� � Pride 2024 announcement �
� We are delighted to announce that for 2024 we are planning a programme of events to celebrate Pride month in June across the Highlands, including a parade in Inverness (subject to approval) on 22 June 2024. There will also be some events in July. We know how important representation and visibility of our LGBTQ+ community continues to be in the Highlands. As we’re only a small group of volunteers, mostly based in and around Inverness, we are limited in what we can organise…both in number of events and locations ... we need YOUR help! No matter where you are in the Highlands, if you are a local organisation, a group, venue owner, artist, performer etc., and would like to organise / hold a Pride event as part of our Pride 2024 programme, we’d love to hear from you. If you have an idea you’d like to pitch, or if you already have plans at your local library, school or community centre, please get in touch too. We would love to promote your events as part of the Pride programme. We hope the LGBTQ+ community across the Highlands, and our neighbouring communities, will find the programme more accessible by removing some of the geographical barriers we face. If you would like to volunteer to help us, or sponsor us or our programme, we would love to hear from you too. Please contact us on: events@highlandpride.org For more information, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions: https://highlandpride.org/faqs-2024/ #Pride24
#HighlandPride #LGBTQ+ #Festival #Highlands
Martin Compston's Norwegian Fling is on BBC Scotland
Q&A with Martin Compston and Phil MacHugh
So why Norway?
Phil: “They are our Scandi neighbours and I’ve always believed obviously being blonde and blue-eyed that I was Scandi in the first place anyway… (Martin: Are you really blonde though?)
Phil: “So it was a given that we would try Norway with my obviously Nordic roots. Aside from that they are a close neighbour. Norway has always intrigued me, they have got a similar population to Scotland; similar kind of industries, fisheries, farming and oil obviously and culturally as well there are connections. There are similarities so it was kind of like, let’s go and see what the Norwegians are like and find out
about the country, compare and contrast it with Scotland, find out how they are like us and not like us...
“Plus they've got as many rainy days as Scotland so if that's not a reason to go, then what is? We are so close to them.”
Martin: “Yes they are close but when we Scots get time away, we tend to go chasing the sun, we tend to go south, we tend to go to Spain or Greece or Turkey or wherever so when we first floated the idea of going north to Norway I was so intrigued to go there. And now - and not just because we are punting a new series or trying to get a job with the Norwegian tourist board - I could not recommend it enough. I loved it.
“It was a bit like that moment in the first series, when I couldn’t believe it had taken me that long to get to the Hebrides, I felt quite shameful about that, and I felt the same about Norway…such a stunningly beautiful country, with so much going on, right on our doorstep and I’d never really
)
thought to go there, unless it came up for work.
“But I will be back as much as I can.”
Phil: “I think with the first season, we knew the country so well; we are both from Scotland. We have been and travelled so much across it, but this was brand new for both of us. We didn’t really know much about the Norwegians, about their culture, about their heritage, what they are like as humans so it was kind of interesting to learn everything along the way rather than knowing a little bit about it as we did in season one. We were on a learning journey, much more than we expected.”
So what were your impressions of Norway, the place and the people?
Phil: “A fascinating country with incredible people and we were lucky enough to meet a lot of them in different cities across the land.”
Martin: “They are big beautiful Vikings. You know they have got good genes and I think that is a lot to do with their connection with nature. We’re not painting it as some sort of absolute perfect place, it obviously has its problems like everywhere else but they seem to have a very healthy culture. They are very outdoorsy, even their diets and stuff like that. What I took away from it was that everywhere and everyone we met seemed in pretty good shape.
“One thing though they are
quirky. Especially when we got more to the north of the country, they are very direct. I don’t know if it’s a kind of a thing with English being their second language, they don’t have time for b*****. They kind of just say what is on their mind a lot of the time.
“We had a phenomenal ‘man on the ground’ Preben, who was a godsend to our team, taking us round the country being our guide. But he had this amazing way where he would say some wild things to you and you didn’t know if he was being serious or not, but then he played on it. He would just say more wild things and then burst out laughing. I found him hilarious.
“Norwegians tend to just say what is on their mind. At first you are taken quite aback by it, but once you get used to it, it’s very endearing.”
Phil: “They don’t take themselves too seriously either. You know they are quite humorous that way. A lot of the time they were taking the mick out of us and we were like what, but it was something we found that really warming about them. Another thing which struck us was how vast the country is, we
hadn’t taken that on board how big it is from top to bottom. Huge country…”
Martin: “Especially when you are doing all the driving…
Phil: “Well you know that’s your job darling. But it is a vast space, getting from even from A to B was a bit of a mission sometimes.”
Martin: “I know tell me about it. If we ever come to series three… Well last year it was a promise you were going to learn to drive, this year it will be contractual that you are learning how to drive.”
Phil: “Born to be driven my friend, you know that already.”
Lots of adventures and banter, but were there scary moments?
Phil: “Yeah, there definitely was a few. I think. For me the oil rig training was intense. It was really intense, scary, at times very unnerving. When I was left in the middle of the North Sea alone, not knowing if what was underneath me was a Loch Ness monster type below and whales or whatever, I was very alone with my own thoughts. And then, on top of that,
we did the helicopter survival exercise, and I'm not very good underwater. I couldn’t breathe properly. And, to be honest, I was in such a panic, I didn't listen to the instructor. I didn't care what he was saying, and I was just desperate to get out of that water tank. I said get me out immediately whereas Martin took it in his stride and listened and carefully went through the process, but for me that was a really tough day.”
Martin: “Yeah, I mean, I think that's why we're why we're such a good team, those because all that stuff I kind of love. My Dad worked on the oil rigs so he used to come back home and tell me stories about the helicopter trade and stuff. So it was something I always wanted to try, and I love all that excitement, adrenalin stuff.
“But when it comes to like the fine dining and all that kind of high culture stuff, that’s really not for me, I’m out my comfort zone and that is where Mr MacHugh comes alive. So I think that's where we kind of bounce off each other but all that kind of stuff – the oil rig training, the fire stuff was great fun. Really by the time they got into it, you were less than a meter from a blazing inferno on your face. That was so exciting!
“But my personal highlight was being in with the wolves. That was so primal, being in amongst a wolf pack. When they started howling, you know, I've never quite felt anything like that. There was something that just thought of
tingling on your body, that that was just a sensation that that I've never experienced before. Even if that was the only thing I took away from the trip, you know that’s something I'll always remember.”
So anything further you’d like to flag to the viewers about Norway and the series?
Martin: “Spectacular. Really, really breath-takingly beautiful and you felt like you were in a live action Frozen at times, the fjords were just something absolutely breath-taking. You know, we pride ourselves in Scotland very much on our landscape and our scenery being kind of unrivalled throughout the world, but it was just sensational in Norway. Every time we stopped somewhere or we went on a drive, we were like this can't get any better and it just kept going up and up a notch. So it genuinely is a stunningly, stunningly beautiful country. In terms of the amazing camerawork the team got, it's going to be an absolute treat for the eyes.
Phil:” Yeah, it really is, I got to agree with that. The scenery is phenomenal, but also the people we met on the way, and you'll meet some of these characters, and believe me, they are characters. Really kind natured and everyone was so open to us, coming into their own spaces, their own towns and
communities, showing us everything that they've got to offer. The people really are beautiful in heart and head. So yeah, it was brilliant. Some of the characters we met that across the cities and the towns were just phenomenal, and a big highlight for me was definitely meeting Dagny, the Pop Star. I was like a kid in a sweet shop when I found out that we're actually gonna hang out with her for one day, and it was phenomenal to get in the recording studio alongside her, well maybe not sing, but definitely dance.”
Martin: “You sang, you sang.. You did not stop smiling that entire day”.
Our Dundee city centre clinic is open every Tuesday, midday - 7pm for free and confidential HIV & STI testing. Pop in and see us or email info.dundee@tht.org.uk for an appointment. Marketgait Business Centre 152 West Marketgait Dundee DD1 1NJ
We Chat to queer writer Glenn
Quigley , who has two new books just out The Star We Sail By and Teacup Promises
How do you find time to write ?
If I’m working on a story, I write every weekday afternoon. Or I try to, at least. The only way I can get a story finished is to put myself in front of my laptop and aim for one thousand words. Some days I’ll get more, some days I’ll get fewer, but if I’m not in front of my laptop I won’t get any.
Do you have a fav place to write?
I use my spare bedroom as an office/ writing space. I work from home, which helps enormously. I wrote my first novel, The Moth and Moon, entirely on my couch which probably wasn’t good for my back, so I’ve got a proper chair and desk now.
How do you know what to write?
If I find myself thinking about the same thing over and over again, that’s usually a sign that I need to write about it. Sometimes it’s a character, sometimes a whole scene, sometimes it’s just a bit of dialogue or a single image. I make tons of notes, which
helps to get things out of my mind but if I keep coming back to one of them, then I know there’s something there.
With this being your 5th book does it take you less time to write a book?
Hmm, that’s hard to say, to be honest. Writing a first draft can take about four-to-six months, then rewrites happen later on. I think what’s quicker is my initial approach when it comes to word count goals and the general shape of a story. There’s less of that initial fear and ramping up because I’ve done it before.
Did you have a second volume in mind when you write the 1st book?
For The Knights of Blackrabbit series, I knew right from the start that I wanted this to be an ongoing series rather than a trilogy or anything with a definite endpoint. I wanted to create a framework – a world – in which I could tell crime or mystery stories. My goal with the first book, These Young Wolves, was to establish the setting of Blackrabbit Island and Vince Knight’s new role within it. Ideally, I’d like each instalment in the series to be selfcontained enough for anyone to pick up and get a complete story, while still rewarding long-term readers by giving them ever-growing and developing characters and relationships. So while I may not have had a specific plot in mind when writing book one, I knew there would be more volumes in the series.
What was the most difficult part of writing this book?
The setting of Blackrabbit Island has appeared in two of my books so in that sense, a lot of the worldbuilding legwork was already done. I think the hardest part was crafting a compelling mystery for the characters to inhabit. This story revolves around a missing uncle and his nephew’s search for answers.
Balancing the mystery with enough character development to make the readers care about what happens
was the most difficult part. Hopefully, I pulled it off!
Did you self-publish or go the traditional publishing route and why?
The first book of The Knights of Blackrabbit was published by NineStar Press, so it made sense to stick with them for book two. The Knights is actually a spin-off from The Moth and Moon trilogy, which is also published by NineStar. I will be part of a self-publishing project with some other gay authors later this year but I don’t think I’m allowed to reveal too much about that yet.
How did you get your book deal?
When I wrote my first novel, The Moth and Moon, I sent it to a bunch of agents and publishers. After a bunch of rejections (and more who didn’t reply at all), one person was kind enough to reply and give me some pointers on tightening up the beginning of the story, which I did. I then found NineStar Press, a boutique indie publisher that only publishes LGBTQIA+ stories. I submitted to them and to my great delight, they accepted. The Star We Sail By is my sixth publication with them. (Five novels and one short story.) I’ve since been published with two other publishers, JMS Books and Spectrum Books. Indie publishers
tend to work on a book-by-book basis rather than a book deal, so I’m free to work with other publishing houses.
How did you negotiate your book deals?
When I got my first contract, I signed up with the Society of Authors, a fantastic organisation that, among other things, offers advice on contracts. They will actually check the contract for you and point out any potential issues. I cannot tell you what a relief it was to have them on my side because at the time I knew nothing about the publishing industry, let alone what to look out for in a contract.
Thankfully, NineStar Press were (and are!) all above board so I had nothing to worry about.
Did you have a multi-book deal?
No, I work on a book-by-book basis. But if any Big Five publisher would like to offer me a multi-book deal, I’m open to offers!
What important advice would you give a first-time author?
Never, ever pay a publisher to publish your work. The publisher pays the author, not the other way around. Try to make friends with other authors, their support and advice will be invaluable. The writing community are a friendly bunch! Also, write a story you want to read because when it comes to rewrites and editing, you will read that story a hundred times so you’d better enjoy it!
Also, you probably don’t know this, but once you have a book out your job switches from writing to promoting. Like, all the time. Promotion, marketing, whatever you want to call it, you will be the one who has to get the word out about your work. And it can seem like a mountain to climb.
When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer?
I was good at writing essays in school (the only thing I was good at in school, actually) and I’ve always kept notes and written little bits of
stories here and there. It wasn’t until 2017 that I decided to try writing a “proper” book. Ever since then, it’s become part of my daily life and really like it’s part of what I’m meant to do.
What are your favourite books to read?
I love a classic. I’m most likely to be found with a clothbound classic in my hand. I just finished Animal Farm by George Orwell and I’m still working through Orlando by Virginia Woolf.
How important are book reviews?
For getting my work noticed?
They’re vital. The world of books is vast and reviews are the best way for a little indie writer like me to get his work noticed. I’m not being asked onto The One Show to promote my books, I’m not stocked in your local Sainsbury’s, my best hope is word of mouth and that most often takes the form of reviews on sites like Goodreads, Bookbub, Instagram and Amazon.
One bit of advice authors give to each other is not to actually read our own reviews but that’s not always possible. An indie author is also a marketer/promoter, and if we’ve got a good review, it’s in our interests to let people know, whether that be in a
tweet or a splashy Instagram graphic.
What is your favourite part of being a writer?
I get to disappear into my own head for hours at a time and come back with something to show for it.
What makes a great story?
Burly, bearded men in love. And lighthouses. At least in my experience.
What’s the most surprising thing you learned while writing your books?
To be honest, the most surprising thing is how much people resonate with my
characters. I’ve had people tell me that my stories have given them hope, made them laugh, and made them cry. That people can have genuine emotional reactions to my work never ceases to amaze and delight me.
How do you handle writer’s block?
If it strikes while I’m in the middle of writing a book, I don’t give in to it. I either sit in front of my laptop until something comes out, even a word or two, or I start writing something totally different. If it happens when I’m between projects, I take it as a sign that I should be reading more, so I pick up a book and let myself get inspired.
Teacup Promises will be released on 16th March 2024 by Spectrum Books in paperback and eBook. It will be available from most major retailers, and I will be selling signed copies. People can find me on my website, by signing up to my newsletter, on Facebook, and on Instagram.
Blurb:
Andrew Peacock is turning forty, sleeping with an older, straight, married man, and tired of the lies. So what better time to drag everything into the open than at a party for his lover’s wedding anniversary?
Told across six instalments, three decades, and one pandemic Teacup Promises charts the key moments in the relationships of Andrew, his boyfriend Jack, Jack’s wife Harriet, and Harriet’s lover, Stephen.
books2read.com/teacuppromises
Books@read.com/thestarwesailby
Events at LighthouseEdinburgh's Radical Bookshop 43-45 West Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
14 Feb - Celebrate a feminist alternative Valentine’s with us at Lucy Debussy’s Erotic Cabaret @assemblyroxy
20 Feb - Book launch of ‘Mick Lynch: The Making of a Working Class Hero’ with Gregor Gall
21 Feb - Time for a Scots performance poetry extravaganza feat @misspunnypennie and friends at the Assembly Roxy
22 Feb - Online panel: The Erasure of Palestine in Germanspeaking countries feat. Anna Younes, Hanna Al-Taher, Emran Feroz, Sarah Bulbeisi
26 Feb - the ever so awaited launch of K Patrick’s poetry collection ‘Three Births’! A perfect night of queer joy to see out LGBTQ+ history month
Alan Carr, Welcome back to series 5 of Interior Design Masters. Can you tell us what viewers can expect from this series and why they should watch it?
Brilliant designers, exciting locations and eye-popping interior design. The show is such a springboard – that’s what I love about it. Banjo Beale has his own show, Micaela Sharp, Peter Irvine and Siobhan Murphy do presenting. Molly Coath and Fran Lee have worked with the amazing Matthew Williamson, and I saw a massive billboard advertising Paul Moneypenny’s new wallpaper range - felt like such a proud dad. This show can change your life.
How is it to be reunited with Michelle?
Love her. People think we are chalk and cheese but we have such a giggle on the show. Plus, you learn so much about interior design from her. Every day is a school day with Michelle. Can you tell us a bit more about the designers taking part this year?
The key to the show success is the designers, it’s getting the right mix, not just of personalities but design styles. This year does not disappoint: we have quirky designers, serious designers but the one thing they have in common is that they are designers who are just starting out. On this show you always think that you’ve seen everything and then a designer comes along with something so uniquely beautiful, or in some cases hideously awful, but you are always surprised whether in a good way or bad!
In your opinion, is there a common design faux pas which designers tend to make, that you have seen in this series or across all series of Interior Design Masters?
The most common faux pas is when the designers forget the client and just do what they want to do. The client wanted high end luxury, but you like lime green and fuzzy felt so you decided to pop that on the wall instead - its madness!
The amount of times we see this on the sofa and Michelle ends up telling them ‘It’s not about
you!!’. Obviously, it makes great telly when these designers do it their way but we do end up with some unhappy clients.
When you are with the designers as they are working on their project, do you ever get the urge to get involved or give your opinion?
I have to bite my tongue so badly, but then I do have the worst poker face, so I end up saying it anyway. The series has been going on so long now that I think the designers can tell whether I like it or not. They’ll say ‘you hate it don’t you’ and I have to come clean. But in my defence if I LOVE a design I will gush accordingly.
Michelle and the guest judges are the experts in their field, but do you ever find that their final decision at the end of each episode doesn’t match your favourite design?
Sometimes I am shocked and think Michelle and the guest judge got it wrong. But then that’s what separates this show from a lot of others as Michelle will so eloquently say why it was wrong and then you go ‘oh I see’. The show is fair, no one stays in because their nan’s not well or they didn’t get a Christmas present as a child, it’s whether they follow the brief. A designer will create a stunning room but if the client didn’t want that and asked for something different, you
fail the task, then you will be on the sofa. That’s interior designclient is king.
What sparked your interest for interior design and what do you love about it?
I wasn’t interested in interior design when I started, I loved the show don’t get me wrong, but I was a bit ‘it’s only some wallpaper - get over yourself'. But, as the series went on and I saw more and more designs I realised, and I know this sounds pretentious, the power of colour and space! Plus, you have to remember, with BBC One’s The Italian Job with Amanda Holden I was renovating our little house in Italy doing what the designers were doing back home. I
was upcycling, finding wallpapers, tiling, panelling - on a budget too. But they didn’t have Amanda bossing them about!!! JOKE!!!
Do you have a style you take inspiration from for you home?
Love bold tiles, the brighter the better. I have quite eclectic taste, hate rooms with nothing in them, where’s the life? Do you even live in this room?!
In your opinion, can good interior design have a positive effect on how people feel?
Yes definitely, that’s the one thing I’ve learnt from this showinterior design can affect you mentally, whether that’s spatially or with colour. We all have a
favourite pub or cafe that we love to go to, and you probably love it so much because of the design and you don’t realise it. The comfy sofas that give you a good view to people watch, the cosy banquette with the plush velvet makes you feel relaxed, the lighting gives off an intimate glow and you can chat with your friends in a soothing environment. Even if you don’t like interior design you actually do - you just don’t know it!
How do you think this series will inspire the British public with their own interior design ideas?
It’s all accessible, it’s all within reach, it’s all on a budget, there are no excuses. The only thing holding you back is your
imagination. None of the stuff is high end, they make it look high end. If it can inspire me to go to a car boot sale on a Sunday morning, it can inspire you.
From your personal experience, if you were to give a word of advice to those viewers wanting to design or redesign their home or a room, what would you tell them?
Be confident. Go for it. I got these bright teal tiles for my kitchen, I thought sod it, let’s have a bit of colour, best thing I ever did. It's a talking point when people come into my home.
Now on the iPlayer and BBC tv
