Scots celebrities

 

Some very famous Scots celebrities – 

Successions Brian Cox, James MacAvoy,  Alan Cummings, Outlander stars.

Brian Cox

James MacAvoy

Alan Cummings

Outlander Stars

Repair at Edinburgh book festival 2025

EIBF at Futures Institute

Together We repair Edinburgh International book festival EIBF 2025. The question now is – to repair what path must we follow. We are mostly confused.

Regrets over what might have been or could have been here in Scotland. Our voices lost. I read of our great poets – from Dunbar, Duns Scotus, Buchanan, Allan Ramsey, Hugh MacDiarmid, and of course our national bard Rabbie Burns. The great Scots songbooks: rediscovered, reframed and renewed, and given a fresh and memorable voice. So many voices calling on the vibrant, challenging Scottish winds – that blow wildly on our rugged coastlines and empty shores and islands. 

I visited the small coastal town of Montrose: birthplace of the Scottish Renaissance 1930s. And then onto Arbroath Abbey and the stories of the return of the Stone of Destiny here. The folk musicians, play their melodies,. Looking back and building on and taking the song forwards. Its crucial to have strong foundations, clarity, visions. Great artists instinctively know this.

    At the Edinburgh book festival I have heard many confused voices over the years I’ve attended. Debate and diverse voices are encouraged to broaden our outlooks. There can be controversy alongside a fear too. A fear of upsetting the voices of unionism. The Guardian's Sathnam Sanghera spoke of Empire land; Kezia Dugdale recognised that Scotland is stuck; Lesley Riddick spoke of Scandinavia and better local governing; Irvine Welsh spoke of his personal journeys and successes and his dislike of imperialism; Ruth Wishart spoke of a free press. 

 

Half of Scots support independence, but what does that mean? I try to hear as many and varied voices. Where are we now and where are we heading and how do we understand and know the past? Scotland’s songs fill my head. Caledonia, Westlin Winds, Sunshine on Leith, Ye banks and Braes, Jock O Hazeldean, Scots Wa Hae, Auld Lyne Syne. There are shoots and blooms of positive change – a new Scottish art galleries, national Scottish Theatre, National newspaper….

This doesn’t mean inward naval gazing but to be international we must first be national. A Scottish narrative – a sense of place, and understanding of Scots voices. Sunset song, A Drunk Man Looks at a Thistle......Voices that wonder....There is so much talk of political failure on every side, how is this constructive - and where is the vision and creativity for the future?

 

**EIBF 2025

Edinburgh international book festival 2025 program has been announced, 

Runs from 9^th August to 24^th August. This year our program features over 600 writers and artists from 35 countries, who have a wide range of perspectives on topics of personal, social and global importance.

 

And will included famous names such as Nicola Sturgeon, Irvine Welsh and Diane Abbott

Authors Maggie O’Farrell and Alexander McCall Smith, actors Brian Cox, Viggo Mortensen, Sam Heughan, and Vanessa Redgrave. The Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers band will perform, with novelists Chris Brookmyre and Val McDermid. 

Sturgeon will launch her memoir, Frankly, and will be in conversation with journalist Kirsty Wark as part of the Front List series. While Welsh will discuss his new novel Men In Love, which features the characters from Trainspotting as they experience the heyday of rave culture in the late 80s and early 90s.

*Plus workshops. Bookbinder Rachel Hazell will lead a workshop, Junk Journals Workshop, where old books will be re-fashioned into journals.

This year’s children’s program will include more than 100 events for young readers, including from renowned authors Michael Rosen, Jacqueline Wilson and Cressida Cowell. 

*Words from the Wards - With Illustrations by art students

We believe that everyone has a story to tell and that stories help us make sense of our world. We’ve challenged local writers and poets, this year, to respond to 2025’s Festival theme: Repair. Join us as we bring them together to perform their work: a patchwork of ideas on how to make the world a better place.

 

“We invite you to come and learn something new, feed your curiosity and to broaden your horizons.”

PLUS illustrations for Words from the Wards, the festivals Children’s program. 

Festival director Jenny Niven said: “This year’s key theme of Repair starts from the belief that the brilliant ideas of writers and thinkers can help us repair a host of seemingly ‘broken’ things in our society, from the cycle of fast fashion and our relationship with the environment, to cultural reparations and the state of our politics. It’s a statement of hope and resilience, and an invitation for our audiences to think about what ‘repair’ might mean for them.

“At a time when important conversations can feel impossible to have without igniting conflict and anger, we want the Edinburgh International Book Festival to provide a safe place for challenging but considered discussions. This year our program features over 600 writers and artists from 35 countries, who have a wide range of perspectives on topics of personal, social and global importance. We invite you to come and learn something new, feed your curiosity and to broaden your horizons.”

 

Ian McEwan – Sunday August 13:30 – 14:30 

 

Sam Haeughan: on the Rocks – Saturday 23 August 18:15 – 19:15

 

AC Grayling: Disagreeing Agreeably – Friday 22 August 17:00 – 18:00

 

Sometimes it feels like we can’t talk about anything without further polarising opinions. Join author and philosopher A C Grayling as he seeks the middle-ground in an incendiary debate. Drawing from his new book, Discriminations: Making Peace in the Culture Wars, Grayling shares a fresh take on how we might navigate the messy politics of cultural conflict by recognising the nuance between competing rights and interests.

Some famous names – speak up!  The People Speak – Sunday 24 August 17:00- 18:00

Acclaimed writers and actors, including Viggo Mortensen (The Lord of the Rings, Captain Fantastic) and iconic Vanessa Redgrave (The Devils, Atonement, Mrs Dalloway), for powerful performances of stories, speeches, and songs of protest and rebellion from around the world, and across history. Inspired by the work of people’s historian Howard Zinn and directed by Anthony Arnove (co-editor with Colin Firth of The People Speak), their words shimmer with strength, inspiration, and a vision for a better future. Hosted by Anthony Arnove.

 

*Together We repair Edinburgh International book festival EIBF 2025 

The question now is – to repair what path must we follow.

Half of Scots want independence. Would federalism work? Does Labour work? A big white hope their limited business plan. While Reeves believes in tight reins and her fiscal rules. Scotland is stuck under City of London rules.

 

An economic policy for best outcomes for the people of Scotland. 

'Scotland is a land laden with opportunity,' writes economist Richard Murphy.

We are not small at all – Why are Scots politicians afraid when there is only fear of fear itself.

 

I hear a Drunk man looks at a Thistle,

Parcel of Rogues bought and sold

I hear freedoms sword will strongly draw. 

I hear Scotland is stuck, 

Certainly we must Repair - The big question is -

How much disrepair, crisis, emergency is Britain in?

It seems to be a lot. We can’t ignore. Years of a tough austerity and lack of investment – 

followed by Covid, the damage of Brexit, cost of living crisis, 

with crumbling infrastructure and lack of funding. 

New Labour offer a few crumbs.

 

Repair? Is it possible, in our stuck, fake, out-dated systems here in Britain? Stuck in its 1688 British Constitution?

We must ask how serious is Britain’s crisis? Political debate has become like a meaningless ping pong ball that no one believes anymore. We’re all lied to. But when Consultants feel disillusioned we must surely worry. And when politicians these days are not serious people. 

 

Hinterlands and Confusions

Hinterlands, so we are confused, what is going on?

Regrets over what might have been or could have been here in Scotland. Our voices lost. I read of our great poets and philosophers – from Dunbar, Duns Scotus, Buchanan, Allan Ramsey, Hugh MacDiarmid, and of course our national bard Rabbie Burns. The great Scots songbooks: rediscovered, reframed and renewed, and given a fresh and memorable voice. So many voices calling on the vibrant, challenging Scottish winds – that blow wildly on our rugged coastlines and empty shores and islands. 

 

I visited the small coastal town of Montrose: birthplace of the Scottish renaissance 1930s. And then onto Arbroath Abbey and the stories of the return of the Stone of Destiny here. 

The folk singers and folk musicians, play their melodies and lively jigs and reels at the folk festivals and folk clubs. Looking back and building on and also taking the song forwards. Its crucial to have a hinterland – it’s the strong foundations, clarity, visions, 

Great artists instinctively know this.

 

At the Edinburgh book festival I hear many confused voices over the years I’ve attended. Debate and diverse voices are encouraged to broaden our outlooks. There can be controversy alongside a fear too. A fear of upsetting the voices of unionism. Guardian Sathnam Sanghera spoke of empire land, Kezia Dugdale recognised that Scotland is stuck. Lesley Riddick spoke of Scandinavia and better local governing; Irvine Welsh spoke of his personal journeys and successes and his dislike of imperialism, Ruth Wishart spoke of a free press. 'Together We repair' Edinburgh International book festival EIBF 2025. The question now is – to repair what path must we follow. We are mostly confused.

 

Nearly or over half of Scots support independence, but what does that mean? Indy in Europe? The picture is unclear. I try to hear as many and varied voices. Unionists feel brave and often speak up. While Britain feels broken and in chaos. Those in England have lost support for the Tory Brexit, then they lost support for Labour and now turn to Reform, whose answers feel unclear. 

 

The many voices from the National newspaper: very from the writers of art, culture, and history - to economists and engineers. Where is Scotland now, and where is it heading and how do we understand and know the past? What are we afraid of?

Scotland’s songs fill my head. Caledonia, Westlin Winds, Sunshine on Leith, Ye banks and Braes, Jock O Hazeldean, Scots Wa Hae, Auld Lyne Syne. 

 

There are shoots and blooms of positive change – a new Scottish art galleries, national Scottish Theatre, National newspaper….This doesn’t mean inward naval gazing. But to be international, we must first be national. 

 

A Scottish narrative – a sense of place, and understanding of Scots voices. Sunset song, Waverly, A Drunk Man Looks at a Thistle.

Voices that wonder, what unionism really means? Are we united? There is so mush talk of political failure on every side – how is this constructive at all? Where is the vision and creativity for the future?

China’s Yellow river

 

“To understand a country’s soul you need to immerse yourself in its art.”

The art of the yellow river - Art historian

 

The yellow river basin became the perfect place to settle – 5,500 km, it became the cradle of Chinese civilization.

Thousands of years of culture have forged this country and continues to do so.

Wow, just amazing images!

 

The Edinburgh character of author Muriel Spark

 

The Edinburgh character of “informed air.”  

The Edina temperament is severe, sartorial, self-governing and superstitious and steeped in the supernatural.” An attitude, a dry sense of humour and a way of seeing things. Sane, eccentric or just plain mad?

Spark was an enigma, a puzzle. She was extremely guarded and private. She also lived in the future tense – pretence, counterfeit and games.

 

She was an artist and a poet – a consummate woman writer of 20^th century.

After her breakdown she began again as a novelist. The technique and strangeness of her voices – that electric spark. 

There is a new biography about her life ‘Electric Spark’

 *BOOK - Her most famous book is the Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

 

 

Orkney Skies PHOTOS

 

 

Orkney skies are perfect soft turquoise blues and yellows. The winds mean the skies can be ever changing and quietly dramatic. On our first few days there was calm, even over at the Churchill Barriers over Scapa Flow, where the British navy was stationed during the war. And where there is a tiny chapel built by the Italian prisoners of war. The next day we wandered down the historic street of Stromness to visit the museum there – that houses  incredible array of artefacts from all across the world, there was trade via the Hudson Bay company and the explorer John Rae (1813 – 1893) was a Scottish surgeon who explored parts of Northern Canada. He was a pioneer explorer of the Northwest Passage. Here I purchased an excellent biography of Orkney poet George MacKay Brown. Well worth visiting!

 

Famously there is the ancient Ring of Brodgar and the archaeological site of the Brodgar of Ness. 

 Kirkwall is the Orkney capital, and there are so many classy shops here. Also the impressive Kirkwall cathedral. 

 

Up the west coast of Orkney there is the prehistoric Skara Brae. The winds got up on a drive up to Birsay Earls Palace ruins. Over on the east coast there is beautiful beaches and the new Sheila Fleet  jewellery galleries. Plus the Bishop and Earls Palace.

 

Perfect & Magical

Stromness

SKARA BRAE

RING OF BRODGAR

John Rae (1813 – 1893) was a Scottish surgeon who explored parts of Northern Canada. He was a pioneer explorer of the Northwest Passage.

Rae explored the Gulf of Boothia, northwest of the Hudson Bay from 1846 to 1847, and the Arctic coast near Victoria Island from 1848 to 1851. In 1854, back in the Gulf of Boothia, he obtained credible information from local Inuit peoples about the fate of the franklin expedition, which had disappeared in the area in 1848. Rae was noted for his physical stamina, skill at hunting, boat handling, use of native methods, and ability to travel long distances with little equipment while living off the land.

Here I purchased an excellent biography of Orkney poet George MacKay Brown.

Skara Brae Orkney

Skara Brae & Skaill house

The absolutely spectacular Neolithic village of Skara Brae

 

 lies nestled in Skaill Bay, Orkney.

This historic site was only discovered in 1850, when a storm uncovered the round mounds covered in grass. Visitors can see how people this long ago lived, over 5,000 years ago.

 

Skara Brae is a remarkably well-preserved Neolithic village in the Orkney Islands, off the north coast of Scotland. It's considered one of the best-preserved Neolithic sites in Northern Europe and provides a unique glimpse into life 5,000 years ago. The site features eight houses linked by a subterranean passageway, showcasing stone-built furniture like beds and dressers. 

 

At over 5,000 years young, it predates both the Great Pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge. From around 3100 BC to 2500 BC, this remarkable site was home to generations of people for more than 600 years.

In the distance stands Skaill House, the ancestral home of William Graham Watt, 7th Laird of Breckness. It was he who, following a powerful storm in 1850, uncovered what remains one of the most significant archaeological discovery of our time.

 

#oflowerofscotland #SkaraBrae #Orkney #Neolithic #AncientHistory #Scotland— at Skara Brae.

What does the English Party Reform UK - offer Scotland?

Has modern politics become all about money? And who can pay for the best clickbait ads on social media? We thought online might bring improved and open debates. But that requires more effort.

Instead online offers the instant solutions – lazy point scoring and no shades of grey in-between. There’s only good and bad. A comic book view of the world. Especially with the Trump person, who reminds me of the Joker. Except its not funny at all. Now we have the Mega influence arriving on British soil with English party Reform UK: who offer English nationalism. Its run by millionaires who only care about themselves.

What does Reform UK offer Scotland? - Britain is the most centralized western country – Reform will offer more centralization in a crumbling Westminster. Why should a group of people in London offices decide and implement on issues that are mainly relevant for Scotland?

 What reform is Reform UK talking about? - More control by Westminster – less taxes for the rich, blaming and scapegoating the ‘other’ ; or being more aligned to America than Europe.

Scotland’s population is declining without immigration. We need to be in Europe, our natural allies. (Why does Scotland need more housing if our population is declining, is it older homes that need repaired?)

Scotland needs the opposite of what Reform UK is offering?! Scotland needs our democratic rights to self determination – control of our own resources, (already squandered by countless greedy capitalists); to be closer to Europe; and to have more immigration of health and care workers.

Scotland doesn’t believe we are better than any others. All Scots want is a seat at the table. .

Peggy Seeger centre stage: Have we lost our Protest songs

Peggy Seeger

Is back on tour at 91, still on top of her game. She is a member of the musical Seeger family. 

Seeger’s father Charles Seeger was a folklorist and her mother Ruth Porter Crawford is a respected composer. Pete Seeger is her half brother. She was married to English/Scots folk singer Ewan MacColl, who wrote the famous song “The First Time Ever I saw your face” for Peggy.

She was part of the folk revival of the 50s and 60s. She writes songs from a feminist point of view and has recorded 25 albums. 

 

She was blacklisted by America back in the 60s, after her trips to Russia and China. Seeger was later Invited over to the UK by the folklorist Alan Lomax to join the folk group the Ramblers. She was part of the union movement and blazed a trail for women in folk music. 

Seeger was asked by broadcaster Anna Massie, what has happened  to the Protest song – to which she replied she understood the issues as today people would get arrested. She sings Wedge songs, which are about one thing but are really about something else. Much as Burns songs did in his day. 

After Ewan died Peggy returned to America. She returned to the UK in 2010 and has recorded her first ever solo album which marks a musical rebirth after she suffered from serious ill health. 

In 2015 Peggy released Everything Changes. She has said that she enjoyed greatly working with a full session band for the album, which was produced by her son Calum MacColl and features musicians Simon Edwards (Talk Talk, Kirsty MacColl), James Hallawell (The Waterboys, David Gray), Martyn Barker (Shriekback, Goldfrapp) and Kate St John (Dream Academy, Nick Drake). 

I took photos ta the 2015 gig Oran Mor Glasgow. I was pleased with my photos and hope they tell the story of the gig - it is always a challenge and at a classy gig like this full of dedicated folk fans I don’t like to disturb the set and I always aim to be discreet.  I take photos either seated or at the side. This was a family affair with her sister-in-law managing the tour.

 

I wrote at the time -  Folk artists sing with a realism and true heart and never over sing or over do the emotions. There are no pretensions or airs or graces around Peggy. She stood for several songs and for others she clutched her instruments. Occasionally she waved her hands and arms wide. Peggy beamed and showered little pearls of wisdom.  It was heartening to see Peggy still full of joie de vivre and ready to command the stage! At 80, not only is she wise and like the highest quality red wine, she is still challenging herself to be fresh and relevant.  

Venues, Glasgow Music

Glasgow Hydro audience

Glasgow named as City of Music

 

Glasgow is a vibrant and exciting city of music, with the diversity and range of music venues. It has a slightly wild, irreverent and challenging side. Many musicians also say Glasgow audiences are the best!

 

From the concert hall to the modern 14K seater Hydro; iconic mid-size venues and the large number of small venues. World renowned venues include – the Barrowlands, King Tuts, Oran Mor and the Old Fruitmarket. These venues offer a close up and intimate live music experience.

 

There is also the unusual and historic venues – the Tall Ship, on the Clyde, the Macintosh church, Nice n Sleazys, St Lukes, Brel. All this matters in terms of building a healthy and active grassroots music scene for the future. Plus a number of busy folk clubs, jazz bars and more.

 

The Arts and music is a huge industry for the UK and for Scotland. 

 

Glasgow boasts lively Trad sessions, decades of history, iconic venues, intimate gigs,

 

 Outstanding festivals, passionate audiences, record shops, 

 

 

Mary Chapman Carpenter and Friends

Del Imitri Hydro

MY MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY

Over the past years I’ve been to many memorable concerts and taken photos of my musical heroes. I saw my music and lyrics hero Bob Dylan on the Braehead arena - I have to assume he found the large SECC arena impersonal and remote for his previous gig here. I went with my teenage son and his audience is certainly a broad church – from the dedicated disciples who go every concert to the curious. At 70 Dylan is a proliferate as ever with a new album release in 2020, with his stunning, immersive songs.

 

Another icon was Paul Simon, Clyde Auditorium, which was uplifting and joyous. Plus Fleetwood Mac, Elton john, Neil Young. Paul McCartney.

 

On the smaller stages – Arcade Fire, Barrowlands, Admiral Fallow, King Tuts, Hiam, swg6, 

Oran Mor, Emeli Sande. Karine Polwart, Tall ship.

 

I’ve seen other folk heroes at both Celtic Connections and Milngavie folk club - notably the legends Dick Gaughan. Dougie Maclean, Rab Noakes, Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis. And Blue Rose Code (Ross Wilson) was another favourite.

 

Plus the excitement of taking photos at the Royal Albert hall London for Emeli Sande!  2012. I’ve taken photos at many top class gigs – its often been a thrill and an honour with the buzz of the pit and the adrenalin rush to try to capture the right image, that not only tells the story but the artist expressing their innermost reflections..

Music photography expresses my passion of both art and music.

King Tuts famous steps!