I love reading historical fiction at the location in which it is set! I highly recommend the beautiful gothic Luckenbooth by Jenni Fagan, set in Edinburgh, more specifically on The Royal Mile.

Happy International Women's Day. Alice Roosevelt was the daughter of Theodore Roosevelt and certainly lived life on her terms. Sometimes, being yourself is the most radical thing you can do.

Having a pint of 0% in great grandad's pub in Gateshead. I wonder what he'd have thought of alcohol free ales!

Family history is fascinating. Meet George Ross Sr., my great grandfather. This was taken when he was a publican in Gateshead about 110 years ago. Obviously, pulling pints and great facial hair is in my blood.

The Hirsute Historian will always aim to be entertaining, but some subjects have to be treated with due seriousness. History is often complex and shouldn't be looked at through rose-tinted lenses.

My main reason for wanting to become The Hirsute Historian! History is fascinating, but all too often, it is taught in a way that doesn't engage people. This always frustrated me at school, because outside of the classroom, I used to love visiting castles and such.

I've just been looking at some of the footage I recorded in Edinburgh this week. I'm really happy with it. I've only ever done live history talks and comedy; it's a learning curve to include filming, editing and such, but I'm pleased it looks like it's all coming together.

Back to Edinburgh today for yet more fact-finding and filming. Now a pub, The Old Tollbooth, was once a prison that features in many of the tales I'll be telling; tales of murder, witchcraft, and villainy...all the fun stuff basically! 💀⚰️🗡🧙‍♀️

What better place to grab lunch than the former workshop of the subject of a video you're working on? He was a bit of a naughty boy whose shady shenanigans inspired an enduring work of gothic horror!

Finally off to start filming for The Hirsute Historian.