Writer, Filmmaker, Mother, Grandmother
I was nine years old when my granny died, but I vividly recall her funeral on Rathlin Island. My dad and, his brothers, carried Granny's coffin from the chapel down church brae to the cemetery at the church at the bottom of the hill, facing the sea. Back then, that journey was referred to as… Continue reading An island tradition; the beauty of saying farewell
It's been six months since we lost our mum. To the day. The 19th is a date that will sting for evermore. But although I say six months, it was longer in many ways. Jackie Kay, in Darling, writes: When smaller than her self,she seemed already to be leaving This line doesn't reference dementia, but… Continue reading “When smaller than her self”
Carol Ann Duffy wrote a beautiful poem, The Way My Mother Speaks, and the opening is stunning - I say her phrases to myselfin my heador under the shallows of my breath,restful shapes moving. Recently, I've been thinking about the way my mother speaks. Before her words come to me, I experience an odd feeling,… Continue reading The Way My Mother Lived
I love July. As a child growing up in Glasgow, July signified the start of the school holidays and the month we travelled to Ireland to see our grandparents on Rathlin Island. It has rooted me in the island and the tastes, sights and smells of this special month. The summer month. Sadly, my grandparents… Continue reading July is summer.
Today marks 15 years since former Celtic player and manager, Tommy Burns, died. He was just 51 years old. He was an incredible man who loved his family, his Catholic faith and Celtic intensely. He also had a deep affection for Kilmarnock too! I knew Tommy as a work colleague and he was incredibly fun,… Continue reading The ‘Tommy Burns’ Times
It was lovely to be asked to write a piece for the Sunday Post today. The remit was France 98 and I wrote about my memories of watching my children watch the Scotland men's team play their opening match against Brazil. I had the absolute honour to travel to France to follow Scotland's women's team… Continue reading Hope springs eternal in football.
Last weekend, there was an extract from the opening chapter of my novel Almost Then published in the Sunday Post newspaper. Two of the central characters of the novel are twins, sister and brother Rathlin and Breacán. In the article, alongside the book extract, there's an interview with me about the extent to which twins… Continue reading Make mine a double, several times over.
Twins have always fascinated me. For a start, I am one, born twenty minutes earlier than my twin brother in the days when a twin pregnancy could be a surprise to the expectant parents. My mum and dad didn't know the wee bundle of joy they were waiting for was in fact double trouble until… Continue reading An Easter blessing for the future.
The 1st of April might be April Fools Day (traditionally known as Gowk Day in Scotland) but after all the frivolities of the pre-midday pranks why not grab a chair and a glass and join me to celebrate the publication day of Almost Then. I can't promise fools errand gowk (cuckoo) hunting in costume, but… Continue reading Gowk Day Launch Party
I'm delighted to announce that Linen Press has signed my second novel, Almost Then, and will publish it in early 2021. Almost Then belongs to twin sister and brother Rathlin and Breacàn Doherty. Despite their closeness, the twins have carved out lives in isolation of one other, having reacted differently to the same childhood tragedy. They… Continue reading ‘Almost Then’ to be published in early 2021.
Margot McCuaig 