Books
Frankenstein’s Scottish links explored in TV show
FRANKENSTEIN’S Scottish links are being explored in a new television programme. Sàr-sgeòil: Frankenstein – produced by Caledonia TV for BBC Alba – examines the origins of Mary Shelley’s novel. Broadcaster Cathy MacDonald visits Dundee to find out more about Shelley’s time in the city. In the introduction to the 1831 edition of her book, Shelley…
Read MoreGuy Grieve shares adventures at Game Fair
SCOTTISH FIELD columnist Guy Grieve will be sharing stories from his adventures at next month’s Scottish Game Fair. Grieve will take to the stage in the Hive tent at 6pm on Saturday 2 July to tell tales from his journeys through the wilderness and across the seas. He will also be in conversation at 10.30am…
Read MoreDiana Gabaldon to get honorary degree
OUTLANDER author Diana Gabaldon will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Glasgow this summer. Gabaldon will become an honorary doctor of letters (DLitt) alongside human rights activist Sir Geoff Palmer and National Theatre of Scotland artistic director Jackie Wylie. Other honorary graduates this year will include Mary Robinson, who served as Ireland’s first…
Read MoreOutlander author in book festival line-up
OUTLANDER author Diana Gabaldon is among the writers who will appear at this summer’s Edinburgh International Book Festival. Gabaldon returns to the festival for the first time since 2014 as part of VisitScotland’s “Year of Stories”. She is among more than 550 authors from 50 countries who will take part in 600 events at Edinburgh…
Read MoreMcIlvanney Prize 2022 longlist revealed
THE longlist for the McIlvanney Prize 2022 has been unveiled to mark book festival Bloody Scotland’s 10th anniversary. Ten books are competing for the £1,000 award, with the list dominated by Scottish publishers Canongate and Polygon. Two-and-a-half of the authors have won the prize before: Liam McIlvanney in 2018; Denise Mina in 2017; and Chris…
Read MoreQueen’s birthday honours for Rankin and curlers
THE Queen’s birthday honours list includes a knighthoods for author Ian Rankin and shortbread maker James Walker, as well as awards for our Olympic-winning women’s curling team. The creator of detective John Rebus was made a knight bachelor for his services to literature and charity. A walk around Edinburgh’s literary landmarks with Rankin was the…
Read MoreDracula and his Scottish links are revealed
DRACULA and his links to Scotland are being marked tonight. Bram Stoker’s novel is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. Stoker began writing Dracula while staying at the Kilmarnock Arms Hotel in Cruden Bay, with his signatures from its guestbook in 1894 and 1895 surviving to this day. Aberdeeshire Council is hosting a civic reception…
Read MoreJohn Sentamu opens Christian Aid 50th book sale
CHRISTIAN Aid welcomed former archbishop of York John Sentamu to Edinburgh on Saturday to open its 50th book sale. Scotland’s biggest charity book sale is hosted at St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church of Scotland on the capital’s George Street. The event has raised more than £1 million for the international development charity during…
Read MoreEdinburgh International Book Festival flits to new home
THE Edinburgh International Book Festival won’t return to its traditional home in the city’s Charlotte Square Gardens, but is instead moving into the former Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. The book festival, which began in 1983, broadcast online sessions during 2020 and then moved into Edinburgh College of Art last year to hold hybrid events. The festival…
Read MoreBirlinn founder Hugh Andrew receives Shackleton medal
PUBLISHING house Birlinn founder Hugh Andrew has been presented with the Shackleton medal by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Andrew received the award for his “leadership and citizenship in publishing”. He was also made an honorary fellow of the society. Roger Crofts, former chair of the society, described Andrew as the “vital spark” of Scottish…
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