The Greek-Australian Writers' Festival proved to be one of the most successful events of this year's 41st Greek Festival of Sydney, focusing intently on Australian author Charmian Clift and highlighting the impact their writing had in describing life on two islands.
LAST week I said I would be writing about the early years of the Union after 1707 and telling the untold story – never mentioned by the Unionists – of how that Union nearly collapsed and was quickly recognised as a disastrous deal for Scotland, even by those who had helped to bring it about. I crave your indulgence and I will definitely return to the subject next week, but when you receive a cry for help from one of Scotland’s greatest modern-day cultural figures, I have to respond, so please consider this an emergency column to right a perceived wrong. For tomorrow is the bicentenary of the birth of Màiri Mhòr nan Òran, Great (or big) Mary of the Songs, a truly influential songstress and a towering presence in Gaelic culture. Màiri Mhòr was so-called because she was literally big being 5’ 9” tall and latterly quite rotund.
Obituary: William Ferguson, respected Scottish historian and author scotsman.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from scotsman.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.