Essays

BACK IN THE DAY

Dunadd, Argyll, woman overlooking capital of Dalriada

Morlais tidal energy scheme

1

Saint Columba and the ‘golden age’ of ancient Dalriada

The novel
adapted for
Humphrey
Bogart’s The
Maltese Falcon
offers lessons
that can help
our movement
soar

The novel
adapted for
Humphrey
Bogart’s The
Maltese Falcon
offers lessons
that can help
our movement
soar

Alan Riach: What independence movement can learn from The Maltese Falcon

Fred Hechinger in Gladiator II. Paramount Pictures

Fred Hechinger in Gladiator II. Paramount Pictures

The Scottish link to Gladiator film’s villainous emperor revealed

Dunadd Hill Fort, the original crowning place of the Kings of Scotland, Lochgilphead

Dunadd Hill Fort, the original crowning place of the Kings of Scotland, Lochgilphead

BACK IN THE DAY

Scottish history

1

Dalriada of the Scoti: The ancient kingdoms where Scotland began

There is much to do to make support for independence irresistible and unstoppable, writes Richard Walker

There is much to do to make support for independence irresistible and unstoppable, writes Richard Walker

Scottish independence

2

Richard Walker: Why the Sunday Herald said Yes – and why I’d do it again

A popular Scottish government, committed to ending the Union, should learn to behave 'as if' Scotland were already independent

A popular Scottish government, committed to ending the Union, should learn to behave 'as if' Scotland were already independent

Scottish independence

33

Neal Ascherson: Scotland needs to take an 'as if' approach to independence

Anna Michels, Neil Sutcliffe and Rosie Lavery. Photograph: Camille Lemoine

Anna Michels, Neil Sutcliffe and Rosie Lavery. Photograph: Camille Lemoine

'Music about Scotland is as worthy of attention as European classical canon'

Alan Riach: Open your ears to the music of this Scottish composer

Balmoral Castle in the Cairngorms National Park

Balmoral Castle in the Cairngorms National Park

Balmoral Castle

4

Andy Wightman: King’s ownership of Balmoral is a block on real Scottish land reform

Betting against the future is risky, writes Lesley Riddoch

Betting against the future is risky, writes Lesley Riddoch

10 Years of a Changed Scotland

17

Lesley Riddoch: What exactly have we got a decade after the independence referendum?

Donald Trump’s cabinet picks are a terrifying glimpse at the dystopian future his Project 2025 may be about to unleash on America, writes Mike Small

Donald Trump’s cabinet picks are a terrifying glimpse at the dystopian future his Project 2025 may be about to unleash on America, writes Mike Small

3

Mike Small: This fascist US clown show will bring wreckage to American society

Caledonian MacBrayne ferry at Castlebay the largest settlement in Barra, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Caledonian MacBrayne ferry at Castlebay the largest settlement in Barra, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

BACK IN THE DAY

1

These are the must-visit villages if you are interested in ancient Scotland

Demonstrators hold placards outside the Iranian Embassy in London

Demonstrators hold placards outside the Iranian Embassy in London

1

Uncovering women’s fight against tyranny

Culross, known as one of the filming locations of Outlander, is home to fewer than 500 people

Culross, known as one of the filming locations of Outlander, is home to fewer than 500 people

BACK IN THE DAY

5

The beautiful Scottish village forever stained with blood

Alan Riach invites you to an extraordinary event at Topping’s bookshop

Alan Riach invites you to an extraordinary event at Topping’s bookshop

Come and listen to our Voices at poetry reading in Glasgow

To me, Falkland is the very definition of a VIV – Very Important Village

To me, Falkland is the very definition of a VIV – Very Important Village

BACK IN THE DAY

This is Scotland’s most important village and here is the proof

A Scot by adoption, poet Nada Shawa is also a Palestinian in exile

A Scot by adoption, poet Nada Shawa is also a Palestinian in exile

2

New poetry collection is an antidote to despair for Gaza

Robert Fergusson is chiefly remembered these days as the man who most influenced Robert Burns to write in Scots as well as English

Robert Fergusson is chiefly remembered these days as the man who most influenced Robert Burns to write in Scots as well as English

BACK IN THE DAY

1

Was Robert Fergusson a poet, prodigal son or tavern rat?

West Linton is one of the villages explored by Hamish MacPherson

West Linton is one of the villages explored by Hamish MacPherson

BACK IN THE DAY

2

Small but mighty – the stories of Scotland's villages

Writer and actor Gerda Stevenson at her Borders home

Writer and actor Gerda Stevenson at her Borders home

Alan Riach: Brownsbank Cottage celebration will mark Hugh MacDiarmid's influence

The Common Ridings are a vital part of the traditions and culture of the Borders

The Common Ridings are a vital part of the traditions and culture of the Borders

BACK IN THE DAY

1

Common Ridings are a vital part of Borders traditions

An artist and poet significant in so many ways

An artist and poet significant in so many ways

Scottish independence

Reclaiming our cultural identity through an important artist and poet

Alan Riach and Jamie Reid Baxter discuss the work of poet Esther Inglis.

Alan Riach and Jamie Reid Baxter discuss the work of poet Esther Inglis.

Esther Inglis and the making of a Scottish Jacobean genius

Reivers raid on Gilnockie Tower

Reivers raid on Gilnockie Tower

back in the day

The rise and fall of Borders Reivers and King James's role

We are not so cut off from nature’s reality as to be immured from its contact

We are not so cut off from nature’s reality as to be immured from its contact

Alan Riach: Trouble among the honey-scented heather hills

The Yes movement

The Yes movement

Scottish independence

When's the day and when's the hour - a decade on from independence referendum

Laura Webster, National editor (centre), with Lesley Riddoch and John Swinney

Laura Webster, National editor (centre), with Lesley Riddoch and John Swinney

4

How the 2014 referendum led me to become editor of The National

Glencoe has inspired many works of literature, writes Alan Riach

Glencoe has inspired many works of literature, writes Alan Riach

What a poetic journey through Glencoe tells us about culture

Alan Riach read poems including Rannoch, by Glencoe by TS Eliot during the commemoration at St Conan’s Kirk

Alan Riach read poems including Rannoch, by Glencoe by TS Eliot during the commemoration at St Conan’s Kirk

1

My experience commemorating the Massacre of Glencoe

Rainbow Warrior lies half submerged

Rainbow Warrior lies half submerged

Blame is part of the problem when it comes to world horrors

The artists in Alexander Moffat’s Poets’ Pub who circle MacDiarmid are, by and large, remembered and celebrated while a fitting memorial to the central figure decays

The artists in Alexander Moffat’s Poets’ Pub who circle MacDiarmid are, by and large, remembered and celebrated while a fitting memorial to the central figure decays

1

Exploring the important legacy of key post-Second World War poets

Scott's View, the viewpoint near Melrose in the Scottish Borders, overlooking the valley of the River Tweed, which is reputed to be one of the favourite views of Sir Walter Scott

Scott's View, the viewpoint near Melrose in the Scottish Borders, overlooking the valley of the River Tweed, which is reputed to be one of the favourite views of Sir Walter Scott

back in the day

1

Of romance and Romans in Scott’s beloved Borders

These poets are essential parts of the antidotes to the exploitative caricatures of Scots and Scottishness we still unfortunately suffer with

These poets are essential parts of the antidotes to the exploitative caricatures of Scots and Scottishness we still unfortunately suffer with

Alan Riach: Oppressors might not give up – but then neither do these Scots poets

Seagate Castle in Irvine has played many roles throughout its history, writes Hamish MacPherson

Seagate Castle in Irvine has played many roles throughout its history, writes Hamish MacPherson

BACK IN THE DAY

Scottish history

3

Irvine’s notorious role in Scotland’s witch-hunt fever

Calanais standing stones on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland

Calanais standing stones on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland

Highlands & Islands

Alan Riach: Truth in a world of lies - a recommendation of latest poems

As I watched in disgust, from somewhere in the vast labyrinth of trivia that occupies my brain pan there emerged a thought from history – we’ve seen this before in Britain

As I watched in disgust, from somewhere in the vast labyrinth of trivia that occupies my brain pan there emerged a thought from history – we’ve seen this before in Britain

BACK IN THE DAY

Hamish MacPherson: Mask ban to deal with undesirables

Dornoch Cathedral in Dornoch

Dornoch Cathedral in Dornoch

BACK IN THE DAY

Hamish MacPherson: How could I have overlooked this ancient town?

Begonya Mezquita and Manel RodriguezCastelló have immediate connections with Scotland

Begonya Mezquita and Manel RodriguezCastelló have immediate connections with Scotland

Catalan independence

1

Alan Riach: Introducing two Catalan poets heading to Glasgow this week

John Purser explores how he took his first steps climbing Scotland’s mountains under the wing of the revered WH ‘Bill’ Murray

John Purser explores how he took his first steps climbing Scotland’s mountains under the wing of the revered WH ‘Bill’ Murray

John Purser: Lessons from a rock climbing legend

Man Carrying One Man Curragh Cruit Island, Photo E. H. Purser.

Man Carrying One Man Curragh Cruit Island, Photo E. H. Purser.

John Purser: A cruel tale heard in Ireland decades ago has never left me

CARVED OUT OF MARBLE

CARVED OUT OF MARBLE

John Purser on his friendship with sculptor and etcher Charles Wells

A selection of Maori instruments and crafts

A selection of Maori instruments and crafts

John Purser on working with Maori musicians and their unique instruments

City Chambers, Renfrew, Scotland, circa 1910 (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images).

City Chambers, Renfrew, Scotland, circa 1910 (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images).

BACK IN THE DAY

The small Scottish town with a mighty history now overshadowed by its neighbour

Duncan Williamson sang stories - only they weren't just stories Image: Leonard Yarensky

Duncan Williamson sang stories - only they weren't just stories Image: Leonard Yarensky

A memorable trip to see storyteller supreme Duncan Williamson

Susan was producing for BBC Radio Scotland’s religious affairs department and for some reason they had latched on to me as a presentably tame agnostic with spiritual leanings

Susan was producing for BBC Radio Scotland’s religious affairs department and for some reason they had latched on to me as a presentably tame agnostic with spiritual leanings

John Purser: The sound of Mingulay, a story of a rare recording field trip

Margaret Fay Shaw and John Lorne Campbell gifted the island of Canna to National Trust for Scotland

Margaret Fay Shaw and John Lorne Campbell gifted the island of Canna to National Trust for Scotland

The remarkable life of musician and folklorist Margaret Fay Shaw

A foggy sunrise at Merklands Quay, 1956, taken by John Purser with a Box Brownie

A foggy sunrise at Merklands Quay, 1956, taken by John Purser with a Box Brownie

John Purser: Two ship's officers and two ships

A whiskey maker and a composer who fled the Nazis

A whiskey maker and a composer who fled the Nazis

10

A seaman from Skye and a composer who fled the Nazis

Hamish MacPherson looks at how St Andrews made golf in the final part of his series on the ancient town

Hamish MacPherson looks at how St Andrews made golf in the final part of his series on the ancient town

BACK IN THE DAY

Did St Andrews make golf, or did golf make St Andrews?

Martin Dalby with John Purser who is playing the Caprington horn, Scotland's oldest surviving playable musical instrument

Martin Dalby with John Purser who is playing the Caprington horn, Scotland's oldest surviving playable musical instrument

1

Scotland's Music: Working with Martin Dalby on a groundbreaking series

Tom Fleming gave a 'monumental' performance in Carver, ably matched by Anne Kristen

Tom Fleming gave a 'monumental' performance in Carver, ably matched by Anne Kristen

1

A behind-the-scenes insight into the world of radio at BBC Scotland

Bertolt Brecht’s The Visions of Simone Machard at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow

Bertolt Brecht’s The Visions of Simone Machard at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow

John Purser: Do you have to experience horror or tragedy to give it true expression?

A scene from a A Midsummer Night’s Dream

A scene from a A Midsummer Night’s Dream

John Purser: Shakespeare, the Citizens Theatre and the Sixties

John, Augustus Edwin; Zoe Hicks (1922-1996)

John, Augustus Edwin; Zoe Hicks (1922-1996)

Glasgow Theatre Royal

The ‘Citz’ in the sixties: Performance never-to-be-forgotten