i recently read a really fine book that i wanted to recommend:

The Emperors New Kilt
The Two Secret Histories of Scotland
Jan-Andrew Henderson


In fact it is about "the things Scots are famous for- and shouldn´t be; and the things they are not famous for- but should be." (quoting from the back)
and for me the best book concerning scottish history... but it is not only a history book, but provides also scottish lifestyle between the lines.

the about 40 chapters from the 200 pages not only mention great scots but also historical aspects.

i didn t knew that a scot was in america much before vikings or anybody was ;

or that scots had been discriminated (getting the opposite of benefit) in many european contries;

or the that a scot wrote already darwins "origin of species"

or that the scottish covenant (1638) contains the same message, even word by word as the constitution of the US from 150 years later...

for sure they are also the many scotish dicscoveries and technical innovations, but the book is written in a funny, humorous and witty way that i m sure you l enjoy it.