so we’re doing the 1960s and leah who’s eleven
nearly twelve says what’s vietnam sir and scott
who has already turned twelve but looks about eight
says it’s in korea isn’t it sir…
—Mark Russell, “Drama”
published in With Their Best Clothes On: New Writing Scotland 36 (ASL, 2018)
https://asls.org.uk/publications/books/newwriting/nws36/
#Scottish #literature #poem #poetry #drama #teaching #teachers
Mollie Hunter (1922–2012) was born #OTD, 30 June. Although she produced work for all ages she is best remembered as a writer of fantasy & historical fiction for children & YA. She received numerous awards including the New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year Award, the Boston Globe Horn Book Award & the Carnegie Medal.
1/5
https://discoverkelpies.co.uk/kelpies-author/mollie-hunter/
#Scottish #literature #ChildrensLiterature #kidlit #YA #fantasy #historicalfiction
The Secret Commonwealth
30 June, online – ticketed
Dr Dòmhnall Uilleam Stiùbhart looks at The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns & Fairies, compiled in the 17th century by minister, Gaelic scholar & folklorist Robert Kirk (1644–1692 – unless he’s still alive…)
This photo’s saying nothing, is black and white, opaque.
A frozen moment, not a memory.
The boyfriend with the Pentax took it for the sake
Of taking it…
—Liz Lochhead, “Photograph, Art Student, Female, Working Class, 1966”
published in FUGITIVE COLOURS (Birlinn, 2016)
29 June is #NationalCameraDay
https://birlinn.co.uk/product/fugitive-colours/
#Scottish #literature #poem #poetry #1960s #photograph #photography #womenwriters
At the Canongate Wall
“Stone suits the poetry. Or perhaps it’s the other way round. I think poetry suits stone, more than it suits paper, certainly more than it suits a screen. The poetry releases something latent in the stone.”
Kathleen Jamie visits the Canongate Wall in Edinburgh.
https://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/june/at-the-canongate-wall
#Scottish #literature #poem #poetry #scottishparliament #publicart
We were oot for oor usual dauner roond the toun, Tam and me, and had stopped for a pech at the tap o the hill, whaur they’re plannin tae build eichty new hooses if naebody objects, and probably even if they dae …
—James Robertson, “Bible Talk”
published in THE BOTTLE IMP 3, 2008
https://www.thebottleimp.org.uk/2008/05/bible-talk-by-james-robertson/
Oh ye, wha in your oors o ease,
Are fashed wi golochs, mauks, an flees,
Fell stingin wasps an bumble bees,
Tak tent o this:
There’s ae sma pest that’s waur nor these
To mar your bliss…
—W.R. Darling, “The Pest”
published in Oor Mither Tongue: An Anthology of Scots Vernacular Verse (Alexander Gardner, 1937)
#Scottish #literature #poem #poetry #Scots #Scotslanguage #midge #midges
Queerness in Scotland has always existed, hidden in medieval manuscripts, coded in Jacobite poetry, or expressed through the arts. In the first of a 3-part series, the National Galleries of Scotland explores queer artforms & artists from Scotland, past & present
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKBCxUmPBho
#Scottish #literature #poetry #art #manuscripts #medieval #18thcentury #history #jacobites #queerhistory #queerness #Pride #PrideDay #InternationalPrideDay #LGBTQ
Come all ye lovers and affairs,
singles, discrete souls, and bears,
straightest of straights, bentest of bents,
carbolic scrub, Armani scents…
—Edwin Morgan, “G.G.L.C.”
A poem composed for the opening of the Glasgow Gay & Lesbian Centre, 1995
#Scottish #literature #poem #poetry #Glasgow #Pride #PrideDay #InternationalPrideDay #LGBTQ
When all this is over I mean
to travel north, by the high
drove roads and cart tracks
probably in June,
with the gentle dog-roses
flourishing beside me…
—Kathleen Jamie, “Lochan”
published in SELECTED POEMS (Picador, 2018)
https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/kathleen-jamie/selected-poems/9781509882953
Michael Pedersen on Muckle Flugga: Isolation, Grief & Lighthouses
Following the release of his debut novel MUCKLE FLUGGA, Michael Pedersen speaks to SNACK magazine about turning lighthouses into legends, the ghost of Robert Louis Stevenson, and why this might be his most welcoming work yet.
Last week 27-year-old Scottish author Margaret McDonald became the youngest-ever winner of the Carnegie medal for children’s writing for her debut novel GLASGOW BOYS, which explores mental health, trauma, inequality & identity through the friendship between two boys who have grown up in foster care. Margaret joined BBC Front Row to discuss Glasgow Boys, & writing in Scots, & to read an extract from the book – from 29:35:
Jacobites, Italians & Music in Edinburgh
14 August, St Ceciila’s Hall, Edinburgh – £0–£5
In 1771, Charles Edward Stuart’s personal musicians, Domenico & Francesca Corri, began a new musical life in Scotland. Despite their Jacobite links & Roman Catholic faith, & many scandals that included bankruptcy & legal battles, they emerged as one of the most important & powerful musical families in Scotland.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/jacobites-italians-and-music-in-edinburgh-tickets-1423463099449
#Scottish #history #18thcentury #music #musichistory #18thcentury
An iarmailt cho soilleir tana
mar gum biodh am brat-sgàile air a reubadh
’s an Cruthaidhear ’na shuidhe am fianuis a shluaigh
aig a’ bhuntàt ’s a sgadan…
—Ruaraidh MacThòmais, “Leodhas as t-Samhradh”
Published in Scottish Religious Poetry from the sixth century to the present (Saint Andrew Press, 2024)
https://standrewpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9781800830479/scottish-religious-poetry
#Scottish #literautre #poem #poetry #Gaelic #Gaidhlig #Hebrides #Lewis #summer
Iain Banks: A BBC Radio Collection
New from Penguin: Selected readings & full-cast dramatisations from across the literary & science fiction of Iain Banks.
🐝 The Wasp Factory
🚀 The State of the Art
📚 Piece
🎸 Espedair Street
https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/470032/iain-banks-a-bbc-radio-collection-by-banks-iain/9781529954241