Writing.

Stories, poems and other writing from Glasgow writers.

Neon Dreaming at Glasgow Film Festival 2025 review by Pat Byrne

Neon Dreaming is written and directed by Marie-Claire Marcotte It is the story of an eight year old girl, Billie (Maélya Boyd), who lives with her father and grandmother and is preoccupied by thoughts of her absent mother. She treasures a photograph of a ballet dancer, whom she believes is her mum.When she has to […]

Read the full article: Neon Dreaming at Glasgow Film Festival 2025 review by Pat Byrne

Mistress Dispeller at Glasgow Film Festival review by Pat Byrne

Mistress Dispeller

I ‘m not sure that it will catch on here! Mistress Dispellers are hired in China as undercover professionals,  their job it is to intervene when a partner is cheating on a spouse, bring the affair to an end and repair the damage done to relationships. Elizabeth Lo’s documentary has full consent of the three […]

Read the full article: Mistress Dispeller at Glasgow Film Festival review by Pat Byrne

On Falling, Glasgow Film Festival 2025 review by Pat Byrne

On Falling

Laura Carreira is a Portuguese filmmaker based in Edinburgh. ‘On Falling’, her debut drama, has deservedly already won awards: the Sutherland Award for Best Debut at BFI London Film Festival 2024 and Best Director at San Sebastian Film Festival 2024. The film follows the life of Aurora (Joana Santos), a migrant worker, who works as […]

Read the full article: On Falling, Glasgow Film Festival 2025 review by Pat Byrne

Tornado – Glasgow Film Festival 2025 review by Pat Byrne

Tornado

The World Premiere of ‘Tornado’ will be screened at the Opening Gala, Glasgow Film Festival 26 February, 2025. Director John Maclean’s exciting survival thriller is set in 1790s UK.  Tornado (Kōki,) is a young Japanese woman travelling with her father (Takehiro Hira) – both are performers in his Samurai puppet show.  When she seizes the […]

Read the full article: Tornado – Glasgow Film Festival 2025 review by Pat Byrne

Transatlantic Sessions – Celtic Connections 2025 review by Pauline Keightley

transatlantic sessions

Transatlantic Sessions is always such a classy, sophisticated concert with the excellent transatlantic band and top notch singers! The celebrating their 30th year!. Transatlantic Sessions explores the musical connections between Scotland, Ireland and America. In 2025 Ireland was represented by Niall McCabe and John Doyle. Scotland by Julie Fowlis, Aly Bain, Donald Shaw, John McCusker […]

Read the full article: Transatlantic Sessions – Celtic Connections 2025 review by Pauline Keightley

Sunday, February 23, 2025 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Pauline Keightley

Dead Dog Beach by Paul Murdoch review by Mary Irvine

Dead Dog Beach

And now for something completely different! A genre I don’t usual read, let alone review. Dead Dog Beach – ‘A must-read for fans of suspense, dark humour, and fast-paced thrillers’ The novel I’m reviewing this time is ‘Dead Dog Beach’ by Paul Murdoch. I’ve read it twice and enjoyed it as much, if not more […]

Read the full article: Dead Dog Beach by Paul Murdoch review by Mary Irvine

Lake Street Dive at Old Fruitmarket Celtic Connections 2025 

Lake Streert Dive

Review by Pauline Keightley The packed indie crowd were ready to party and they were not disappointed! Lake Street Dive blend an original mix of Fleetwood Mac harmonies and Stevie Wonder rhythms. An interesting mix. With good times tempo drawing on Americana and jazz-infused soul – from Tennessee blues to New York sophistications. The band […]

Read the full article: Lake Street Dive at Old Fruitmarket Celtic Connections 2025 

Wednesday, February 12, 2025 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Celtic Connections 2025, Pauline Keightley

Reciprocal Systems of Health in the Climate Era – Exhibition at Advanced Research Centre, University of Glasgow

Designing Future Experiences – University of Glasgow (ARC) Review by Pat Byrne Jim and I went along to the launch of this fantastic exhibition at ARC.  Glasgow School of Art design students look to the future; exploring what health might look like in 1935.  The focus of the exhibition is the result of Product Design […]

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tell it slant at Locavore

group tell it slant

Review Pat Byrne, February, 2025 Carla Woodburn and Christie Williamson were the hosts at a very enjoyable night of poetry and music – Express Yourself, Tell It Slant at Locavore on Glasgow’s South Side. Locavore has a long association with tell it slant – back in April, 2014 the poetry bookshop of that name opened […]

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Blue Rose Code. John Martyn Tribute at Celtic Connections 2025

Blue Rose Code

Review and Photography by Pauline Keightley Blue Rose Code is led by Ross Wilson, who was on top form and gave an assured and joyous performance of his heartfelt and rhythmic songs. They are a top quality band and were celebrating their sixth studio album. Their influences include folk, Americana, jazz, soul and contemporary. The […]

Read the full article: Blue Rose Code. John Martyn Tribute at Celtic Connections 2025

Winter a poem by Nina Quigley

crow

Winter and the planet grieves. Distended wide-eyed rivers watch the Earth give up its secrets. A crop of roadside wreaths and crosses tells a litany of violent death. Here the trees in all their woundedness, ivy-choked souls, redundant severed limbs. Here the huddled blinking homes, blunt-hearted hedges. There’s word of Christmas, swathes of moss deck […]

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Saturday, December 21, 2024 | Filed under: Writing, Writing for the Festive Season

Hallowe’en – A Bygone Theme by Pat Byrne

dad black and white cropped

‘Mum, Anna and me have got an idea for Hallowe’en,’ said Catherine. ‘Okay. Tell me about it.’ ‘We’ve got it all planned. It’s going to be a bygone theme,’ said Anna. ‘Auntie Mary says she can lend us stuff. She’s got a trunk in her loft full of vintage clothes that she’s kept like forever.’ […]

Read the full article: Hallowe’en – A Bygone Theme by Pat Byrne

Thursday, October 31, 2024 | Filed under: Hallowe'en in Glasgow, Pat's Home Page Blog, Stories for Hallowe'en, Writing

Two Poems For Hallowe’en by Finola Scott

fireside pixabat y

Darkening So the darkness approaches. I could talk          of enveloping black          of the rip and reveal of the veil          of stripped furrows & iron earth          of barren trees, growth numbed          of days blink-blind short    […]

Read the full article: Two Poems For Hallowe’en by Finola Scott

Tuesday, October 29, 2024 | Filed under: stories and poems, Stories for Hallowe'en

Trick or Treat by Freya O’Neill

trick or treat

A Story for Hallowe’en “That’s enough!,” Lacey shouted down the hallway. It was Halloween night and her little brothers had just returned from trick-or-treating, filled to the brim with excitement and of course, sweets. 8-year-olds and sugar shouldn’t mix. She heard the tremendous thumping of feet entering the house, giggles flooding the air. She looked […]

Read the full article: Trick or Treat by Freya O’Neill

Sunday, October 27, 2024 | Filed under: Hallowe'en in Glasgow, Stories for Hallowe'en, Writing

Whispers from the Shadows 

haunted house

A Scary Hallowe’en Story for Young Adults by Sian O’Neill (aged 13) In a shadowy little town Hallowe’en was the one night of the year when rumours of the supernatural whispered through the air. As the sun fell below their field of view, a group of four friends, dressed up in costumes, dared each other […]

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Monday, October 21, 2024 | Filed under: stories and poems, Stories for Hallowe'en, Writing

Parcels – a poem by Basia Palka

parcels image

Basia Palka More about Basia – read more of her poetry Jim and Pat’s West End Chat – Pat chats to Basia Palka  Basi chats about the Polish Community, her poetry and fundraising for Huntington’s Association 

Read the full article: Parcels – a poem by Basia Palka

Story for Hallowe’en – The Denny Tank Ghost

maritime museum

The tap, tap of a walking stick, the smell of cigar smoke, the clanking of keys in the lock of a door no longer there. Only sounds and smells. But everyone knows who it is. Mr. Peter Denny Jr., probably the best known ghost in Dumbarton. There is actually disagreement over which Denny boss haunts […]

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Hallowe’en by Georgina Edward

day of the dead

Hallowe’en Many traditions associated with this celebration  are considered to be modern introductions, some  even claim American imports*. But Hallowe’en was celebrated long before the USA came into being. Samhain (pronounced (sow’inn) has been celebrated in Britain for centuries and has its origin in Celtic traditions as the Feast of the Dead, also observed as […]

Read the full article: Hallowe’en by Georgina Edward

Wednesday, October 16, 2024 | Filed under: stories and poems, Stories for Hallowe'en, Writing

The Nightway Man by Michael Tess

tent

A Story for Hallowe’en In July sore heat, mother and Sheila pitched the tent. Sheila drank water from a bottle. ‘We can top up at the stream,’ said mother. ‘I hear it.’ She shared the bottle. Tucked her vest into her shorts. ‘How did you know it was there?’ ‘We camped here before.’ ‘When.’ ‘Your […]

Read the full article: The Nightway Man by Michael Tess

Saturday, October 12, 2024 | Filed under: Pat's Home Page Blog, Stories for Hallowe'en

Storytelling for Adults, Mary Edward – Blending Fact and Fiction review Pat Byrne

mary edward

In June I caught the train down to Alexandria to see Mary Edward at Storytelling for Adults – very enjoyable events showcasing local writers. I have long admired Mary Edward’s writing, in particular I enjoyed ‘Gallowgate’, published in 2022. This is the story of the struggle and survival of the O’Donnell sisters, two young Irishwomen […]

Read the full article: Storytelling for Adults, Mary Edward – Blending Fact and Fiction review Pat Byrne

Melancholia by Nina Quigley

melancholia

Nina Quigley is a poet, writer and visual artist who lives in Inishowen, Co. Donegal. Melancholia was published by Three Dancing Oaks Publishing in 2023. Here are a few poems from the collection that I particularly enjoyed: That Thing With Feathers A woman, with distance in her eyes, a porcelain reticence in her cheeks, heard […]

Read the full article: Melancholia by Nina Quigley

Sunday, June 30, 2024 | Filed under: Pat's Home Page Blog, writers, Writing

The Buttery, A True Glasgow Institution, review by Pat Byrne

the buttery

The Buttery – A True Glasgow Institution The Buttery, 652 Argyle St, Glasgow G3 8UF The Buttery, established in 1870, describes itself as a ‘true Glasgow institution’ and is thought to be Glasgow’s oldest culinary establishment. Tucked away in a corner of Anderston it’s unlikely to attract passing trade but this much loved restaurant has […]

Read the full article: The Buttery, A True Glasgow Institution, review by Pat Byrne

Mika and Me Optical Studios – Exclusive Chanel Event

chanel event at mika and me

Tonight I enjoyed another very special event at Mika and Me. I took the opportunity to go along to their optical studio on Park Road to have a look at the new range of Chanel glasses and sunglasses on show exclusively at Mika and Me for one night only. The eyewear was stunning and the […]

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Thursday, June 6, 2024 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Eyecare, Pat's Home Page Blog, Shopping

Glasgow Writers: Willy Maley

willy maley partick

Willy Maley, Professor of Renaissance Studies at the University of Glasgow; literary critic, editor, lecturer and writer. Willy Maley – Celebration of his Career  – 24 May, 2024 Calliberations: A Celebration of Willy Maley For a number of years I’ve been crossing paths with Willy Maley, not because I have a particular interest in literature from […]

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Sunday, May 12, 2024 | Filed under: writers

Ashlyn’s 18th at Topolabamba, Glasgow

ashlyn and birthday cake

Saturday, 14th April, 2024 Topolabamba, 89 St Vincent Street, Glasgow G2 5TF On Saturday I went into town to help celebrate my greatniece Ashlyn Young’s 18th birthday. The planning had taken a great deal of thought, finding a lovely restaurant that could cater for 20 plus customers on a Saturday night. Ideally somewhere located near […]

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Saturday, April 13, 2024 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Street Food Glasgow

Close Range Coulport – poem by Finola Scott

finola scott red top

Finola Scott, will be performing alongside other poets, Hugh McMillan, Stuart Paterson and Chrys Salt at Peace Poetry Night – a Burns Night Fundraiser for Nuclear Disarmament.  Host: Gerry Loose. Thursday 25 January, 2024 at The Renfield Centre Glasgow Book tickets

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Alan Sharp and From Greenock to Hollywood at the Glasgow Film Theatre

greenock to hollywood

by Dave Manderson Recently I brought out a book about Alan Sharp, the first to trace his career and life from start to end. It came out in April this year. Shortly afterwards I asked the Glasgow Film Theatre if they’d put on a season of Alan’s films, and now I’m curating four of the […]

Read the full article: Alan Sharp and From Greenock to Hollywood at the Glasgow Film Theatre

To See Ourselves – film about the lead up to the Scottish Referendum in 2014

to see ourselves

(To See Ourselves is screening at CCA, Glasgow 16 March, 2024) In the run up to the referendum in 2014, Jane McAllister, filmmaker, New Licht Film, spent many hours following her dad, Fraser, around Musselburgh as he threw himself wholeheartedly into the campaign for Scottish Independence. It was not Jane’s initial intention to make a […]

Read the full article: To See Ourselves – film about the lead up to the Scottish Referendum in 2014

Monday, September 25, 2023 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Cinema, Pat's Home Page Blog

Mary Irvine’s Blog: The Magic Scales by Paul Murdoch

the magic scales

I recently met with author Paul Murdoch , who is asthmatic, to talk about his latest publication ‘The Magic Scales’. Living with asthma “At four years old I remember rolling down a grassy hill on a summer’s day. I tried to take a breath, but I couldn’t. This carried on throughout my childhood. Sometimes I […]

Read the full article: Mary Irvine’s Blog: The Magic Scales by Paul Murdoch

Cast A Cold Eye – Robbie Morrison

cast a cold eye

Review by Pat Byrne In 2021 Edge of the Grave by Robbie Morrison was Bloody Scotland Debut Prize winner. His follow up novel, Cast a Cold Eye, sees him one of the four McIlvanney Prize finalists at Bloody Scotland 2023. With another novel set in Glasgow in the 1930s we again meet up with Inspector […]

Read the full article: Cast A Cold Eye – Robbie Morrison

Thursday, September 14, 2023 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events

cast a cold eye

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