The mysterious Man in the Tartan Turban...at Holyrood Palace

'Almost sounds like the next Bond movie!' An enthusiastic member of the audience reported back to us about John Keay's 'inspirational' talk which took place in the suitably splendid surrounds of The Queen's Gallery in Edinburgh's Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Her quip was well judged, for just as the fictional James Bond was renowned as a man of mystery, so was the enigmatic but very real Alexander Gardner.

The talk, held on Thursday 22 February, was part of the Royal Collection’s dazzling touring exhibition, ‘Splendours of the Subcontinent: A Prince’s Tour 1875–76’. John explained, amongst other things, how Alexander Gardner connects directly to the Prince of Wales' tour of India.

Want to know the connection? Well, you'll have to read the book for yourself!

The new beautifully-designed petite paperback edition is now available via The Week, WHSmith and all good booksellers, as well as direct from ourselves.