Hill of the Red Fox

Allan Campbell McLean (1922-1989) was a master of Scottish children's writing. He had a deep love of the Highlands -- he lived in a croft house on Skye with his wife and children for 17 years -- and had a better ear for West Highland dialogue than perhaps any other author. His other books include The Master of Morgana, Storm Over Skye, A Sound of Trumpets and The Year of the Stranger.

'Allan Campbell McLean's classic thriller is as exciting today as it was fifty years ago.'-- Jane Sandell, The Scotsman'This is a boy's adventure book. It is set on Skye in Scotland and brilliantly brings to life the islands, countryside and people. It is nicely paced and the adventures in it are a cross between Enid Blyton and a young Bond.'-- Sophie, age 13, Education Otherwise, June 2006'Allan Campbell McLean set a standard for thrillers for young readers and The Hill of the Red Fox has stood the test of time remarkably well.'-- School Librarian, Summer 2006'A magnificent adventure story. It recalls Stevenson and Buchan ... The reader should be swept away by the swift narrative, the splendid vision and the magical atmosphere of Skye which pervades the story."-- Times Literary Supplement'It is an espionage thriller strongly influenced by The Thirty-Nine Steps ... The crofting environment is integral to the action, with sympathetic descriptions of communal activities such as peat gathering, mackerel fishing and sheep shearing.'-- Treasure Islands: A guide to Scottish fiction for young readers aged 10-14, Summer 2003'One of my favourite childhood books ... This is an altogether superior spy story.'-- Allan Campbell