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Indelible Ink: Candia McWilliam’s ‘Debatable Land’
One of the never ending discussions about books is whether the meaning comes from the reader or the writer. Of course, the answer is both, but where the balance lies is constantly shifting, and often circumstances and situation dictates this as much as the writing itself. Candia McWilliam’s ‘Debatable Land’ is full of rich metaphor […]
Alistair Braidwood
September 25, 2014
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My Thoughts As An Expat Back In Scotland This Week.
When the date for the Scottish Independence referendum was announced last year, I knew I had to be back in Scotland for the vote. I expected it to be an important constitutional moment. What I didn’t expect was to be moved to tears by the mood of confidence and optimism of the Scottish people.
Pete Reid
September 17, 2014
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Indelible Ink: Christopher Brookmyre’s ‘Quite Ugly One Morning’
We have said before in these columns that the early to mid-nineties in Scotland was one which was politically bleak, no matter what your persuasion was. The victory of the John Major led Conservatives in 1992’s UK election saw Labour victorious in Scotland, and with no power in the rest of the UK, the promised […]
Alistair Braidwood
August 18, 2014
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On How A German World Cup Win Could Lead To Scottish Independence
When I worked at the Scottish Parliament about 14 years ago, I had a fanciful conversation with a senior MSP about what effect a Scottish World Cup win would have on a vote for independence. My feeling was that if it happened on the eve of a referendum, the feel-good factor of such an, admittedly […]
Pete Reid
July 6, 2014
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Indelible Ink: Frank Kuppner’s ‘A Very Quiet Street’
The history of Polygon Books is one of the most interesting in Scottish publishing. From its beginnings as an arm of Edinburgh University Press it quickly became known as a home for experimental and challenging writing, something it still does better than most to this day. Frank Kuppner’s 1989 novel, ‘A Very Quiet Street’ is […]
Alistair Braidwood
June 9, 2014
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Indelible Ink: Andrew Greig’s ‘Fair Helen’
The historical novel often gets a bad press, especially in Scotland where Sir Walter Scott has cast a long, and unfairly prejudicial, shadow. As if to prove my point, this month’s novel, ‘Fair Helen’ by Andrew Greig, is inspired by the Border ballad, ‘Fair Helen of Kirkconnel Lea’, which was published by Scott in Volume […]
Alistair Braidwood
May 6, 2014
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Indelible Ink: Michel Faber’s ‘Under The Skin’
One of most eagerly anticipated film of recent years, at least round these parts, was Jonathan Glazer’s ‘Under The Skin’, much of which was shot on the streets of Glasgow, with an (almost) unrecognisable Scarlett Johansson in the lead role. You can read my review of the film over at Scots Whay Hae!, but news […]
Alistair Braidwood
April 9, 2014
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Scotland at SXSW 2014 – Interview with Casual Sex
Some time ago, I used to publish a new interview every Friday here on these pages. I got out of the habit and it has taken something very special to bring the Friday Interview back. Glasgow’s Casual Sex are one of the most exciting new bands to emerge from Scotland in recent years. And they […]
Pete Reid
February 21, 2014
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Scotland at SXSW 2014 – 11 Scottish Bands and More
With just over 2 weeks to go until the annual SXSW tornado arrives here in Austin, it is time for a wee look at who will be representing Scotland this year. Right now we have 11 Scottish music acts confirmed as well as 3 films and an SDI event.
Pete Reid
February 20, 2014
