Literary Scotland

The Writersforever acclaimed as author and spark ofThe Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil(1973), a play which changed the idea ofwhat theatre in Britain could achieve. 16James MacGregor(c.1480–1551), Dean of the island ofLismore and vicar of Fortingall, Perthshire,where he compiled the poems that make upThe Book of the Dean of Lismore (completed1512-1542), the most important earlyScottish Gaelic collection. 24Stuart MacGregor(1935–73), novelist, author of The Myrtleand Ivy (1967) and The Sinner (1973),memorably depicting Edinburgh Universityand the pubs surrounding it. 41Donnchadh Ban Mac an t-Saoir /Duncan Ban MacIntyre (1724–1812), Gaelicpoet, one of the greatest of all Gaelic poets,whose ‘Praise of Ben Dorain’ is a major poemin European literature. 29 40Compton Mackenzie(1883–1972), novelist and autobiographer,astonishingly prolific author, classical musicfanatic, initiated Vox in the 1930s, the firstmagazine devoted to reporting the newinvention of radio, co-founder in 1928 of theNational Party of Scotland. Author of thefamous Whisky Galore! novel (1947). 6Ian Maclarenwas the pseudonym of Rev John Watson(1850–1907), a Presbyterian Minister inLiverpool. A popular preacher and raconteur,Watson was persuaded by an astute criticto publish collections of nostalgic fictionsbased on his first charge at Logiealmond inPerthshire. These proved to be bestsellersin what came to be known as the Kailyardtradition. 26John MacLean(1879–1923), essayist, journalist, politicalthinker, teacher, activist and Communistdelegate for Scotland appointed by Lenin.47Sorley MacLean(1911–96), Gaelic poet, translated his ownwork into English, most profoundly movingin the sequence of love poems, Dain doEimhir (1943), and in ‘Hallaig’. 14 15 41Robert McLellan(1907–85), playwright, poet, story-writer,long-term resident of the island of Arran,author of the Scots-language Linmill Stories(1977), set in the beautiful orchard valley ofthe river Clyde. 50Donald MacLeod(c.1790s?–c.1860s?), Highland crofter,reporter, memoirist and political thinker,author of Gloomy Memories (1857), themost searing contemporary account of theHighland Clearances. 16Mary Macleod/ Mairi Nighean Alasdair Ruaidh (c.1615–1707), Gaelic poet, born in Rodel, Harris,and buried there, at St Clement’s Kirk.Notable for using vernacular languageand idioms in courtly praise-songs andevocations of heroic ideals. 751