🌙 My new illustration of Edinburgh, set at night beneath the moon. It was partly inspired by the 18th century poet Robert Fergusson who wrote of the city: ‘Auld Reikie, wale o' ilka town / That Scotland kens beneath the moon!’ 1/2

Two books arrived on the same day, waiting for me at home having forgotten I’d ordered either of them a long while back: the posthumous books of Heaney and John— sad in themselves, but full of hope and beauty in their pages

🪶We're thrilled to announce 'O'er a' my labours sey your skill: Poetic Responses to Robert Fergusson. Across Scots, English and Gaelic, a wealth of contemporary poets respond to Fergusson's work, proving that, 250 years since his death, his song immortal lives! Taproot Press

Taproot Press Andrew Redmond Barr Gillebride MacMillan For more information or to preorder the collection, please see the Taproot Press website here: taprootpressuk.co.uk/product/oer-a-…

A new collection inspired by the Edinburgh poet Robert Fergusson was launched this afternoon at Glasgow university. Wonderful new poems in English, Scots & Gaelic! (Cover design by me). Thank you Robert Fergusson (1750-74) and Taproot Press. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ✍️

Thanks to all who read at and attended yesterday's online launch - what a fantastic event! Our final launch (for now!) is in Edinburgh on 15 October Golden Hare Books with Pàdraig MacAoidh and a lovely range of poets whose work features in the collection! Get your tickets ⤵️

Extremely sad that my much-loved friend and ally of over thirty-five years, the great poet, dramatist, socialist and acerbic wit Tony Harrison, died yesterday morning, peacefully, with his devoted partner, actress Sian Thomas at his side. I'm so glad I visited them last week.

So sad to hear of the death of Tony Harrison. He was a superb poet & extraordinary man. A highlight of my career was filming & interviewing him for English & Media Ctr Poetry Station. 1/thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/…

Terrible news. One of the truly great northern poets and I'm proud to share a hometown with him. And my god the poems sound just *fantastic*

Today the T. S. Eliot Prize has announced its 2025 shortlist and we are beaming with pride to see our very own Karen Solie recognised for her astonishing Wellwater, which has already been shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best Collection.

Reminder: Please join us on Wednesday 15th October (next week!) for the Edinburgh launch of our wonderful collection! Info and tickets below ⤵️

We had a wonderful evening this past Wednesday celebrating the launch of 'O'er a' My Labours Sey Your Skill': Poetic Responses to Robert Fergusson! It was an evening full of Scots, Gaelic & Robert Fergusson himself—or rather Matt Brady, a tour guide who dresses up as the poet. 📖

Today marks the anniversary of Peter Mackay’s first year as Scotland’s Makar. We've put together a list of commissions and engagements in his official capacity as Makar. He has not been idle! scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/makar-year-one/

We are dizzyingly proud of our colleague Anindya Raychaudhuri on the release of his new book: A Cultural History of Vertigo. ow.ly/RS1V50XJsVi

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone – I hope you’re having restful, joyous, and love-filled days! It’s an apt day to pull out and share some close-ups of a few of T. S. Eliot’s gorgeous Christmas Cards – I think the 1950 card is my favourite! 🎄

T. S. Eliot died on this day in 1965. This photograph showing his empty desk was taken at the Faber office on Russell Square the day after Eliot's death. On the second photograph, Eliot is shown with Helen Gardner, literary critic, scholar, and Faber author.

“Tha a’ Ghàidhlig a’ buntainn ris an àm ri teachd cho math ’s a tha i a’ buntainn ris an àm a dh’fhalbh.” Do #SeachdainnaGàidhlig, tha Makar na h-Alba Pàdraig MacAoidh a’ leughadh an dàin aige ‘Un futuro en camino’. Seachdain na Gàidhlig Scottish Poetry Library #WorldGaelicWeek

"Gaelic is as much a language of the future as of the past" For #WorldGaelicWeek, Scotland's Makar Pàdraig MacAoidh reads his poem 'Un futuro en camino'. Seachdain na Gàidhlig Scottish Poetry Library #SeachdainnaGàidhlig

So many of my best memories with my grandparents involve the sound of Neil Sedaka’s voice on the record player in the background