Inspiration

Inspiration for this novel came from a chance reading of the first chapter of the excellent book by Hernan The Scottish Enlightenment , which begins with the shocking case of Thomas Aikenhead, the Edinburgh student hanged for blasphemy in 1697. Further investigation into this period of Scottish history, and the fact that little is known of Aikenhead’s life, sparked my imagination. I created a plot and a cast of characters caught up firstly in this event, and then others that followed in these turbulent and fateful times.

A Selection of Background Reading

Campbell, D (2003) Edinburgh Oxford: Signal books

A satyr against atheistical deism with the genuine character of a deist: to which is prefixt an account of Mr. Aikenhead's notions, who is now in ... damnable apostacy / by Mungo Craig. (1696) Paperback – 13 Dec. 2010 Reproduction of the original in Harvard University Library Early English Books Online

Hernan, A (2003) The Scottish Enlightenment: The Scots’ Invention of the Modern World London: Harper Collins

Hunter, M & Wootton, D (1992) Aikenhead the Atheist: The Context and Consequences of Articulate Irreligion in the Late Seventeenth Century in ‘Atheism from the Reformation to the Enlightenment’. Oxford University Press

Kersting, A & Lindsay, M (1981)The Buildings of Edinburgh London: Batsford

Mackie, J. D. (1991) History of Scotland Harmondsworth: Penguin Books

Prebble, J (1968) The Darien Disaster Harmondsworth: Penguin

Smout, T.C (1969) History of the Scottish People 1560 – 1830 London; Fontana Press

Lady Grisell Baillie’s Household Book 1692 – 1733 Scott-Moncrieff (Ed) (1911) Scottish History Society http://www.archive.org/details/householdbookof100bailrich