October 2024

  • Halloween special: the Quaich of Spite

    Read or listen to a terrifying tale of Carbisdale Castle, a desperate hiker, a mysterious silver chalice, Rolf Harris and a creature called Finn. What’s the English for ‘Am Fear Liath Mòr’? Listen to the story (about 24 minutes), read by me, here. Or read on… So, great attempts, heroic ventures shall Advance my fortune,…

  • Drink…or down the sink?

    Given minimum alcohol pricing, can you get a decent white wine for, err…30p? And is it possible to talk meaningfully about alcoholic drinks? Drink…or down the sink? Having spent a  fair chunk of my career as a professional drinker – writing and broadcasting about the stuff (mostly whisky), two Glenfiddich and two Guild of Food…

  • Chased by rainbows, comforted by Tunnocks, standing down as a councillor

    And The Ballad of the Unfaithful Shepherdess. Not everyone in Shetland loves sheep Chased by rainbows, comforted by Tunnocks (You can read this week’s newsletter or listen to me reading it. I’ve kept The Ballad of the Unfaithful Shepherdess separate and it appears towards the end if you scroll down. ) The whole thing is…