In Search of Ancient Scotland, A Guide for The Independent Traveler [Paperback]

Gerald M. Ruzicki (Author), Dorothy A. Ruzicki (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2000

Walk the moors with Scotland's prehistoric people, climb its crumbling castle walls, stand on its battlefields alongside its great heroes, feel the presence of its ghosts held tight in images spun by ancient Celts.

This book transports armchair travelers or active explorers of all ages back in time to a Scotland most visitors never see. In this friendly, lively book, the authors guide readers to more than 200 ancient monuments to uncover unsual features, legends and history.

A descriptive timeline differentiates various eras from the Stone Age to the Renaissance. An index of sites facilitates finding them quickly. A glossary defines common historical, archaeological and Scottish terminology, and references suggest further reading. Sixteen color pages and numerous B&W photos supplement the text.

Written by North Americans from their own experiences, In Search of Ancient Scotland addresses independent travelers' questions and fears--driving on the left, roundabouts and one-lane roads, trespass and courtesy, language differences and money matters. Using a star system, they recommend their favorite places and provide clear directions.

Accompany these authors on their personal quest for Scotland's antiquity as they reveal their tips for planning and share their insights and adventures.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In Search of Ancient Scotland" is that best kind of guidebook, one that will lead its readers into fascinating explorations of sites they might never find on their own. It is full of common-sense evaluations, advice, and remarkably precise directions about where to find Scotland's ancient monuments, especially its prehistoric stones, brochs and castles. Written with clarity and intelligence, this would be an essential book to tuck into one's suitcase on a voyage of discovery around almost any part of Scotland. -- Susan Allen Toth, author of "My Love Affair With England: A

Some of the most interesting tourist destinations in Scotland are the remnants of ancient places. As a visitor to Scotland, you want to have clear directions to the sites, and a ready source of background information to make the visit relevant to you. You want to know the legends, the history, the little details that make those places speak to you. Buy this book. Its clear language, color photographs, and historical timeline are all very helpful. A nice touch is the American point-of-view . . . -- U.S. SCOTS, February, 2000

About the Author

Gerald Ruzicki teaches computer science at the college level and holds a degree in anthropology with an emphasis and experience in archaeology. Dorothy Ruzicki, a registered nurse with a PhD, manages a large hospital education department. She has authored numerous publications and specializes in helping medical professionals write in understandable language. In this book, they combine their talents to make Scotland's history and archaeology come alive.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Aspen Grove Pub (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966449606
• ISBN-13: 978-0966449600
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #405,052 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great alternative guide...., November 27, 2002

By 

Dianne Foster "Di" (USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: In Search of Ancient Scotland, A Guide for The Independent Traveler (Paperback)

If you're off to Scotland in search of ancestral roots or the remains of them and want to travel the roads less taken, IN SEARCH OF ANCIENT SCOTLAND may prove useful. Gerald and Dorothy Ruzicki have collected material about Scotland from web sites and references guides (listed in an appendix section), and their own travel experiences, and created a somewhat unique guide.

The guide is organized into eight regions in Scotland and every site within each region is rated with 0-3 stars. The focus of the guide is historical places 5000 BC to 1700 AD, so Culloden Moor, for example, is not included in the `Index of Sites'. Included selections are organized along a time line in an appendix so that if, for example, you only wanted to visit only Medieval places you could do so. Appreciative of the popularity of "Braveheart" the Ruzickis include a good deal of information about Stirling and Bannockburn and other locations associated with William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Apparently, Stirling has much to recommend it beyond the `Braveheart' connections, not the least of which is an easy drive from Glasgow or Perth.

What may be of great interest to the traveler with an "antiquarian" bent and plenty of time to drive to more remote areas, are ancient sites such as the `Standing Stones of Callanish' (Calanais) that rival Stonehenge; `Dun Trodden' and `Dun Telve' in the Northwest Highlands; and `Mousa Broch' that can only be reached by ferry across a temperamental sea. Later period sites closer to the central cities such as Jedburgh Abbey founded in 1138 by David I; Traquair built in 1107 AD and continuously inhabited since; or the ruins of Castle Tioram where Robert the Bruce once lived are also identified.

There are many interesting and useful books on Scotland, but if you're brave enough to travel independently and hankering to find ancient sites not always included in mainstream publications, check out this book. In addition to the "where to go" and "what to see", the Ruzicki's include much practical information about traveling independently, including a chapter on driving in Scotland.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging and authoritatively informative., March 4, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Search of Ancient Scotland, A Guide for The Independent Traveler (Paperback)

In Search Of Ancient Scotland guides the independent traveler through Scotland's countryside to more than 200 ancient sites ranging from the Stone Age to the Renaissance. Jerry and Dodie Ruzicki have traveled extensively in Scotland seeking out ancient monuments that would best represent the diversity and volume of Scotland's prehistoric and antiquarian treasures. In Search Of Ancient Scotland these two intrepid travelers share Scotland's past in a lively, engaging, friendly narrative enhanced with numerous b/w and color photos conveying the majesty of the monuments and the magic of the landscape. Also addressed for the reader is a compendium of practical information such as driving on the left, managing roundabouts and one-lane roads, rights of trespass and courtesy, language and money differences, and more. A descriptive timeline helps the reader to distinguish various eras; an index of sites facilitates finding them quickly; a glossary defines common historical, archaeological and Scottish terms; and references are suggested for further reading and study. Whether armchair traveler or on-site vacationer, In Search Of Ancient Scotland will prove as engaging as it is authoritatively informative.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for your trip!, April 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: In Search of Ancient Scotland, A Guide for The Independent Traveler (Paperback)

I was so glad to have this useful book during my trip to Scotland! It has excellent descriptions, explanations, history, and stories for ancient monuments, most of which aren't covered in normal guide books. Without this book, I would have missed so many interesting places - never knowing there was a cairn right next to the road or megaliths in the next farmer's field! Plus, there are planning maps and excellent driving instructions, which you'll NEED for some hard-to-find sites!