and John McGregor uncover this forgotten world, guiding readers along the routes of former railway lines that have been transformed into some of the city’s most attractive walking and cycling trails. Pre-order your copy now: https://portopress.com/products/9781849956024_walking-edinburghs-lost-railways

22/06/2026

What better place to host an event on Leith-Built Ships than at the Port of Leith distillery! R.O. Neish's latest book in the series - Steam Yachts 1875-1928 - came out earlier this month. Join him on the distillery's fifth floor next Monday at 18:30 to hear all about it.