Happy New Year!

A happy New Year to everyone. This is a traditional time to reflect and look forward. 2025 was a busy year on the hobby and history front, with never enough time despite being semi-retired. 

I have maintained a good pace with the blog. Two posts a week on average, 109 posts in total, with a decent mix of book reviews, travel and wargaming. My website, Balkan Military History, gets about 2,000 visits a month and generates interesting conversations with people across the world interested in the region. I would like to read more into the blog and website statistics, but sadly, AI bots and the categories Google uses make it less than helpful.

My Nigel Tranter re-reading project has come to an end, with my bookshelves a little lighter and Oxfam's a little heavier. More than fifty of his historical novels have been covered since I started the project back in 2021. Apart from being a great read, it has reawakened my interest in Scottish history, as it did for so many. My latest DNA analysis, to my surprise, places my Scottish ancestors in the West Highlands and islands, so I must dig a bit deeper in 2026.

My book reviews and reading add up to almost one a week, probably more when you add in research for my books. My main publication, The Struggle for the Pontic Steppe, published in October, has been selling better than I expected for an obscure conflict. I am about a third of the way through my next book, and the Christmas holiday is a good time to make progress. I have also managed several journal and magazine articles this year. I have given more than 20 book talks covering all my publications this year, both in person and online. I really enjoy the questions and the feedback. There are book presentations on my YouTube channel.

On the wargaming front, my main project matched the book: the Russian army of the late 18th century in 28mm and 6mm. This was also reflected in the three participation games at the Scottish wargame shows. I was very pleased to get an award for our game at the Claymore show. Other than that, it has been a year of rebasing and adding to my 18th-century 6-8mm collection, as well as small fill-in projects. Not that there has been much of a dent in the lead pile. Additional Ottoman units, including Niẓām-i Jedīd (New Order) infantry and Tatars, aircraft for Blood Red Skies, Jacobite wars, Balkan irregulars, Swiss WW2 and Carthage in 2mm. 

Potemkin Russians in 28mm

I have been my usual butterfly when it comes to rules. I have been playtesting Lust for Glory, the latest iteration of Simon Miller's To the Strongest game system. These should be published this year. I have also been playtesting an interesting Balkan Warband skirmish game, Faithforged. At the Glasgow club, we have mostly played Black Powder and Bolt Action. Similarly, at the Irvine club, I also play at. Midweek games have covered just about everything, including Midgard, Strength and Honour, Blitzkrieg Commander, Rebels and Patriots, Lion Rampant, and others.

My main project for the coming year will be 18th-century Austrians in 28mm. Less-than-subtle hints for Xmas presents have already started the lead pile. My addiction to Turkish TV historical dramas has already sent me down the rabbit hole of Libya during the Italian-Turkish War, 1911-12. I am currently watching a series on Alp Arslan and the Seljuks, but thankfully, I already have those armies. I also want to return to the Korean War. I have a couple of Turkish books on the reading shelf, which I have been putting off until my Turkish gets better. After 470 days on Duolingo, I am still way short of the language skills I need!

I travelled extensively last year. Three trips to the Balkans - Romania, Moldova and Corfu, plus a great stop-off in Istanbul, my favourite city. There were also several trips down south, often linked to book talks, wargame shows, work, or watching Fulham FC. I almost always manage plenty of museums, castles and battlefields on these trips. Nothing planned for 2026 as yet. My daughter is getting married early in the year, which will take up some time. 

All the best for 2026!