“She Said He Said I Said: New Writing Scotland 35”, edited by Diana Hendry and Susie Maguire, Association for Scottish Literary Studies, 2017. £9.95.
THE ANNUAL Association for Scottish Literary Studies (ASLS) anthologies are always worth reading, bringing together poetry and fiction from both famous names and newcomers from across Scotland. The latest is no exception, with a wide range of fine writing. Inevitably with any anthology, not every piece will appeal to everyone, but there is more than enough in these pages to satisfy even the sternest of critics. I found it particularly interesting to be introduced to many writers whose work I was not familiar with. Highland writers are well represented, including several from Caithness and Sutherland.
The poetry ranges from sonnets to free verse and includes humour, anger and reflection. Some are historical, some pastoral, some political and some highly personal. James McGonigal’s “Hearing Aid (Noisy Bastards)” concerns the first time wearing the aid. It begins with “Stop shouting at me, everything!” and goes on to describe the water tap as “NIAGARA” and a knife buttering toast as “SANDPAPERING”. The use of upper case letters is particularly effective.
In “Accounting for Elspeth McQueen, Kirkcudbright 1689” Hugh McMillan has an unusual take on the burning of a witch. The horror of burning women at the stake becomes even starker in this poem that lists the financial cost of the execution, including the cost of the peat, coal, rope, tar barrel and even the executioner’s drink which “...cost the council,/they noted, a pint at the start,/seven more/while she burned.”
This story is from the No 316, February 2018 edition of Am Bratach.
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This story is from the No 316, February 2018 edition of Am Bratach.
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Council Gritters Fall Short In Assynt
‘I took to social media in the vain hope that somebody would notice’ — Cllr Currie
Bookends
“She Said He Said I Said: New Writing Scotland 35”, edited by Diana Hendry and Susie Maguire, Association for Scottish Literary Studies, 2017. £9.95.
Graeme At Large
Graeme At Large
A 19th Century View Of 'Wild' Land
A 19th Century View Of 'Wild' Land
Geopark Means Business This Year
Securing long-term government support is a priority, says new chairman
Fraser Darling's View Of Highland Medical Care
The “West Highland Survey: an essay in human ecology”, edited by Frank Fraser Darling, was published by the Oxford University Press in 1955. Fraser Darling (1903-79) was an English ecologist, ornithologist, farmer, conservationist and author who between 1939 and 1943 brought derelict land into agricultural production on Tanera Mòr in the Summer Isles. In January 1944 he met Tom Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, who was aware of Fraser Darling’s published works which included a popular weekly column on agricultural science syndicated in several Highland newspapers. They agreed his plan for a social and biological investigation into the problems of the West Highlands and for establishing an agricultural advisory and demonstration centre in the crofting areas. In Fraser Darling’s own words, the West Highland Survey was established “in order to examine in a spirit of scientific inquiry, to gather a solid body of facts for analysis and synthesis, which would serve as a foundation for a future policy for the region”. He continued: “The argument was maintained that if the problem were understood in its wholeness, solution would be possible”. In June 1944, a team which included Frank Fraser Darling as director and four young Gaelic-speaking field officers, began work. The resulting 438-page book includes the following account of the Highlands and Islands Medical Service, launched in 1913 and forerunner of the Scottish National Health Service. After thirty years, the surveyors regarded the service as an unqualified success, an enviable situation underlined by the number of able medics seeking work in the post-war Highlands.
From Our Archives
Long service nurse to be honoured by community
The Postie's Post
IF YOU are a regular reader of my postie’s posts you will probably sigh when you realise that I am talking about roads again this month. But I do have an excuse and that is because the Highland Council aren’t really that good at managing them at times.
Bookends
George Gunn, “The Great Edge”, Grace Note Publications, 2017. £12.99.
The Postie's Post
WHEN YOU consider that we really don’t have that many roads in the Highlands, the ones we do have seem to get a story from most people you talk to.
