In the autumn of 2022 I was a couple of years beyond the institutional world of full-time academic employment. I’d been putting my efforts into new forms of writing, such as reflective biographical pieces, garden musings, and short stories. I’d also written a play which had been well received at the Edinburgh Fringe that summerContinue reading “New textbook on the social aspects of care at the end of life: a surprise project”
Category Archives: Working life
Reflections following publication of my first novel
My debut novel Epiphanies and Robberies came out this summer. It tells the story of three people who find new friendships and ways of looking at things, as they simultaneously get drawn into sleuthing a series of art thefts that breaks out across their home region in south west Scotland. I have tried to writeContinue reading “Reflections following publication of my first novel”
Where the music takes me – an interview with Stuart Macpherson
Among the many pleasures of life in Dumfries and Galloway is its thriving music scene, the product of a rich and varied community of singers, players and composers. It’s a place that fosters collaboration and, with that, experimentation across styles and musical genres. In recent times it has also produced creative partnerships with poets andContinue reading “Where the music takes me – an interview with Stuart Macpherson”
Finding a place in the world: the inspiring story of Amy McCreadie
When you are chairing a job interview and explain to the incoming candidate how we are going to proceed, it’s common to receive a polite nod of nervous understanding before the panel members start their questions. When instead, the candidate gives a huge smile and says ‘Awesome!‘ then you know this is no ordinary jobContinue reading “Finding a place in the world: the inspiring story of Amy McCreadie”
Heading Home: a miscellany of writings
In late 2020, on saying goodbye to four decades of work in academia, I resolved to devote time to something that had been bubbling up in my thinking for quite a while: the desire to continue writing, but to do so in a more creative and inventive manner. True, I’d recently written a biography whichContinue reading “Heading Home: a miscellany of writings”
Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 1: Rising Water
On 6th January 2023, in the aftermath of local flooding, three troubled people in the Scottish village of Kirkgate contemplate the year ahead. Obsessive academic, Michael Gilmour has been thrown out by his partner, who is unwilling to live any longer with his constant work obsessions. Newly retired GP, Dr Andrew Carlyle Stuart, has justContinue reading “Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 1: Rising Water”
Alan McClure: creator of songs and wielder of words
I first met Alan McClure over 10 years ago when I read a review of a CD from an upcoming trio called The Geese. I quickly bought a copy and was rewarded with a selection of songs that combined wit, insight and enthusiasm with great tunes and memorable choruses. The acoustic band was quickly bookedContinue reading “Alan McClure: creator of songs and wielder of words”
Hazel Campbell: at the stroke of a brush
The year was 2010. Heading to our favourite cafe/gallery in Castle Douglas one gloomy Saturday, we paused at the front window. A large watercolour painting was mounted on an easel and seemed to be lighting up the whole High Street. Electric blues and vibrant greens shone out around a quirky white cottage. In the foreground,Continue reading “Hazel Campbell: at the stroke of a brush”
Karen Campbell – a writer’s story
Photo credit Kim Ayres Back in the early months of the 2020 lockdown, like many others I was using enforced isolation to broaden and deepen my reading. I found myself reaching out to the works of authors I was aware of, but had not yet ventured towards. In this context, that spring I became immersedContinue reading “Karen Campbell – a writer’s story”
Art, memory and the lobster pot
It is a bright, dry day in October 2021, the full palette of autumn is fully established, and there is still plenty of warmth in the sun. With me are two friends from southern Norway, Lisbeth and Einar. We are spending the day together, drinking coffee in my Dumfriesshire home, exploring the Dalswinton estate, andContinue reading “Art, memory and the lobster pot”
Quotidian 