Q & A with Archie Macpherson

JANIS MACKAY is a writer, storyteller and creative writing tutor, from Edinburgh, Scotland. After careers in journalism and theatre Janis completed a Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Sussex in 2004. She won the Kelpies prize with her first novel for children; Magnus Fin and the Ocean Quest and later, in 2013, won the Scottish Children's Book Awards with her novel, The Accidental Time Traveller, published by Floris Books. Her novel, Wild Song, published by Piccadilly, was nominated for a Carnegie Medal. With eleven published books for children, and one self published book for adults (The Watchmaker's Wife - a fictional story based on the life of her grandmother) On a Northern Shore is Janis's first published work for adults. Janis lives in the Borders with her partner, and teaches creative writing at Edinburgh University. Janis also runs a one year novel writing course.

Countdown to Scotland's first game against Haiti in the 2026 FIFA World Cup (UK time).
00
Days
:00
Hours
:00
Mins
:00
Secs
Here’s to the players who wear the shirt, thank you for giving us something worth rallying behind, and here’s to the supporters who kept believing even when we were out in the wilderness.
28 years of heartbreak are over, Scotland are back in the World Cup. With a pen dipped in passion, McNeill explores the emotional landscape of football, bringing to life the highs and lows, triumphs and tribulations that define the beautiful game in Scotland.
Praise for We Are Scottish Football:
In this unique and vivid collection of poems and photographs Julie McNeill makes sure we don’t forget the impact our footballing history has had on the world. STUART COSGROVE, author & presenter
A must read for any fan of football, history, poetry and Scotland. IAN MAXWELL, CEO SFA
In this wonderful book of poems and photographs Julie McNeill ties together the past and present of the game and highlights some of its outstanding moments, personalities and controversies. ROSE REILLY MBE, World Cup Winning Footballer
A poetic tribute, capturing the soul-stirring drama and devotion that make Scottish football an enduring and enchanting spectacle. PAUL ENGLISH, The Herald
Timely and well-written by a fine poet [who] acknowledges the popular roots of the male game while inflecting these through a modern female gaze. ALISTAIR FINDLAY, Morning Star
JULIE McNEILL, poet, author and workshop facilitator, specialises in creative writing workshops and talks, focusing on mental
health and supporting individuals with additional needs. Author of Mission Dyslexia and two poetry collections, she’s the Poet in Residence for St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation and the Makar for The Scottish Women’s National Football Team Poets Society. Her performances include notable events like Wigtown Book Festival and StAnza International Poetry Festival.