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swottypat.bsky.social
Pat
@swottypat.bsky.social
81 followers 110 following 75 posts
SGSAH funded PhD researcher in early modern Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow.

I've been known to knit. Whiles I cook. I sometimes take pictures. But mostly I read.
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swottypat.bsky.social
Wow! I didn't know this poem, but it's jumped right into my 'favourite' list. Wow!
asls.org.uk Association for Scottish Literature @asls.org.uk · 6d
Trouble is not my middle name.
It is not what I am.
I was not born for this…

—Liz Lochhead, “Listen”
A poem written for the Children’s Panel, to encourage new voluntary members, 2012. From FUGITIVE COLOURS (Polygon, 2016)
#poem #poetry #WorldChildrensDay
birlinn.co.uk/product/fugi...
Listen by Liz Lochhead Written for the Children’s Panel, to encourage new voluntary members, 2012. Trouble is not my middle name. It is not what I am. I was not born for this. Trouble is not a place though I am in it deeper than the deepest wood and I’d get out of it (who wouldn’t?) if I could. Hope is what I do not have in hell – not without good help, now. Could you listen, listen hard and well to what I cannot say except by what I do? And when you say I do it for badness this much is true: I do it for badness done to me before any badness that I do to you. Hard to unfankle this. But you can help me. Maybe. Loosen all these knots and really listen. I cannot plainly tell you this, but, if you care, then – beyond all harm and hurt – real hope is there.
November 20, 2025 at 4:43 PM
swottypat.bsky.social
And watch this programme. It single-handedly compensates for all that's wrong with television.
asls.org.uk Association for Scottish Literature @asls.org.uk · 12d
Fishing for Poetry: A Celebration of Norman MacCaig

Aly Bain, Billy Connolly & Andrew Greig seek the Loch of the Green Corrie – with MacCaig’s poetry read by Douglas Dunn, Alasdair Gray, Seamus Heaney, Jackie Kay, Tom Leonard, Liz Lochhead & Aonghas MacNeacail
12/12
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilGV...
Billy Connolly and Aly Bain: Fishing for Poetry. A Celebration of Norman MacCaig
YouTube video by ScottishPoetryLib
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:48 PM
swottypat.bsky.social
Read this poem. It's brilliant and exemplifies all that I love about the divine Norman.
asls.org.uk Association for Scottish Literature @asls.org.uk · 12d
Norman MacCaig (1910–1996) was born #OTD, 14 November. A self-described “Zen Calvinist”, when asked how long it took him to write a poem he would reply “one cigarette – or two for a long one”

A 🎂🧵

“Toad”
THE POEMS OF NORMAN MacCAIG (Birlinn, 2009)
#poem #poetry
1/12
birlinn.co.uk/product/the-...
Toad by Norman MacCaig Stop looking like a purse. How could a purse squeeze under the rickety door and sit, full of satisfaction, in a man’s house? You clamber towards me on your four corners – right hand, left foot, left hand, right foot. I love you for being a toad, for crawling like a Japanese wrestler, and for not being frightened. I put you in my purse hand, not shutting it, and set you down outside directly under every star. A jewel in your head? Toad, you’ve put one in mine, a tiny radiance in a dark place.
November 14, 2025 at 3:47 PM
swottypat.bsky.social
Phenomenal event with Amina Shah, @damianbarr.bsky.social @louisewelsh00.bsky.social hosted by @natlibscot.bsky.social in the @kelvinhall.bsky.social all about Libraries that made me. I'm so glad to have been able to attend, for nothing, cos that's how libraries do it. Many thanks.
November 12, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Reposted by Pat
privateeyenews.bsky.social
“So we asked ourselves: how could we make the common bicycle heavier, more dangerous and, ultimately, reliant on electricity”

From the new Private Eye, in shops now.
November 12, 2025 at 12:17 PM
swottypat.bsky.social
I'm a bit late in reposting, but give us a wee follow please. There's lots of good stuff to come.
thebletherscotlit.bsky.social The Blether @thebletherscotlit.bsky.social · 27d
Introducing ‘The Blether’ 💬

The Blether is a developing idea from 4 Scot Lit PGRs @uofglasgow.bsky.social designed to highlight the work and research being carried out in Scottish Literature.

Follow us to get involved!📚✍🏼💬

#scottishliterature
#theblether
#thebletherpgr
November 11, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Reposted by Pat
asls.org.uk
The Oxfam bookshop on Glasgow’s Byres Road moved, recently, to a new location further down the hill – but I’m very pleased that they managed to take Alasdair Gray’s mural with them! I think he did this when on a break from painting the ceiling in Òran Mór …
@agrayarchive.bsky.social
A green wall. On it is a piece of another wall, cut out to encompass a mural by Alasdair Gray. On the left, a red semi-heraldic Scottish lion rampant is sitting at a table, using a laptop computer. One foot is under the table grasping a computer mouse (which resembles a real mouse, apart from the cable coming out of its nose and linking it to the laptop). A scroll of paper emerges from the laptop's screen, and the lion is using a quill pen to write on it. The scroll has handwriting on it, saying words wards wurds Scots Scottish Scotch Scoatch Caledonian The scroll rolls out of the top of the laptop screen and across the rest of the wall, becoming a banner reading SCOTTISH Books
November 7, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Reposted by Pat
sarasheridan.bsky.social
The brilliant Scottish Book Trust's Xmas campaign. Donate here:
www.scottishbooktrust.com
Scottish Book Trust
We are a national charity bringing the benefits of reading and writing to everyone in Scotland.
www.scottishbooktrust.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Reposted by Pat
socantscot.bsky.social
CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN LAUNCH: ‘Rhynie, A Powerful Place of Pictland’

Please pre-order or donate before 6 December to enable us to print this book by Professor Gordon Noble FSAScot, which will have a major impact on the study of Pictish kingship and society: www.kickstarter.com/projects/soc...
Carved standing stone in front of mountain landscape with the words Crowdfunding Campaign Launch over it
November 6, 2025 at 9:20 AM
swottypat.bsky.social
I moved house, so I got rid of soooo many books. Now I'm apparently replacing them with other unnecessary treasures.

#Saturdaybooks
#Scottishbooks
#ireadpastmybedtime
#don'tletmeoutonmyown
November 1, 2025 at 4:27 PM
swottypat.bsky.social
A diary od spiritual exercises and meditations by Prof of Divinity John Forbes. Happily mining it fir references to the National Covenant in @aberdeenunilib.bsky.social
October 29, 2025 at 8:30 AM
swottypat.bsky.social
Delighted to be visiting #Aberdeen and the Special Collections @aberdeenunilib.bsky.social
I'm being weirdly nostalgic for a town I couldn't wait to leave 20 years ago. Just sightseeing today, the campus is beautiful.
#Aberdeenuni
#Oldaberdeen
#granitecity
#itscoldupnorth
October 27, 2025 at 5:52 PM
swottypat.bsky.social
Read this poem, it's brilliant
asls.org.uk Association for Scottish Literature @asls.org.uk · Oct 25
Sssnnnwhuffffll?
Hnwhuffl hhnnwfl hnfl hfl?
Gdroblboblhobngbl gbl gl g g g g glbgl.
Drublhaflablhaflubhafgabhaflhafl fl fl…

—Edwin Morgan, “The Loch Ness Monster’s Song”
published in CENTENARY SELECTED POEMS, @carcanet.bsky.social 2020
#BookWormSat #poem #poetry
www.carcanet.co.uk/978178410996...
The Loch Ness Monster’s Song by Edwin Morgan Sssnnnwhuffffll? Hnwhuffl hhnnwfl hnfl hfl? Gdroblboblhobngbl gbl gl g g g g glbgl. Drublhaflablhaflubhafgabhaflhafl fl fl – gm grawwwww grf grawf awfgm graw gm. Hovoplodok – doplodovok – plovodokot-doplodokosh? Splgraw fok fok splgrafhatchgabrlgabrl fok splfok! Zgra kra gka fok! Grof grawff gahf? Gombl mbl bl – blm plm, blm plm, blm plm, blp.
October 25, 2025 at 2:40 PM
swottypat.bsky.social
Been looking out short stories for Monday's train journey. Erchie is Neil Munro's 'other' inspired creation, and deserves the same attention as Para Handy, imo. @birlinn.bsky.social seemed to think so too.

#Saturdaybooks
#scottishbooks
#Ireadpastmybedtime
#Birlinnpublishers
#glasgowstories
October 25, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Reposted by Pat
asls.org.uk
Pentlands Book Festival
6 Nov–3 Dec

The programme for the 2025 Pentlands Book Festival is now online!
pentlandsbookfestival.org
Pentlands Book Festival: 6 Nov - 3 Dec 2025
Running annually since 2015
pentlandsbookfestival.org
October 21, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Reposted by Pat
scotrecsoc.bsky.social
The amazing Isle of Arran Heritage Museum needs a new roof on one of its fantastic buildings! It’s a worthy cause! #Arran Please repost!
October 18, 2025 at 8:12 PM
swottypat.bsky.social
Read this poem. It's brilliant. Well, it would be.

#GottoloveMacCaig
asls.org.uk Association for Scottish Literature @asls.org.uk · Oct 18
Wanting to go,
all the leaves want to go
though they have achieved
their kingly robes.

Weary of colours,
they think of black earth,
they think of
white snow…

—Norman MacCaig, “Autumn”
in The Poems of Norman MacCaig (Birlinn, 2009)
#BookWormSat #poem #Poetry
birlinn.co.uk/2022/10/21/p...
Autumn Norman MacCaig Wanting to go, all the leaves want to go though they have achieved their kingly robes. Weary of colours, they think of black earth, they think of white snow. Stealthily, delicately as a safebreaker they unlock themselves from branches. And from their royal towers they sift silently down to become part of the proletariat of mud.
October 18, 2025 at 12:32 PM
swottypat.bsky.social
When the modern love the ancients. Working with Scottish Literature second year students on Cresseid this week sent me back to Heaney's version for no reason other than it's there, and it's rather good in its way.

#Saturdaybooks
#scottishbooks
#ireadpastmybedtime
#readmorepoetry
#makars
October 18, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Reposted by Pat
rhonabrown.bsky.social
#OTD in 1774, Edinburgh poet Robert Fergusson died in the city’s asylum for pauper lunatics at 24. Despite the tragedy, his works are full of life, laughter and satire. My new edition of his works is out next year, but for now enjoy some treats from Project Fergusson
robert-fergusson.glasgow.ac.uk
A statue of Robert Fergusson outside Edinburgh’s Canongate Kirkyard. He is not on a plinth, but walking along the street, his coattails blowing and a book in his hand. A plaque commemorating Robert Fergusson in St Giles Kirk, Edinburgh. He is in profile, looking to his right.
October 17, 2025 at 4:27 PM
swottypat.bsky.social
Read this poem. It's brilliant
asls.org.uk Association for Scottish Literature @asls.org.uk · Oct 17
Monday I found a boot –
Rust and salt leather.
I gave it back to the sea, to dance in…

—George Mackay Brown, “Beachcomber”
published in THE GOLDEN TREASURY OF SCOTTISH VERSE, @canongate.co.uk 2021
7/8
birlinn.co.uk/2021/07/13/p...
Beachcomber George Mackay Brown Monday I found a boot – Rust and salt leather. I gave it back to the sea, to dance in. Tuesday a spar of timber worth thirty bob. Next winter It will be a chair, a coffin, a bed. Wednesday a half can of Swedish spirits. I tilted my head. The shore was cold with mermaids and angels. Thursday I got nothing, seaweed, A whale bone, Wet feet and a loud cough. Friday I held a seaman’s skull, Sand spilling from it The way time is told on kirkyard stones. Saturday a barrel of sodden oranges. A Spanish ship Was wrecked last month at The Kame. Sunday, for fear of the elders, I sit on my bum. What’s heaven? A sea chest with a thousand gold coins.
October 17, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Reposted by Pat
sgsah.bsky.social
⭐️ Our 2026 internship opportunities are live! ⭐️

Check out 30+ paid internships & artist residencies for Arts & Humanities PhD researchers in Scotland.

Gain real-world experience, build skills & grow your networks with diverse partners.

🕔 Apply by 31 Oct 2025
👉 www.sgsah.ac.uk/e_t/i_ar/
October 13, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Reposted by Pat
agrayarchive.bsky.social
🎓 PhD Researchers! Apply for a 3-month paid internship with @sgsah.bsky.social exploring the Alasdair Gray archive. Creative, flexible, self-directed. Deadline: 31 Oct 2025. Open to SGSAH PhDs. www.sgsah.ac.uk/e_t/i_ar/202...
The Alasdair Gray Archive
Archival Immersion: A Self-Directed Project at The Alasdair Gray Archive
www.sgsah.ac.uk
October 12, 2025 at 9:23 AM
swottypat.bsky.social
My library book is too much for bedtime, so I went back in time. They're still amusing.
#saturdaybooks
#scottishbooks
#ireadpastmybedtime
#readaproperbook
October 11, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Reposted by Pat
bethanychristiantrust.com
We are now inviting teams and individuals to sign up as volunteers for our Caring Christmas Trees collection points across Edinburgh, Glasgow, Lothians and Fife!
💚❤️

Pick your location and sign up at https://www.caringchristmastrees.com/volunteer
Thank you!! 🎄
Volunteer | Caring Christmas Trees
Volunteer with Caring Christmas Trees at one of our collection sites.
www.caringchristmastrees.com
October 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM
swottypat.bsky.social
READ THIS POEM!
It's joyful.
asls.org.uk Association for Scottish Literature @asls.org.uk · Oct 4
Stop looking like a purse. How could a purse
squeeze under the rickety door and sit,
full of satisfaction, in a man’s house?

—Norman MacCaig, “Toad”
published in THE POEMS OF NORMAN MacCAIG (Birlinn, 2009)
#poem #poetry #BookWormSat
birlinn.co.uk/product/the-...
Toad by Norman MacCaig Stop looking like a purse. How could a purse squeeze under the rickety door and sit, full of satisfaction, in a man’s house? You clamber towards me on your four corners – right hand, left foot, left hand, right foot. I love you for being a toad, for crawling like a Japanese wrestler, and for not being frightened. I put you in my purse hand, not shutting it, and set you down outside directly under every star. A jewel in your head? Toad, you’ve put one in mine, a tiny radiance in a dark place.
October 4, 2025 at 8:23 PM