Hello there, bookworms and happy weekend! I can’t believe this is the first review I’m getting to in the new year. It’s been a hectic few weeks and if I’m being brutally honest, I haven’t been feeling quite like myself. I hope to get back to normal soon and begin working on the backlog of books I need to review. For now, I thought I’d kick off 2021 with the first book I read this year. Today, I’m talking about the much-anticipated Clanlands: Whisky, Warfare, and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other by Outlander stars Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish.

From their faithful camper van to boats, kayaks, bicycles, and motorbikes, join stars of Outlander Sam and Graham on a road trip with a difference, as two Scotsmen explore a land of raw beauty, poetry, feuding, music, history, and warfare.

Unlikely friends Sam and Graham begin their journey in the heart of Scotland at Glencoe and travel from there all the way to Inverness and Culloden battlefield, where along the way they experience adventure and a cast of highland characters. In this story of friendship, finding themselves, and whisky, they discover the complexity, rich history and culture of their native country.

To the readers of this blog (or my social media spaces) – it’s no surprise that my Outlander-obsessed heart was eagerly anticipating this book. When it came out, I resisted buying so that I could ask for it for Christmas. Thankfully, Santa delivered, and as soon as the holidays died down, I jumped right in.

This book was just what I needed. While we’re all still stuck in quarantine, I know many of us have been longing for adventure – any sort of outing to experience new things that somehow resemble some level of normalcy. Since it’s hard to do much of anything travel wise without many restrictions, Clanlands is the next best thing.

I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between Heughan and McTavish. Through all the thinly veiled insults, it’s clear that these two have a genuine, tight connection and love spending time together having fun and exploring. The two take us on a trip in their vintage camper van through the Scottish Highlands and along the way, they not only tell the history of the land and its people, but also recount personal memories and experiences they’ve had growing up and working in such an enriching country.

I divvied up how I read this one. On nights when I had zero discipline and couldn’t get off my phone – I read on my kindle app, and other nights I enjoyed the hardcover I got over the holidays. Days when I was working, I put on the Audible version and lost myself in their jokes and tales. All three experiences were equally enjoyable and I found myself not being able to put the book down. It also made me long to return to Scotland myself.

Back in the fall of 2016, I was fortunate enough to travel to the enchanting land of history, Outlander, and stories, and I was reluctant to return stateside. I was so in love with the place. I haven’t been back yet thanks to my schedule and now, a global pandemic that feels never-ending, but Heughan and McTavish made me fall in love with the rich culture all over again and now it’s a top priority to return. I was lucky enough to journey to a few of the locations mentioned in their books, so I felt like I was transported right back to my wonderful trip, but other locations like the historic and tragic Culloden I have yet to experience. You can read more about my magic trip here, but I’ll include some of my favorite shots below.

Sam and Graham have a chemistry that not only makes for great reading (and when watching Outlander, fantastic character development and drama), but also for great tv. Thankfully, these two are bringing Clanlands to life next month on Starz with their miniseries Men In Kilts. If you’ve already enjoyed their endless adventures while reading their book, you’ll get more soon when it comes to life on screen.

I’m so glad I got to lose myself in this book. It wasn’t only a love letter to a wonderful land, but I felt like I got to know these two men more as people and less as actors or the characters they portray on television. As a massive history nerd (again, something you know as a reader of this blog), I thoroughly appreciated their enthusiasm for the people, their ancestors, and how their country came to be and evolved to what it is now.

I know there’s more material there for a second series (and therefore more of their charm and charisma). Until then, I can’t suggest that you pick this book up enough. Grab a copy now and take a trip to Scotland. Then, make sure to mark your calendars for Valentine’s Day 2021 so you can tune into Men In Kilts on Starz and the Starz app!

Surely they won’t check out this post, but still, I thank Sam and Graham for being my guides and taking me someplace else for awhile. I loved spending time with them and being a witness to all the stories they had to tell. I learned new things about Scotland, relived memories of my own trip, and almost felt like I made new friends on my journey (even if I felt like I needed to play referee to their insults a time or two-they certainly know how to keep the readers on their toes).

If you love history, travel, or even Outlander, check out this book ASAP, and check out the trailer for Men In Kilts below – it debuts in just a few weeks!

Until next time, bookworms, stay safe and healthy. Happy reading ! xx