There is a New Literary Hotspot And it’s in Scotland.

Posted on May 9, 2025 by Frostie

Is there something in the water? I think so. My birthplace, Lanarkshire has produced an impressive number of authors. From Shuggie Bain author Douglas Stuart, and won the Booker Prize, and Elissa Soave, author of Ginger and Me. Elissa sets her books in Lanarkshire. Her brilliant, new, novel, Graffiti Girls, is set in Hamilton. It’s a fantastic book.

Lanarkshire is a historical county in Scotland that includes Glasgow and the surrounding areas. Lanarkshire is the heart of the central lowlands of Scotland. It’s a beautiful place with a lot of culture and music.

Former Guardian journalist, Deborah Orr, who sadly died in twenty nineteen, wrote her acclaimed memoir, Motherwell. It is all about the industrial town she grew up in. The book was a huge hit. I also note that Andrew O’Hagan, author of Sunday Times bestseller, Caledonian Road (set in London) and three times Booker Prize nominee was born in Glasgow.

I grew up in the Scottish Borders and moved back to Lanarkshire as a teen. I spent a lot of my youth in Glasgow, Motherwell, and Strathclyde Park. Lanarkshire is a literary hotspot, churning out fantastic writers. Here is a short list: Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, Niall Ferguson, Liz Lochhead, Alasdair Gray, Damian Barr, Graeme Armstrong and Julie Kennedy.

Then there is me. Catherine Yardley, author of Ember and Where The Light is Hottest. Who also writes as Catherine Balavage. Where The Light is Hottest is partly set in Lanarkshire. The county may be cold, but it’s having its time in the sun. I have lived in London most of my adult life and consider myself a Londoner now, but a part of my heart will always belong to Lanarkshire. My family still live there and I visit. I can’t wait for the next author for Lanarkshire to publish their work.

Where The Light is Hottest is available now in paperback, ebook and kindle unlimited.

Travel thoughts: Christmas markets

Posted on November 20, 2019 by sam stone

I lived in France for ten years where the Christmas hype started much later and was much more low key. So for me, the Christmas markets signify the beginning of the festive period. Being cocooned by the closeness of the beautifully decorated stalls, almost suffocated by the homely aroma of vin chaud and heartened by the promise of melted cheese on bread, was an event worth attending even if I didn’t have a shopping agenda.

A tradition which originated in Germany in the late middle ages to mark the four weeks of Advent, the popularity of the Christmas market soon filtered through Europe to Switzerland, France, Italy and Spain. Surprisingly, even though local markets have occupied a place on the town squares of England for many years, the extravagant English Christmas fayres of the past didn’t return to our cities until the 1990s. Banned by the puritan leaders of Cromwell’s reign for being, an icon of a wasteful festival that threatened Christian beliefs and encouraged immoral activities, Christmas markets in all their glory took a long time to re-emerge. Festive products and foodstuffs eventually found their way back onto the English market stalls in the Victorian era. And thankfully now the dedicated Christmas markets of the past are once again popping up all over the country offering an abundance of tempting treats handmade gifts and a chance to meet the maker.

More popular than ever, festive markets are now regular events in the larger cities of Scotland (Edinburgh & Glasgow), Wales (Cardiff ) and England (London, Manchester, Leeds & Birmingham). Smaller towns and country estates have also eagerly adopted the unique yuletide shopping opportunity. York, Bath and Blenheim Palace are amongst the most popular heritage sites to make use of their elegant architecture as backdrops for complex projections, spectacular light manifestations and laser displays to wow the shoppers as they browse the stalls for festive goodies.

The best Christmas markets still take place within the leading countries of Europe. Cultural styles dominate the handcrafted objects on sale, varying the design of the jewellery, ceramics, and toys from region to region. The geographical differences don’t stop there, the choirs, the minstrels and vibrancy of the dancers who entertain the crowds all vary dramatically too.

Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Nuremberg still attract the highest numbers of visitors every year and are the biggest Christmas markets. Hot Bratwurst and gallons of beer are amongst the tempting treats at the german street stalls. Further east, roasted hams and hot sugar-coated cake entices shoppers to the markets in Prague. In Bologna, it’s festive nougat made with almonds and honey that is a winner with the crowds. However diverse the flavours may be, there is always one tempting aroma that dominates – roasted chestnuts. And just writing about it is putting me in the festive mood, which reminds me, I must buy some more cinnamon!

West End of Glasgow by Mary Cooper

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Frostie

I have lived in a village overlooking Glasgow most of my life but somehow I have managed to bypass the West End a part of Glasgow which once attracted rich merchants who built magnificent mansions and, later, the characteristic terraced houses which are the pride of Glasgow.

I had arranged to meet Anne, a friend of many years, outside Saint Enoch’s underground station in the heart of Glasgow, and a noisy ride later we emerged into the West End,

On a warmer day we might have stopped to admire the architecture but we were drawn like moths towards the brightly lit shop windows – all just a stone’s throw from the grand glass structures of the botanical gardens.

We managed to resist till we reached ‘Time & Tide’: this shop window we found irresistible . There was so much to see and everything beautifully presented. At one point we decided that we should just move in or at least the owner could adopt us. The owner laughed; she thought we were joking.

In the end we had to be satisfied with buying some candles and Anne promised to come back another day to look again at some blue velvet dining chairs.

Outside in the darkening streets we were halted by the sight of a beautiful church lit up like a Christmas tree. It was the ‘Oran Mor’, which means ‘Great Melody of Life’.

Oran Mor was once Kelvinside’s parish church but is now a cultural centre; a place which demonstrates the best of the City, where you can wine, dine and be entertained by music and theatre. The order of the day is: ‘a pie, a pint and a play’.

Glasgow artist and writer Alasdair Gray was commissioned to paint the ceiling in the bar.

and everywhere you look in the plethora of nooks and crannies, there are glimpses of works by local artists, past and present.

http://oran-mor.co.uk

Across the street, in tranquil gardens, above the terraced houses of Kelvinside, are the great glass structures of the Botanical Gardens.

The Gardens started life in humbler surroundings on the edge of the city. Thomas Hopkirk, a renowned Glasgow botanist, supplied a nucleus of 3000 plants in 1817 but by 1839 it had expanded so much that it had to be relocated to its present position.

After the cold dampness of a Scottish winter, the warmth of the steamy glass houses was very welcome.

At last, as the street lights began to twinkle, we made our way to Jinty McGinty’s pub and restaurant for a glass of wine and a late lunch before heading home, with a promise to meet soon and continue our exploration of this bohemian paradise.

image 12

https://peoplemakeglasgow.com/discover/districts/districts-west-end

Neilston War Memorial By Mary Cooper

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Margaret Graham

There is a village near Glasgow which, one hundred years after the event, is erecting a monument to the war dead. Some think it is too much, that we don’t need this monstrosity to remind us.

But memory is fallible and we are, after all, only human and, in times of war, are capable of terrible deeds, mostly driven by fear. Those who have lived through war will have seen the worst that we can be. The first world war is a perfect example: bloody battles, torture and not least the terrible hardship our fathers, husbands, brothers and sons had to endure in the trenches and tunnels which became home as war dragged on; terror, horror and boredom in equal measure while, at home, mothers, wives, sisters and daughters pulled together to keep everything running so that those who came back when it was all over would know that the sacrifices had been worth everything.

The monument is well under way and should be ready by the summer of this year; we stood in the rain and biting wind last Sunday and watched the first stone being laid. A lone piper played a melancholy drone as we stood huddled while the speeches were given; the cold wind driving the needles of rain into our faces stinging our eyes, a stark reminder of what those men in the trenches had had to endure, not only for ten minutes but for months at a time in the bloody fields of battle.

We retired to the cafe afterwards for a warm drink, rubbing our cold hands and wiping the tears from our eyes; not so for those gallant men, there had been no respite from the bitter wind of war.

It is going to be the grandest thing in the village, some think too grand. But I believe it should be grand just as the sacrifices were and still are, something to stand out so that people passing will stop and take notice, read the names of those who died to keep us safe and remember that they are the reason we live the lives that we live, free and safe.

Freedom is a hard fought battle which never ends. The monument will be built, lest we forget.

Scottish Music Awards Take Centre Stage In Glasgow

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Frostie

After an incredible year of major international events in Glasgow, including the MTV EMA, the Scottish Music Awards will round off 2014’s year long celebration of sport and culture in the city on Saturday November 29th at the Old Fruitmarket.

Held annually by the charity Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland, the exciting ceremony is their main source of funding, and promises its usual mix of inspirational and moving recognition for the vitally important work the charity delivers across the country, presented alongside performances and the coveted Tartan Clef awards for some of Scotland’s top musicians.

Previous years have seen Scottish favourites Twin Atlantic, Camera Obscura, Mogwai, Biffy Clyro, Deacon Blue, Barbara Dickson, songwriter John Reid, Emeli Sandé and Paolo Nutini honoured for their work among others; and stand out live performances from Edinburgh born pop star Nina Nesbitt, and a rare performance from Shirley Manson and Martin Metcalfe who were reunited on stage for the first time in 20 years at 2013’s event.

Since its debut in 2011, the PEOPLE MAKE GLASGOW Special Recognition Award has also shone a sparkling spotlight on the charity’s heroes from Howford school head teacher Karen Mathieson to violinist Nicola Benedetti. Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, will present the award on the night.

Nordoff Robbins Scotland uses the power of music to improve the lives of over 400 children and adults isolated by disability, trauma or illness every week.

The charity needs £600,000 each year to operate, with every note raised in Scotland, staying in Scotland. The charity is grounded in the belief that everyone can respond to music, no matter how ill or disabled. The unique qualities of music as therapy can enhance communication, support change, and enable people to live more resourcefully and creatively.

Music therapy represents a relatively new force in contemporary music which has established roots all over the globe over the past few decades. The Nordoff Robbins approach has played a pivotal role in this development.

It is named after its co-creators, Clive Robbins and Paul Nordoff who teamed up in 1959. Clive was a British special needs teacher and Paul was an American composer. Through musical improvisation, they pioneered an extraordinary new way of reaching and engaging children who had additional support needs.

In the 1960s and 70s they toured many parts of the world demonstrating their work, leaving groups of followers wherever they went. After Nordoff’s death in 1977, Robbins continued to champion the cause of music therapy, maintaining an active practice, teaching and lecturing until he was well into his 80s. He died in 2011, having inspired and captivated audiences worldwide with his life-transforming work in music.

Celebrating 18 years of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland, November 29th 2014 will see some of Scotland’s top musicians; media and music industry join forces to raise awareness of and money for the charity with raffle and auctions donated from businesses across the country – for a full list of donations please click here.

Glasgow has a worldwide reputation for producing and launching some of the world’s greatest musicians from Oasis’ now legendary performance at King Tut’s to previous award winners Edwyn Collins of Orange Juice, Wet Wet Wet and Sharleen Spiteri of Texas to name but a few. The Award’s home city is regarded by Time Magazine as “Europe’s Secret Capital of Music”, with the city hosting on average 130 music events every week (more than any other Scottish city), which generate millions for the city’s economy each year.

The Scottish Music Awards is a celebration of the massive strength, and huge diversity, of Scotland’s internationally successful and renowned music industry.

For more information on Scotland’s only music therapy charity please visit

www.nordoffrobbinsscotland.org.uk or to make a donation please visit http://www.justgiving.com/nrmt or call 01506 239578.

Keep up to date at www.facebook.com/nordoffrobbinsscotland and on Twitter at @NRScot

Text MMCL14 to 70070 to donate anything up to £10

Stephanie Manns Come Closer Album Review

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

My first thought on Stephanie Manns album is how cool the actual CD is; it is designed like a vinyl record. Pretty cool. Next up is how upbeat and happy the album is. Starting with the optimistic and happy ‘Follow You’, singer/songwriter Stephanie Manns has made a truly impressive debut album. She has a beautiful voice and a talent for songwriting. She writes wonderfully heartfelt lyrics.

Country, Americana and folk artist inspired; the use of guitar and ukulele really adds to the (mostly) upbeat tracks. The album is 10 tracks long and there is not even one dud song. An accomplished debut. Impressive.

“Without a doubt, Stephanie Manns is a singersongwriter with the raw talent, and sure promise of future success.” – Maverick Magazine

“Anthemic Americana… Catchy guitar and pristine vocals.” – Diva Magazine

Stunning Debut Album from Glasgow Based Singer-Songwriter Stephanie Manns

Multi-talented singer-songwriter Stephanie Manns has released her debut album Come Closer – a positively beautiful collection of original songs from the UK’s most exciting new country, Americana and folk artist.

From the heartfelt and optimistic tones of opening track “Follow You” to the genuinely moving missive “The Way You Want Me To” and the melancholic yet hopeful “All Over”, Come Closer is an accomplished album of exquisitely performed songs, infused with inclusive and attractive melodies, which also deeply captivates the listener through Manns’ heartwarmingly sincere lyrics.

Refining her skills on the Scottish acoustic music scene, Stephanie has supported Blues Legend Joan Armatrading, Ultravox’s Midge Ure, alt-country troubadours Ahab and Brit award winner Emeli Sandé. It was during this time that Stephanie was discovered by national arts organisation Creative Scotland, who strongly supported her cause, helping Stephanie to fund the album as an independent artist.

Manns’ songwriting has been heavily influenced by Tift Merritt, Madison Violet and Patti Griffin, which is apparent throughout the album and serves to enhance the body of work as a whole. Come Closer illuminates Manns as a brilliantly gifted artist, who writes charmingly enjoyable songs that have the ability to move a diverse array of music lovers.

Come Closer is available to buy on iTunes

www.stephaniemanns.com/

https://en-gb.facebook.com/Stephaniemannsmusic

https://twitter.com/StephanieManns

This Is Where I Am by Karen Campbell | Book Review

Posted on August 31, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

I seem to be on a bit of a winning streak when it comes to reviewing books. The last three have all been fantastic pieces of literature. This Is Where I Am is a stunning book. Definitely in my Top 10 of all time now. This story about a Somalian refugee and his daughter fleeing war and immigrating to Glasgow, and their mentor who helps them integrate into society is a book of life, reality, grief, death and hope. This makes it sound like a sad book, in many ways it is, but, like life itself, it is intertwined with happiness and the beauty of life itself, of human connection.

This book by Scottish writer Karen Campbell also made me rather homesick. Although I grew up in the Scottish Borders and have now lived in London for over seven years, it made me miss Glasgow as I lived there for a good few years. The book is also written partly in Glaswegian. You don’t have need a dictionary to read it and I quite like the poetry of it. It adds to the atmosphere of the book. Each Section is a different month and tourist place in Glasgow, with a little bit of historical facts at the beginning. To get you started on some Glaswegian here is a quick guide:

Heid – Head
Flair – Floor
Greet – Cry
Messages – Food shopping
Wee – Little
Juice – Cold drinks, not tea
Canny – can’t
Bahookie – Bottom
Tae – to

The brilliance of the book is that you see Glasgow fresh through the eyes of Abdi, the refugee, and Deborah, the Scottish woman mourning her dead husband who mentors Abdi.

The story is brilliant and the difference between white British Middle Class life and that of refugees in Somalia gives an accurate glimpse of the unfairness of life. How circumstance is all the difference between a good life and a terrible one. On the day I finished reading this book there were stories in the papers of displaced women in Somalia, proving that the travesties of war have long-term consequences.

This book is 467 pages long. It is so good I read it in a few days. This Is Where I Am can take its place as a great Scottish book, but also as a great story about human rights. A must read.

This Is Where I Am

HotelTonight, the app for last-minute hotel stays, launches new destinations

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Frostie

HotelTonight, the app for last-minute or spontaneous hotel stays,

launches new destinations in France, Italy, Spain and Mexico

HotelTonight, the first ever last-minute hotel booking app, has recently added more than fifteen new destinations to its roster of vibrant cities worldwide. This brings the total reach of the app to 12 countries and 100 destinations worldwide.

To tie in with the peak travel season in Europe, HotelTonight is adding popular European destinations, including Lille, Lyon, and Marseille in France; Barcelona, Madrid, and Malaga/Costa del Sol in Spain and Florence, Rome and Milan in Italy. The last minute hotel booking app is also offering its over five million global users new destinations in Ireland, Mexico and for those who prefer holidaying closer to home, HotelTonight has added Brighton to its list of best UK hotel deals.

This recent international expansion is part of its pledge to be ubiquitous and accessible to all last minute travellers and follows last week’s global announcement of new features including “Snap Your Stay” which allows customers to photograph and share images of their hotel with friends and other HotelTonight users, and the “HT Price Guarantee,” which guarantees its rates against competitors’ offerings.

HotelTonight is now partnering with almost 2500 hotels across the globe in the ‘hip’, ‘luxe’, ‘charming’ and ‘solid’ categories. Hotels include the stunning 5 Star The First Luxury Hotel in Rome, and the charming Palazzo Vecchietti in Florence, the Kempinski Hotel Bahia Estepona on the Costa del Sol and the hip Music Hotel in Marseille. These hotels and others across Europe are perfect for an impromptu weekend break. There are also many more hotels more on the mid to basic level which are perfectly suited to business travellers’ needs.

At the same time as adding these new destinations, the company has also expanded its European operations, relocating to a new, larger office in London’s Covent Garden and building out the team with new Country Managers for Italy and Spain.

The Hotel Tonight app offers unbeatable deals on hand-picked hotels, with bookings opening at midday and closing at 2AM. Last minute travellers can book a hotel in less than ten seconds with three taps and a swipe, starting that day for one night or more.

Visit www.hoteltonight.com for more information and to download the free app.

For staycations, in the UK, cities include Birmingham, Brighton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, London and Manchester.

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