Belonging by Amanda Thomson

Belonging is a thoughtful and intricate meditation on many things: Scotland’s settlements and how those intertwine with the country’s natural landscape, the connections and disconnections between family and home, and the fine line between what is nature and what is art.

Thomson’s writing is assured and accomplished, with a clarity of voice that is a pleasure to read. The text itself is at once intimate and authoritative, with research into the histories of Scotland’s places, its animals, and its plants centred within Thomson’s personal narratives. She uses images and short chapters of Scots words and their definitions to break up the main text; the images in particular are a welcome addition – they are a wonderful illustration of her stories, whether sharing maps of walks she has taken, old family pictures, or photographs of birds which she has taken herself. These photographs – particularly those from her family archive – add a layer of intimacy to the reading experience.

At times, the list of Scots words (mainly about nature and how it is interpreted and defined in language) and their definitions becomes a little challenging to read thoroughly. However, the experience of making your way through them in a wandering way is enjoyable. It feels akin to meandering through the forest, taking the path of most appeal, which is something Thomson has spent much time doing.

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Canongate Books, 4 Aug