Shona MacLean
@shonamaclean.bsky.social
Scottish writer. Not sure about this at all.
An absolutely mad amount of cherries overhanging the cycle path betwen the old lane and the busy road into town just now. I didn't do so well with the rasps, though, as they were growing on the other side of a ditch, and I'm not at the cycling in my wellies stage. Yet.
Thrilled that "Miss Blaine's Prefect and the Parcel of Rogues," published by @sarabandbooks.bsky.social, is @waterstones.bsky.social Scottish Book of the Month. Thanks to @shonamaclean.bsky.social and Harriet Tyce for the lovely cover quotes.
Miss Rhoda MacDonald who said one day, "Shona could write a book." She also valiantly tried to interest us in Steinbeck. To a man and a woman (or a 14 year old child at a Highland comprehensive school), we hated Steinbeck.
Louie Stowell@louiestowell.bsky.social · 5d agoWho was YOUR great english teacher (if you had one)? For me it was Hugh Epstein at Richmond college (RUTC). I hope he's well, wherever he is!
My mum was a #traveller. My dad wasn’t. At one point both sides hated each other & we were in a caravan by ourselves. Watching #secretlivesofgypsywives was surprisingly emotional. Not many #writers are from my background. #authorlife #amwriting about my heritage
Cal looked at the clock.. "Can I have a bath?" "It's Thursday." [Sorry. I'll stop quoting now. So good though.]
Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 5d agoI wasn't sure for the 1st few pages, but my goodness, once we're on the island, one quotable line after another. For instance, on his grandmother's disregard for the style of her fringe, "She simply needed a way to end her hair and start her face." Top notch stuff.
I wasn't sure for the 1st few pages, but my goodness, once we're on the island, one quotable line after another. For instance, on his grandmother's disregard for the style of her fringe, "She simply needed a way to end her hair and start her face." Top notch stuff.
Dundee Utd v Rangers on the telly, but it's all kicking off in the livingroom over who ate the last triangle of last night's giant Toblerone. Wild, wild Friday night at the homestead.
We introduced our youngest to The West Wing tonight - he was a toddler when it originally aired. Incredible to think it was once conceivable to portray a White House staffed by intelligent people working for a president with empathy and integrity.
Royal Mail rolls out its first e-cargo bikes in the UK, expanding its mix of zero-emission delivery vehicles for urban routes. Read more: zagdaily.com/micromobilit...
Royal Mail launches first cargo bikes for UK delivery
Royal Mail has begun rolling out its first electric cargo cycles across the UK as it expands its mix of zero-emission delivery vehicles for urban routes.
zagdaily.com
A word on sheep, for those embarking on a driving holiday in the Highlands: they are not stupid, honestly. They like tootling about the verges. You don't need to completely stop your car when you see one not in a field, unless it's actually on the road. It will not hurl itself in front of you.
I am not a translator, but I commend this principle of MORE DOGS IN EVERYTHING to those who are.
Louise@selkies.bsky.social · last wk.Is this a good time to mention that in college my History of Translation lecturer (Michael Cronin) told us that one of the first vernacular translations of The Illiad was into Irish, and the translator had to give the main characters dogs because in Gaelic society a free man had a dog
Appearing at Wigtown book festival on Wed 30th September at 4.30 p.m. to talk about The Cromarty Library Circle.
It’s 9am and tickets are on sale! Fill your boots! Come to Scotland’s National Book Town. Fall in love with it, as I did almost 20 years ago! Fall in love with new writers. Meet writers you already admire. Be a reader, a writer, a filmgoer, a music lover. Lots here.
Lee Randall@leerandall.bsky.social · 2w agoOh and here's a PDF of the programme, which goes on sale tomorrow morning: www.wigtownbookfestival.com/uploads/file...
When the story of why humanity didn't stop climate change is written, it will feature front pages like this. Even as the skies blacken with climate change-induced wildfires, right wing media continue their relentless crusade against measures to tackle it.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5... Can anyone explain to me why the UK news page is leading with a serious fire in Europe, while ignoring the fact that the ongoing fire in Cairngorm National Park (in the actual UK) has now been declared a national emergency?.
Europe wildfires latest: More than 130,000 evacuated across France and Spain
Regional emergency management chief Carlos Novillo says extinguishing the Spanish fires is "beyond the capacity" of fire crews.
bbc.co.uk
Helping son clear out his student flat for the last time. "Some of these books can go to the charity shop," I say. "Whoa, whoa there," he replies. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Starting to feel Fahrenheit 451 vibes here." 18 years of education well spent, I suppose.
The sixth #companyofrogues #JonasFlynt #historical #thriller, A THIEF'S REVENGE, is out now in #hardback and #ebooks of all forms. If you've followed the series, this is the end. If not, why not begin with AN HONOURABLE THIEF? #books #readingforpleasure
The Guardian, Mail and Express all featuring pictures of the 1/2 time performers on their front pages, rather than of the winning team. Just ridiculous.
The Odyssey. Oh my word. Usually, fight scenes in films bore me rigid, but for that whole big finale, I did not blink.
Took my new shopping bike out on it's maiden voyage today. In Tesco, reached for what I thought was a 4 pack of Irn Bru, turned out to be 12. "Och, it'll be fine," I thought. 3 and 1/2 miles home with 12 cans on Irn Bru on my back. #tooscottishformyowngood.
Firefighters are spending a third day tackling the wildfire which broke out near Ryvoan Bothy on Wednesday and has spread across 6km of the Cairngorms National Park, amid evacuations of tourists and local residents and growing concern for the welfare of capercaillie living near Ryvoan.
Cairngorms wildfire burns for third day across nearly four miles
Firefighters are still on the scene and an area commander says there are "adequate resources" to deal with the incident.
bbc.co.uk
We now live in a society where if you are incapable of operating a smartphone or another digital device, You will be excluded from mainstream society. That includes access to government services, It also includes banking & shortly the NHS. Be aware of the direction of travel we are heading to.
Under a Binface government, anyone who doesn’t accept human-made climate change as fact will be sent back to school, from Year 1 right the way to A Levels, to see if anything goes in the second time round. #VoteBinface
The mere fact of being in Copenhagen makes your book automatically match your clothing.This does not appear to happen at home. I will maybe just stay here.
Sitting in the garden in the sun, reading a good book, I'm remembering when I was in my early 20s and my dad had retired, and he'd sit out in the sun all afternoon with his coffee and his fags and his book, and I'd worry he was bored. Now that makes me want to laugh so much. You won, Dad, you won.
Well done to the P&J for not letting this one be hidden away. Despite police advice, 6 male councillors vote to allow a taxi license to be kept in the name of a 47 year old male taxi driver found guilty of raping an 18 year old female passenger. All 4 women on the licensing committee voted against.
I have been asked for a list of my favourite booksellers, to invite to a party. Unfortunately, most of my favourite booksellers would be so horrified at the idea of bring invited to a party, I'm not sure I could put them through it.
It is not good when you are trying out a new recipe and all you can smell from the stovetop is 'wet dog'. Fortunately, no-one else in the family is on Bluesky. Although they do have noses.
The 1st in an occasional series of my favourite bike shelters/stands. Singleton of Ord Distillery. Very nice coffee, and a good place for a meeting (the visitor centre, not the bike shelter).
