Back in March I wrote about our sister city Asheville, North Carolina (here), and the bestselling American novelist and Asheville resident, Elizabeth Kostova, who was here in Birnam and Dunkeld on a two-month writing residency.
Last week, before she returned home, Elizabeth talked to me about her writing career, the residency, the novelty of living somewhere where you can get about on foot, and what her time in Scotland has meant to her. Listen to our conversation here …
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Next Thursday, 7th May, is Scottish parliamentary election day. In discussion with the publishers, Scotland Street Press, it seemed a fitting day to publish the paperback edition of my biography of my great-great-uncle, Don Roberto: the Adventure of Being Cunninghame … Continue reading
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Stromness on Sunday is quiet. Very quiet. In another era one might imagine the whole town to be at prayer. The cobbled main steet is deserted. We glimpse the harbour in splashes of vivid blue at the bottom of wynds … Continue reading
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It’s been a strange couple of weeks. I know we’re past the equinox, but it feels as if we’re still under its influence. It’s a time of balance between light and darkness, but often also a time of meteorological chaos. … Continue reading
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This time five years ago, in the weeks leading up to the Scottish Parliament elections of May 2021, I made a series of short videos arguing the case for an independent Scotland. I felt driven to it, more than anything … Continue reading
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In a city centre park in Asheville, North Carolina, there is a signpost with markers indicating six Sister Cities around the world. One of these points to Dunkeld and Birnam (3808 miles). I live there. Dunkeld and Birnam is not … Continue reading
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When my old friend and host at last week’s wedding, Pramod Bhasin, returned to India from the US, in the early 1990s, it was to open offices for GE Capital, the financial arm of General Electric, then the world’s largest … Continue reading
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It all began last night with a large party in a central Delhi hotel. There were several hundred guests, a famous band and dancing. This was Sangeet, the first of a number of events to celebrate the wedding of my … Continue reading
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Thirty years ago this coming week, Sarah and I were on a short break in the Lake District. We had been together for ten years, we were living in a beautiful place, our respective careers were fulfilling, the children, aged … Continue reading
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Music is on my mind. Making, not listening. In truth, it’s seldom far away, but right now it’s more than usually present. I’ve spent the morning trying to figure out set lists for a concert in May at our local … Continue reading
The story of Jamie's extraordinary great-great-uncle. Published June 2023 by Scotland Street Press.
Making a deeper connection with words - the acclaimed creative writing programme
12 chapters, 12 authors, the collective wisdom from 15 years of running courses around the world
A masterclass in business writing and communication from John Simmons and Jamie Jauncey.
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A Few Kind Words 