The Edinburgh Skating Club

When you look at a painting, what do you really see?

When eighteenth-century poet Alison Cockburn accepts a light-hearted challenge from her friend Katherine Hume to live as a man, in order to infiltrate Edinburgh's all-male skating club, little do they both realise how her new identity will shape their future.

And in the present, art historian Claire Sharp receives a mysterious request: to settle once and for all the true provenance of the iconic painting The Skating Minister.

The Edinburgh Skating Club is the tale of one woman's mission to infiltrate a male-dominated society. Imaginative, romantic and ultimately moving, this time-shift adventure celebrates the women overlooked by history – and, above all, love, in all its unexpected forms.



Michelle Sloan trained as a primary school teacher and studied drama and arts journalism. She is the author of several books for children. The Edinburgh Skating Club is her debut adults' novel. Originally from Edinburgh, Michelle now lives in Broughty Ferry with her family.



'The Edinburgh Skating Club is an engaging read, in which discussions about art, politics, love and gender are woven deftly into the plot'



'History, humour, and plenty of heart, in a slice of Edinburgh heritage served up with more than one unexpected twist. Perfect for fans of Alexander McCall Smith, art lovers and anyone who loves the capital'



'A pacy tale traversing both 18th century and modern-day Edinburgh'



'In this playful and poignant offering of historical fiction, Sloan celebrates love and the unsung contributions of women to Scottish culture... both heart-breaking and enchanting in equal measure'



'The Edinburgh Skating Club is warm and funny with more than a few surprises. It's a very entertaining read with an unexpectedly emotional ending'



'As fascinating and pleasurable as I could have hoped... Embedded in sound historical research, this is a feel-good read which tackles issues of sexism through the ages without ever taking itself too seriously'



'Most impressive and a delight to read'



'Sloan incrementally builds up a plot of some complexity and provides an enjoyable symmetry between period and modern scenes'