Looking at Edinburgh Castle it is easily appreciated that it embodies a thousand year’s worth of history. By investigation of soils and erosional features we can extend Edinburgh’s history back to the end of the ice-ages and the movements of glaciers across the region can also be discerned. However, before the ice-ages we are confronted with a vast time gap of around three hundred million years. For this interval we can only surmise what local conditions in and around Edinburgh were like.

* Fossils are not just objects of immense beauty which arouse curiosoty. They are the clues in the greatest detective story: the story of life.

* Most of us know of our own family history for a few generagtions: now discover our fossil history going back back four billion years!

* Helped by over 100 colour photos and illustrations, Sue Rigby links the fossil record to both the evolution of life and modern environments with which we are familiar, assesing a creatures life style against against it’s success or failiure in the survival stakes.

The book is extensively illustrated with maps, sketches, cross-sections and photographs and relates what can currently be seen in the worn-down remains of Scotland’s old volcanoes to active analogues around the world. Brian Upton is emeritus professor of petrology in the University of Edinburgh.

Whisky On The Rocks: ‘Origins Of The Water Of Life’. Malt whisky distilleries use local waters which have perculated through the ancient rocks of Scotland. This book describes the geology of Scotland and Northern Ireland in relation to the important whisky producing district, and offers new insights into factors that influence the taste of single malt whiskies. Fully illustrated through out by renowned artist Richard Bell.