Alexander McCall Smith honoured on King’s New Year list

Scottish Field columnist and author Alexander McCall Smith has been honoured as Knight Bachelor in His Majesty The King’s New Year Honours list. The acclaimed Scottish writer was recognised his service to literature, academia and charity. Perhaps best-known for his series of novels set in Botswana, The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Alexander is the author of more…

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Fordyce Maxwell book to raise money for prostate cancer charity

A collection of newspaper columns from esteemed journalist Fordyce Maxwell have been made into a book to raise money for prostate cancer. Fordyce died last year, aged 77, but now a collection of 50 of his finest Scotsman articles has been published by his family to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK. When Trees Were…

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Fordyce Maxwell book to raise money for prostate cancer charity

A collection of newspaper columns from esteemed journalist Fordyce Maxwell have been made into a book to raise money for prostate cancer. Fordyce died last year, aged 77, but now a collection of 50 of his finest Scotsman articles has been published by his family to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK. When Trees Were…

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Harry Potter book found in Highland bookshop sells for £55k

A first edition of Harry Potter, which was bought for a tenner in 1997, has sold for an eye-watering £55,104 at auction. The hardback copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the first book in JK Rowling’s stories about a boy wizard, was picked up by a woman who found the book during a…

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Poet Liz Lochhead recognised with a lifetime achievement award

Poet and playwright Liz Lochhead, who championed the Scots language for decades, has been recognised with a lifetime achievement award. Born in Motherwell in 1947, the former Scots Makar, began to write while studying at the Glasgow School of Art and her first book of poetry was publishing in 1972, selling 5,000 copies and winning…

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Book review: Private Matters

Scottish journalist Mairi Fraser spent nearly 15 years on the front line of Fleet Street’s urban jungle. But her new book Private Matters is her first attempt at writing without a news editor bearing down. The novel follows the complexities of a British boarding school, revealing an intricate web of relationships, challenging the usual traditions.…

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Shortlist for Scotland’s National Book Awards announced

The shortlist for Scotland’s National Book Awards has been announced, featuring books on climate change, the importance of male friendships and King James VI. The Saltire Society awards recognise work across six literary categories, from fiction to research, history and poetry. The winners each receive a cash prize of £2,000 and go on to be considered…

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