| Author | Angus McDiarmid |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Southern Scottish Highlands |
| Genre | Description and travel |
| Publisher | John Moir |
Publication date | 1815 |
| Publication place | Scotland |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 28 (main text) |
| OCLC | 29627181 |
Striking and Picturesque Delineations of the Grand, Beautiful, Wonderful, and Interesting Scenery Around Loch-Earn, also published as A Description of the Beauties of Edinample and Lochearnhead, is a short book by the Scottish writer Angus McDiarmid (fl. early 19th century) that led the local-history populariser Archie McKerracher to call him "the world's worst author".[1]
The book is considered poorly written and has been humorously criticized by readers. The main text describes the scenery near Lochearnhead, including landmarks and local history. McDiarmid's writing style is characterized by obscure and misused words, leading to its classification as a literary curiosity. The book gained some attention for the phrase "incoherent transactions" and has been referenced by other authors. McDiarmid's background and existence are unclear, leading to speculation about his authenticity. The book was first published in 1815, with subsequent editions released in 1816, 1841, 1875 (including a Gaelic edition), and 1876.