Live events
Edinburgh Fringe 2025: Barbara Dickson at The Stand (August 20th, 2-3pm)
On August 20th, 2-3pm, folk singer, pop star, actor and icon Barbara Dickson reflects on her life and work on stage, and screen - and in music of course - and Barbara will also discuss her choice of a Scottish album, film and book - and what they mean to her.
Come spend a summer lunchtime with us! Tickets here.
(Photo credit: Brian Aris)
Edinburgh Fringe 2025: Horse at The Stand (August 24th, 2-3pm)
In the first of a series of 'Scottish Album Social' events celebrating some of the country’s best-loved LPs, music icon Horse will join me to reflect on 35 years of the band's just-reissued debut, The Same Sky (which features timeless hits like Careful and The Speed of the Beat of My Heart) - and to perform a couple of stripped-back songs from the record.
Edinburgh International Book Festival: 1995 - GRRRLS ALOUD (August 10th)
I’m thrilled to be chairing / hosting / introducing some really special events at this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival, and tickets are on-sale now! Two Hamish Hawk via Ivor Cutler shows (both now SOLD OUT); a discussion with legendary producer Joe Boyd (Pink Floyd, Nick Drake, REM) AND - as a counter to the Murrayfield Oasis swagger (nothing against them, btw; but it is a fab excuse for another party / line of enquiry) - a femme-fuelled bash in The Spiegeltent on August 10th…
Edinburgh Fringe 2025: Gordon Buchanan at The Stand (August 19, 2-3pm)
On August 19th, 2-3pm, award-winning wildlife cameraman, film-maker, presenter, lion-tamer, and a man who's been hailed as "Scotland's David Attenborough", Gordon Buchanan reflects on his life and work, and discusses his remarkable memoir, In The Hide. He'll also chat about his choice of a favourite Scottish album, film and book - and tell us what they mean to him. There are no guarantees that he'll bring along lions, tigers and bears - let alone camels - but then again, you never know...
Edinburgh Fringe 2025: Gavin Mitchell at The Stand (August 18, 2-3pm)
On August 18th, actor, artist, comedian, and surely Scotland's most (in)famous barman - Still Game's Boabby, no less - Gavin Mitchell reflects on his life and work: from his early days at Glasgow's Citz Theatre through working with Robin Williams and John Byrne, not to mention his starring role in a David Shrigley opera, and his time on Monarch of the Glen. He'll also chat about his choice of a Scottish film, book and album, and he'll bring a very special guest: Bob, his legendary dog. I’ll get the pints in; he’s pulled enough of them (Gavin, that is; I can’t speak for Bob…)
Come hang out for lunch with us! Tickets here.
Edinburgh Fringe 2025: Justin Currie (Del Amitri) at The Stand (August 23, 2-3pm)
On August 23rd - singer, songwriter and Del Amitri frontman Justin Currie discusses his life, work, music - and new book, The Tremolo Diaries - as we spend a virtual afternoon together round at his, with Justin's choice of a Scottish album, film and book to keep us occupied: he'll tell us what they mean to him, and why... He might even throw in some imaginary snacks. (Justin once brought me a Danish pastry that may or may not have been half-eaten, so let's just say, expectations are high.)
Come hang out for lunch with us! Tickets here!
Edinburgh Fringe 2025: Grant Stott at The Stand (August 21, 2-3pm)
On August 21st, actor, broadcaster, pantomime fever-dream and vinyl lover Grant Stott chats about his Fringe and theatre adventures through the years, his starring role in River City - and his life-long love affair with Auld Reekie - as we spend a virtual afternoon together round at his, with Grant's choice of a Scottish album, film and book to keep us occupied: he'll tell us what they mean to him, and why... He might even throw in some imaginary snacks. (If he doesn't serve up Thai Sweet Chilli Sensations, then we can assume that the man has been cloned.)
Come and hang out for lunch with us! Tickets here.
Previous Live Show: Paisley Book Festival. James Yorkston & Malachy Tallack (April 26, 4-5pm)
Thanks so much if you joined me at Paisley Book Festival, in conversation with James Yorkston and Malachy Tallack, two hugely-loved songwriters and novelists, to explore ideas of music, writing, landscape, storytelling - the magic of all that - and there were even a few live tunes. Coming to a podcast episode soon!
Previous live show: Val McDermid at The Portobello Bookshop, Edinburgh (July 9th, 7pm)
Delighted that Val McDermid will join me to celebrate the paperback publication of her latest book, Queen Macbeth. We’ll chat about her life, and work - and she’ll also give us a virtual night of entertainment, discussing her choice of a Scottish album, film and book. Tickets here!
Previous live show: Michael Pedersen at the Glad Cafe (March 2, 2025)
The award-winning author and poet discusses a favourite Scottish album, film and book, along with his life, and work, ad stunning new novel, Muckle Flugga. With live music from Siobhan Wilson and Raveloe. Listen back here.
Previous live show: Dawn Steele at Aberdeen’s Granite Noir (Feb 22, 2025)
The stage and screen star and Monarch of the Glen favourite chats about a favourite Scottish album, book and film, live at Aberdeen’s Granite Noir festival. Listen back here.
Previous live show: David Keenan at The Portobello Bookshop (March 27, 2025)
Literary livewire David Keenan (This Is Memorial Device, Xstabeth, For The Good Times), discusses his suitably incendiary new collection of music writing, Volcanic Tongue, live from Edinburgh’s Portobello Bookshop. Thanks so much if you joined us!