The story of Hugh MacDiarmid and Valda in Whalsay continues to inspire nearly a century on.
Hear from MacDiarmid scholars about the Grieves’ time on Whalsay, their surviving correspondence, and their lasting impact on Shetland.
We'll be joined by Colin McIlroy of NLS; Professor Patrick Crotty and Professor Alan Riach, both renowned experts on Hugh MacDiarmid; and Alex Linklater, known for his extensive biographical and critical work on MacDiarmid.
Our guest speakers:
Dr Colin McIlroy is Curator of Modern Literary Manuscripts at the National Library of Scotland and will chair the discussion. His work focuses on twentieth-century and contemporary Scottish literary archives.
Alexander Linklater is a journalist, editor and author, and is currently writing the authorised biography of Christopher Murray Grieve, Antagonist: The Life Behind Hugh MacDiarmid.
Professor Patrick Crotty is Emeritus Professor of Irish and Scottish Literature at the University of Aberdeen and one of the foremost authorities on the poetry of Hugh MacDiarmid. His three-volume edition of MacDiarmid's complete collected poems is forthcoming.
Professor Alan Riach is Professor of Scottish Literature and an acclaimed scholar of twentieth-century literature, with an international career spanning Scotland and New Zealand.
This event is part of a series of three taking place on Saturday 20 June to celebrate the Outwith exhibition. Book all three events and receive 25% off — the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.