This unpretentious book landed on my desk, and I flipped through it, intrigued by the blurb: Edinburgh is a city full of historical attractions and world famous festivals, a magnet for visitors from around the world. But away from the city, hidden amongst a 17th century landscape, lies Cammo Estate. Its history far stranger than fiction. The ruined mansion was once home to the infamous last residents, the Maitland-Tennent family.

Torn apart by divorce, feuds and financial scandal.

A mansion filled with antiques, left to rot, open to the elements and thieves. This is Cammo, once home to the reclusive Black Widow.

The author, Simon Baillie first became fascinated by Cammo when on a walk with his neighbour and decided to find out more about this neglected estate, so off to Edinburgh Central Library he went. Like Topsy, the book ‘growed’.

It is divided up into sections. There is a brief history of Cammo House, the building of the house, the Maitland-Tennent Family, Financial dealings and so on. It could have been proofed rather better but this doesn’t detract from this intriguing book.

Fascinating. And the Black Widow? Ah, read it and see.

The Private World of Cammo by Simon Baillie – £13.45 from Amazon.co.uk