One of Scotland’s best-known naturalists and conservationists is “quietly confident” that Brexit won’t automatically lead to declining environmental standards—as long as we’re careful. Speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival to promote his new memoirs, Sir John Lister-Kaye admitted to being worried about the situation but also thought “it might be quite healthy”. “What’s happened […]
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Lack of a Scottish Film Studio ‘a Disgrace’, says John Gordon Sinclair
The lack of a proper film studio in Scotland is “shameful” and “a disgrace”, according to John Gordon Sinclair, star of iconic 1981 film Gregory’s Girl. Speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, while promoting his third crime novel Walk in Silence, the actor and author was asked by an audience member for his perspective […]
Queen of the Clyde
To the Cunard board that had commissioned her, the new liner was simply designated Q4, the fourth class of “Queen” to join the Cunard passenger fleet. At John Brown’s Shipyard, Clydebank, where some 3,000 men spent two years constructing the 58,000-ton liner, she was “No 736 express passenger liner”. Neither, of course, were destined to […]
Most Literature ‘Plays the Same Games as Governments’, says French Author Édouard Louis
Most literature works with, rather than against, the way the world is, according to French writer Édouard Louis, author of the autobiographical novel The End of Eddy. Speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on Monday evening, Louis explained: “When we talk about Literature or Arts, we always have the impression that they are kind […]
Stage Struck
March 15th was a special day for Mary McCluskey. Not, we hasten to add, because she found herself speaking with The Scots Magazine; the date marked the 25th anniversary of her becoming Artistic Director of Scottish Youth Theatre. That said, Mary’s involvement with the company actually goes back even further—her first job was as part […]
Irvine Welsh: Fringe-Spotting
Few writers—certainly living writers—have their name attached to three different shows on this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Irvine Welsh, however, does. “Yes, it’s crazy,” Irvine says. “It’s a bit like buses, you know? You wait for ages and they all come at once.” “They’re all very different in their own ways,” he adds. “Trainspotting Live […]
Scotland’s “Route 66”
Committees, cynics say, have a reputation for designing camels rather than champion racehorses. However, the Tourism Project Board established by North Highland Initiative appears to have produced a genuine winner: a new scenic route showcasing ancient castles, glistening sandy beaches and spell-binding heritage that’s been knowingly promoted as “Scotland’s answer to Route 66”. Officially starting—and […]
