Graham McTavish

I'd seen the show, and then meant to read this one but accidentally picked up their almanac version instead. There was quite a bit of the show just rehashed in that, so I worried that this first book might have even more! But I gave it a shot anyway, and there wasn't as much overlap as I'd feared. These two are characters and comedians (and do a nice job performing on the audiobook). They have kind of an 'old dog, young pup' quality to their duo that I think they're probably laying on a bit thicker than necessary, but they're perfectly allowed to embrace a schtick. I think they genuinely had fun with it. I'd say it's a good book for someone wanting to learn more about Scotland and its history, or for someone familiar with most of that already who just wants to chuckle and witness others exploring it. I knew quite a bit of the history/culture already, but did learn some new things that interested me.… (mehr)

3.5 stars

This was fun. Not the utter delight I expected it to be, but I enjoyed it well enough. Fans of the TV series Outlander and Men in Kilts (watched by fans of Outlander) will get more out of this than anyone else. Hearing Sam Heughan (aka Jamie Fraser—swoon) and Graham McTavish read and banter their way through the book they wrote about filming Men in Kilts was good for some laughs, and I learned a bit about Scottish history and got some behind the scenes Outlander stuff too. Graham’s growled asides were entertaining—I loved The Grievances of Graham—and I really liked listening to his voice. Sam (aka Jamie Fraser—swoon) was lovely to listen to as well.
The man banter felt a little forced sometimes, as did the man hijinks, and that kept me from being completely enthralled. It was interesting to listen to a book written during the pandemic that was probably only written because of the pandemic, and to hear the actor’s thoughts on how it affected them. They both seem like good eggs, and I approve of them. A good road trip book, if you’re not traveling with small children (some swears and violence).… (mehr)

I’m not the diehard Outlander fan that this book is marketed to, but I am a diehard fan of Scottish men going on road trips with their best friends and writing about it/filming it (Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman and the Long Way series) and I’ve desperately missed reading fun travel stories and antics like Anthony Bourdain’s. If you care nothing for Outlander but love Scotland, you will enjoy this book. If you are watching/reading Outlander, be sure to get caught up with the show first as there are spoilers. And if you love Outlander already, then yes, you will enjoy this book.

I fall into the camp of people who have watched a few episodes of the show and I didn’t particularly care if any plot points were spoiled for me before I watch them because I’m not overly invested as a fan, I’m here for SCOTLAND. Give me more Scotland, tell me when I can go back, please oh please Covid go away so I can spend a month driving around the west coast of my favorite country.

Ewan McGregor sees Scotland in every place he visits, and I say everywhere looks like Pennsylvania, which also looks like Scotland. It just feels familiar, like a place I’ve always loved and known. The Cairngorms of the Highlands look like the Appalachians of my home state. My husband and I took a road trip from Edinburgh to Orkney and back and we were absolutely mesmerized. We stopped at many places the Top Gear/Grand Tour trio did on their Scottish road trip and I’ve added every visit of Graham and Sam’s to our itinerary for the next visit already.

But back to Sam and Graham. I’m publishing this review today because the series they filmed to accompany the book, Men in Kilts, airs today on Starz (which I do not have but now want to get). The intergenerational pairing of the men with rhyming names is dynamic and fun – their friendship jumps off the page and the oral history style to the book makes you feel like you’re trapped in the camper van sitting between the two of them and watching them bicker over Sam’s driving skills (or lack thereof).

Their adventure starts, as every good Scottish road trip should, with a whisky tasting (though as the boys are being responsible, one should not then drive immediately after imbibing). Sam’s (occasionally reckless) pursuit of adventure is balanced by Graham’s cautious (and as he contends age-appropriate) refusal to potentially put himself in harms way. Occasionally, we get the full treat of Graham putting his latte down and hoping on the tandem bike or in the WWII era motorcycle sidecar and he enjoys himself (mostly) to Sam’s great delight.

Clanlands is a fun buddy adventure, but also an informative trip through Scottish history, particular of the Jacobite uprising/rebellion depicted in Outlander. The rhyming men visit the battlefields from the show as well as some of the castles and I learned a great deal about a time I know a great deal about, but through an American lens. While the Brits were dealing with us ungrateful colonists throwing tea in the harbor and rebelling, the Scottish had been in a constant state of rebellion since the Stuarts were exiled to France (Bonnie Prince Charlie) and the Hanovers from Germany crossed the Channel and took over (the Georges I-III).

The Jacobites, supporters of James (father and grandfather of Charlie, both James), saw the Stuarts as the rightful monarchs of Scotland (which they were – the King of Scotland took over the monarchy of England when Elizabeth I died and he was a Stuart). Bloody battles were fought and the English won out, a frustration for the proud Scots. Sam and Graham focus on the roles of the Clans in the battles, as well as their fights amongst each other and how some chose to support the English during this period.

Graham, the historian of the pair, offers the most historical political insight and the political science student and historian in me was captivated. But Clanlands isn’t just a history book. There’s adventure, whisky, shenanigans, more whisky, re-enactments of Outlander battle moves, and much more. It’s a great adventure and friendship story and a worthwile read for anyone who loves a good road trip story.… (mehr)