INVERCLYDE takes centre stage in two new books on Scotland in the year of the historic referendum.

Author Daniel Gray, who had previously featured the area prominently in football book ‘Stramash’, came back as part of a tour of the nation.

He fell in love with Inverclyde on his last visit and it was one of the first areas on his wish list for his latest title, ‘This is Scotland.’ Edinburgh-based Daniel and photographer Alan McCredie travelled together to shed light on all corners of the country as the big vote approached.

Snapper Alan was so taken by the district that he returned to Greenock to capture more images for his own book, ‘One Hundred Weeks of Scotland’.

Daniel said: “For me Inverclyde is Scotland in miniature. You have the people, the beautiful views and the incredible industrial history. I have really researched the area and there are just so many amazing stories to tell.

“What struck me the most was the change in Inverclyde since I was last there four or five years ago.

“It was stark. There is a new found hope about the place.

“People seemed more upbeat.

“I know that times have been difficult but it just felt different — so much has changed.

“I first came here for my book Stramash and was blown away by Cappielow — it is my favourite stadium on earth.” As he returned to Inverclyde with Alan, Daniel hoped to get a flavour of what it felt like to be living in Scotland in 2014.

Daniel added: “It has been such an interesting time to be here in Scotland right now.

“We enjoyed travelling round talking to people.

“I love just listening to people’s conversations as they go about their own business.

“We were in Inverclyde quite early in the referendum campaign, so people were just getting on with it at that time.” Alan started work on his own book about Scotland when the historic Edinburgh Agreement was signed back in February 2012.

He said: “Photographs of rolling hills and lochs are not what inspire me, I am moved by industrial images and Greenock is just perfect. It was incredible.

“I really enjoyed travelling around Scotland with Dan for his book.” This is Scotland by Daniel Gray, photographs by Alan McCredie, is published by Luath Press priced £9.99.

One Hundred Weeks of Scotland by Alan McCredie is published by Luath Press and is on sale for £9.99.