A four-part series about the relationship that Scotland’s writers have with Scotland itself. Presented by Kirsty Wark. Episode 2 – Rural Scotland.

Scotland’s scenery is a huge part of its appeal, but how writers use the natural world is imbued with politics. Do you depict the countryside realistically or sentimentally and what are the implications of this?

Kirsty Wark hears how JM Barrie paved his way to success with Peter Pan by sentimentalising his rural upbringing for the popular entertainment of a very urban readership. She also hears about Màiri Mhòr, a hugely popular singer and poet, whose sentimental songs about her own past served a different and far more radical political purpose. More recently, Graeme Macrae Burnet's novel His Bloody Project has revealed the darker side of crofting life in contrast with its romantic image.

With the Highland setting of Outlander captivating audiences around the world, we meet Alasdair MacMhaighstir, (also known as Alexander MacDonald) a real life Jacobite soldier, the Gaelic tutor to Bonnie Prince Charlie and the author of poems which were so rude they were burnt in public by Edinburgh’s public executioner. Even Outlander’s Jamie Fraser would struggle to compete with him.

Producer: Brian McCluskey
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4 Show less