BOOKS by contemporary Scottish writers have a huge appeal to their fellow countrymen and women, a survey about reading habits has found.

Some 68 per cent of adults said they bought new Scottish works, while just under a third, 28 per cent, purchased at least one such work every six months. The poll, by cultural charity the Saltire Society, also indicated readers across different age groups enjoyed both present day Scottish fiction and non-fiction with those aged between 18 and 24 year, and those older than 55 the most likely to buy new Scottish books.

Jim Tough, executive director of the Saltire Society, said the findings were an encouraging boost for the Scottish publishing industry.