Family, Ireland, Island life, Writing

Notes of an ordinary life

On autumnal days, the sun folds into itself. Its exit leaves me wondering if I’m a stranger in my home. In a single turn of my wrist, I shift from shielding my eyes from the intense glare flooding the window, to turning on the lamp. It tuts at being forced into work so early in… Continue reading Notes of an ordinary life

Ireland, Island life, Women, Writing

Time for a story

Delighted to say my prizewinning story Keel is now available to read online in issue 38 of Impspired Magazine. The physical book version of the collection of wonderful stories and poetry will be published in January 2027. There's some lovely work in the issue so grab and cuppa, shut off the world (although to be… Continue reading Time for a story

Women, Women in Sport, Writing

Watching Women Win!

An announcement below about a brilliant book I am honoured to be writing for Glasgow City FC! Watching Women Win - The Story of the Women who Built Scotland’s Most Successful Football Club, is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. It is the story of two incredible women who have consistently broken down gender… Continue reading Watching Women Win!

Family, Health, Ireland, Island life, Women, Writing

Short story winner!

I'm delighted to say that my short story Keel, an abridged narrative drawn from my as yet unpublished novel of the same name, has been announced as the trophy winner of the Impsired Soundwaves writing competition. The story is about female friendship and male coercive control and I will be performing it at a showcase… Continue reading Short story winner!

Family, Women in Sport, Writing

Another generation will have hope spring eternal, their faces uncharted by disaster

This is an article I wrote for the Sunday Post back in 2021. As Scotland men prepare to play their first match of the 2026 World Cup it is very relevant indeed! When I was growing up, Scotland was going to win the World Cup. Fact. Ally MacLeod told me. I had no reason not… Continue reading Another generation will have hope spring eternal, their faces uncharted by disaster

Family, Ireland, Island life, Writing

The East Light, BBC Radio 4

I made a documentary for BBC Radio 4. It's an autoethnographical piece, written and recorded on Rathlin Island, where my father was born, and where his remains now rest alongside my mother. The documentary is called The East Light. Here's the blurb: Margot McCuaig visits The East Light, a lighthouse on Rathlin which holds memories… Continue reading The East Light, BBC Radio 4

PhD life, Women, Writing

Dr. Margot McCuaig

The day finally came; my PhD qualification has been awarded!! This is the final update in my PhD journey. It's a strange feeling... euphoria, obviously, and also an incredible sense of achievement for a working-class girl who was the first in her family to go to university. Three degrees and thirty years later and I… Continue reading Dr. Margot McCuaig