​The story of how Scotland helped to shape Northern Soul

The origins of Soul music in Scotland mirror the rise in popularity of Black music across the UK in the mid 20th century. It acted as a unifying force in a small nation deeply divided at the time by gangs, politics and religion. Scottish Soul fans, DJs and record dealers have made an invaluable contribution to the Soul music scene in Britain, adding to the enjoyment of everyone who ever attended a Soul night, hunted down rare records or bought a Soul compilation CD. In this first ever book detailing Scotland's Soul story explore the DJs, bands and shady characters involved in the fizzing Scottish R&B scene of the early 60s. Read exclusive interviews about little known Mod clubs where one of the world's most successful record dealers learned his trade. Put yourself in the place of early explorers to England who attended The Twisted Wheel in Manchester and later The Torch in Stoke with no more than a holdall and an advert cut from Blues & Soul magazine. How did one of Soul music's greatest ever bands emerge from that scene, sign to Atlantic Records and achieve multi-million record sales? Why did 60s Soul disappear almost entirely in the early 1970s just as Manchester was in the ascendancy only to rise again later that decade, reinvent itself and help to shape the 1980s scene in England? What is the reason Soul disproportionately influences Scotland’s top pop groups and indie bands? Why is it still possible to find clubs playing Northern Soul across the country almost every weekend? For the answers to all these questions and more pre-order your copy of Caledonia Soul from 30th January 2026: How Scotland helped to shape Northern Soul.​

 

This high-quality, limited edition hardback features folded, gathered, sewn & bound pages for durability and strength on 130gsm G-silk paper. The cover, sitting on industry leading 300gsm Magno Satin board and finished in a luxurious gloss lamination, completes and preserves an essential reference book that will look and feel as good as it reads.

Publication in Spring 2026 is supported by your pre-order.

 

The first 500 copies sold also receive exclusive extras not available with future print runs. Secure your limited edition hardback copy of Caledoniasoul: how Scotland helped shape northern soul, by pre-ordering here.