NEWS & EVENTS
Here we intend to post any relevant items relating to Hugh MacDiarmid, Scottish literary and other arts activity, community events in and around Biggar and further afield. Let us know of things you think we should publicise by submitting details of any news, events and happenings. Simply email us at macdiarmidsbrownsbank@gmail.com.
Two former Brownsbank Fellows long-listed for the 2024 Saltire Society Literary Awards
We see that beyond, a selection of previously unpublished poems in English by Aonghas MacNeacail, and Already, Too Late, Carl MacDougall’s memoir of his childhood in post-war Glasgow and Fife, have both been long-listed for this year’s Saltire Literary Awards. Both books were published posthumously in 2023 and we believe that both Aonghas and Carl would be as delighted as we are by this late honouring of their work.
Aonghas was Brownsbank Fellow from 1999 to 2002, and Carl was at Brownsbank from 2008 to 2011.
beyond is published by Shearsman Books (£12.95). It is long-listed for Poetry Book of the Year.
Already, Too Late is published by Luath Press (£14.99). It is long-listed for Non-Fiction Book of the Year.
NEW BROWNSBANK PUBLICATION
Radiant Point: Poems from Brownsbank
by Lorna J. Waite
(published by Main Point Books in September 2024, £10.00)
This beautifully produced book contains 38 poems written by Lorna J. Waite during or soon after her residency at Brownsbank Cottage in September 2011. After Lorna’s untimely death in 2023 the poems were collected and collated by Murdo Macdonald, who introduces the book. Also included, as a foreword, is ‘Reflections on Hugh MacDiarmid’ (Lorna’s application for the residency). An afterword contains some of Lorna’s writings on the significance of Robert Burns for her, an Ayrshire-born, Scots-speaking woman, and her report on what she achieved in her time at Brownsbank, which she aptly named ’the Hooseum’.
Radiant Point is a rich and varied collection, full of humour, humanity and with an intellectual depth that MacDiarmid would have enjoyed and admired. It is a fitting tribute to the thinking and writing space that Brownsbank provided to MacDiarmid, as well as to Lorna and the many other writers who stayed there between 1993 and 2012. And it underlines the urgent need to restore the cottage and enable it, once again, to be an engine-house for creativity, learning and new writing.
Radiant Point can be ordered direct from the publisher via this link:
https://www.mainpointbooks.co.uk/new-products-1/pre-order-radiant-point-poems-from-brownsbank
Scotland’s Voices, Past and Future – Alan Riach, James Robertson and Gerda StevensonBiggar and Upper Clydesdale Museum – Fri 20th October – 7.30 – 9pm.
Celebrating the lives and works of the late Aonghas MacNeacail and Carl Macdougall. Both were Writers in Residence at Brownsbank Cottage in the 1990’s. Both produced great works of beauty and importance for the contemporary Scottish Literary Canon. The first half of the show will showcase their work and contextualise their significance.
The second Half will feature Alan Riach presenting his new volume of Poems, The MacDiarmid Memorandum” with readings and context.
Suitable for all ages. Tickets: Adults £7 / Concession £5 (OAP, unemployed and students)
Useful Links
Saltire Society: www.saltiresociety.org.uk
Scottish Poetry Library: www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk
Scottish Book Trust: www.scottishbooktrust.com
