Carmina Gadelica Bookshop, Isle of Skye

Carmina Gadelica Bookshop, Isle of Skye Carmina Gadelica is an independent bookshop, located on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Carmina Gadelica is a specialist bookshop.

https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/CarminaGadelica

https://twitter.com/IsleofSkyeBooks

https://www.instagram.com/isleofskyebooks/

The name means ‘song of the Gael’. There are books here in Gaelic, including poetry, novels, and learners texts, but most of the stock is in English. You will also find a selection of CDs of local and traditional music. As well as books and music, this is where to get artists’ materials when the mood takes you to capture and interpret some Skye scenery for yourself! The bookshop is near the top of the hill up from the pier in Portree. Armadale House, Bank Street, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9DA. Telephone: 01478 612585
Email: [email protected]

It’s finally here!The highly anticipated ‘Gruffalo Granny’, the first book in the award-winning series by Julia Donaldso...
12/09/2026

It’s finally here!

The highly anticipated ‘Gruffalo Granny’, the first book in the award-winning series by Julia Donaldson in twenty years, is available now!

OUT TODAY‘Island of Roe Deer: The Story of Raasay’ by Roger Hutchinson, author of the bestselling ‘Calum’s Road’, is out...
03/09/2026

OUT TODAY

‘Island of Roe Deer: The Story of Raasay’ by Roger Hutchinson, author of the bestselling ‘Calum’s Road’, is out now!

‘This is the story of the Hebridean island of Raasay from the time of the hunter-gatherers to the 21st century. It is dramatic tale which includes Irish missionaries, Viking invaders, the medieval Lordship of the Isles, adoption by the crown of Scotland and centuries of peace in the clan system. During this time Raasay’s people developed their own character and be-came known for their musicality, seamanship and proudly independent nature.

Retribution for their Jacobite sympathies was severe and was followed in the 19th century by clearance and decline. At times in the 20th century Raasay’s future looked bleak: an iron mine established before the First World War was abandoned, 200 hundred German prisoners-of-war came and left, and absentee landowners drifted in and out until the entire island was nationalised by the state.

But at the start of the 21st century, stability and optimism was generated by the establishment of several community-led housing and energy projects and a new distillery. In 2026, the future looks bright’ (taken from blurb of book)

Great to see you again, Andy the Highlander!Andy McAlindon, better known as Andy the Highlander, is one of Scotland’s bu...
30/05/2026

Great to see you again, Andy the Highlander!

Andy McAlindon, better known as Andy the Highlander, is one of Scotland’s busiest tour guides. He is the author of the Sunday Times-bestselling ‘Lochs & Legends’, which was co-written by Lilly Hurd.

We had a visit last week from Tony Bonning, also known as ‘The Man with the Horse’!Tony has been gathering stories about...
11/04/2026

We had a visit last week from Tony Bonning, also known as ‘The Man with the Horse’!

Tony has been gathering stories about kelpies (each-uisge in Gaelic) from across Scotland for over forty years. In 2023, he travelled around the Isle of Skye accompanied by his grey Cob horse ‘Chief’, and collected over a hundred tales.

These tales would reflect their region of origin: in some places they’re tricksters, in others they’re more dangerous. But the more malevolent and cunning of them would often be found in the north-west of Scotland.

Stories contained in this book include ‘Cuchullain and Skathach’, ‘The Ghosts of Duntulm’, ‘Tarbh Uisge (Water Bull)’ and more.

Signed copies available in the shop if you’d let to get one!

Taing airson tighinn a thadhail, a Dhòmhnaill!Donald S. Murray, who previously won the Paul Torday Memorial Prize for hi...
24/03/2026

Taing airson tighinn a thadhail, a Dhòmhnaill!

Donald S. Murray, who previously won the Paul Torday Memorial Prize for his debut novel ‘As the Women Lay Dreaming’, was in yesterday signing copies of his new novel, ‘The Loch of the Bees’. Do get in touch if you’re interested in getting a copy!

‘Compassion and humanity shine through this rich, rewarding novel, which portrays every individual as part of something bigger and a community greater than the sum of its parts’ - Alastair Mabbott, The Herald

We had a visit from local writer Sue Wood in the shop yesterday! Bha e math ur faicinn a-rithist. Signed copies of her b...
12/03/2026

We had a visit from local writer Sue Wood in the shop yesterday! Bha e math ur faicinn a-rithist.

Signed copies of her books are available in the shop!

She is the author of a number of children’s titles and poetry books, all of which are inspired by the scenery and wildlife of Skye.

11/03/2026

A customer asked us to send a book to Australia yesterday, ‘Under a Summer Skye’ by Sue Moorcroft. Unfortunately, this order did not go through to the distributor and we need to get the address details again.
If you are that customer please get in touch with us and we’ll get this sorted. And please accept our apologies.

We had an author visit today!Elliot Fletcher is the author of the Macabe Brothers books, a series of romantic novels (wh...
10/03/2026

We had an author visit today!

Elliot Fletcher is the author of the Macabe Brothers books, a series of romantic novels (which fellow writer Cressida McLaughlin ‘loved’) set on the Isle of Skye.

Taing airson tighinn a’ thadhal oirnn, Elliot!

From bestselling author of ‘The Bookseller of Inverness’ and the Damian Seeker series Shona MacLean…‘‘The Cromarty Libra...
26/02/2026

From bestselling author of ‘The Bookseller of Inverness’ and the Damian Seeker series Shona MacLean…

‘‘The Cromarty Library Circle’ is exquisite. An intricately woven tapestry of the lives of a Scottish community over the course of one momentous year. Beautifully written, impeccably researched and with characters we grow to love and care about deeply…A triumph’ - Sean Lusk

Signed copies available in the shop. Leig fios mu tha sibh airson fear fhaighinn!

21/02/2026

Only a limited number of copies available…

‘Glas’ (Scottish Gaelic for ‘grey’) is Andrew Tobin’s latest work, following on from the success of ‘Skye at Night’. The shots of Skye featured in this book are entirely in black-and-white, in contrast to the over-saturation often seen with modern photography, allowing you to form your own interpretation. Acclaimed poet Rody Gorman has contributed some of his own verse to this book, written in Gaelic with English interpretations.

The book is retailing at £170. It comes with a presentation slipcase, as well as a red tote bag.

Only 75 copies have been printed, with only a handful remaining. There won’t be a reprint, so let us know soon if you’re interested!

Address

Bank Street
Portree
IV519

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm
Saturday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+441478612585

Website

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