iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Bench in Wigtown, Scotland's Book Town. I strongly believe this - that a book remains part of an ongoing creative process once it has come into the hands of its reader.

Bench in Wigtown, black painted iron work with "A writer only begins a book - a reader finishes it" , "Reading is a conversation - all books talk, but a good book listens as well", "A book is a gift you can open again and again" and "There is no friend as loysl ad a book", all written on in white paint.

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James Aithie 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jamesaithie.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

#WigtownBookFestival Wed 30 📚 16:30 @shonamaclean.bsky.social The Cromarty Library Circle @palebackwriter.bsky.social How to Build a City, Journeys into the Urban Future Mark Williams - The Coastal Forager, Wild Maritime Food to Preserve, Cook, and Eat #DumfriesAndGalloway #ScottishFestivals

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I've read through this 3 times, and can't find 'Derry Girls', 'The Killing' (Danish version) or 'Borgen'; also, 'Happy Valley' is only no.45, so clearly this list is nonsense.

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Scottish Post-Punk @scotspostpunk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Meanwhile in Leith Links Allotments… youtu.be/mbAyj1h9vI0?...

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Alex Walters @alexwalters.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

One of our teachers led a whole assembly while standing in a waste paper bin. He concluded: ‘You may not understand why I’m doing this. But one day you’ll realise and see why it was important.’ He was wrong.

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Started the day full of joy and enthusiasm to get on with my writing where I left off yesterday. Thought, "I'd better attend to that pile of admin that has piled up, first though." And so, I have done the admin and it has eaten my soul.

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Chris Brookmyre @brookmyre.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Marisa and I will be at Oxfam bookshop on Byres Rd this Friday evening as part of the Byres Rd Book Festival. We'll be chatting about Quite Ugly One Evening, The Death of Shame and what's next for Ambrose Parry.

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Just a reminder to anyone being targeted by the latest Facebook scammer claiming to be me: I AM NOT ON FACEBOOK. Obviously, it's flattering that they've used a photo of Stephanie Merritt/S J Parris, but still, I AM NOT ON FACEBOOK, or X or THREADS.

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

The Last Night of the Proms. Nicky Spence. What a showman. What a voice.

Opera singer Nicky Spence, in red tartan trews and gold lame sleeved t-shirt, and 2 dancers, in kilts, performing the 11-song medley, 'Scotch Snap', at the Last Night of the Proms.

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Annalisa Nicholson @apuddleofmuddle.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

It's just weird isn't it when the British Museum is running a sold-out exhibition, when The Odyssey reports $1billion at the box office, when the V&A has just opened the most innovative and accessible museum model in Europe....and this is what our minister for research comes out with.

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Heading upto my study, leaving my phone on a shelf outside, as I wonder how much of a boost to the GDP of the western world there might have been, had Tom Hiddleston never danced.

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Manderley Press @manderleypress.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

We are preparing for Halloween this year with our most spine-chilling title so far. The Haunting of Lamb House is a modern gothic masterpiece, set in Lamb House in Rye - one of England's most celebrated literary and historic houses - and written by master storyteller Joan Aiken. Pre-orders are open!

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Stiles near Ousdale broch in Caithness #stilin

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Dr Anna Clark @drannaclark.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

The Colossus of Roads: Thomas Telford, distinguished Scottish civil engineer, died #OTD 1834; known for roads, bridges, canals & aqueducts including Menai Suspension Bridge & Pontcysyllte Aqueduct; first President Institution Civil Engineers Portrait 1822 by Lane, ICE | Pontcysyllte, 1826, G. Arnald

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

“When mayors in other cities ask me how #Copenhagen afforded to invest in its cycling networks, I ask them how on earth they have been able to afford highway projects. We invested in bike lanes because that was the cheapest option.” What the world can learn from Copenhagen’s cycling revolution.

theprogressplaybook.com

Copenhagen Cycling Revolution: Lessons for Cities

Close to two-thirds of the city’s residents commute by bike to school or work every day.

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Libro.fm @libro.fm · 31/08/2026

With Libro, you don't lose what you buy. Your audiobooks are yours to keep, your credits never expire, you can pause or cancel your membership easily and at any time. We are here to support indie bookshops, and not rip off or scam the people that want to support them.

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Spotted on the cycle path on my way home thid morning: someone whose door opens directly onto the pavement, creating a garden out of virtually nothing. Beaitiful.

Nasturtiums and other plants more or less growing in the strip of dirt gathered where the bottom of a building's wall meets the pavement.

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Today's haul from Picaresque Books. As a child, I'd spend hours poring over Ian Grimble's 'Scottish Clans and Tartans'. Then, one day, Ian Grimble came to our house and I was allowed to sit (silently) in the same room. I could not have been more awestruck had the Pope turned up on the doorstep.

3 books: Ian Gow's 'The Scottish Interior' showing a regency-age room on the cover, Ian Grimble's 'The World of Rob Donn' woth a west highland landscape on tje cover andGeorge Bain's 'The Lordship of Petty' in a plain burgundy cover. Also a slip with the name and address of Picaresque Books in Dingwall.

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

A niche question for Scottish medievalists etc., but I am reading something that keeps calling John of Fordun, 'John Fordun', and I'm wondering, is this because the world has gone to Hell in a handbasket, or am I just really old? (Only recently stopped spelling medievalists 'mediaevalists', btw.)

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

I've just been woken by my sister's dog breaking into my room & jumping on my bed. This is a good thing because I was dreaming I was teaching at Moniack Mhor & had forgptten it was my turn to cook and so was trying to buy chips for 27 angry Americans in a place with no chip shop. Well done, Dandy.*

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Bruce Arthurs @brucearthursaz.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

I've heard good things about S. G. MacLean's ( @shonamaclean.bsky.social ) historical mystery THE BOOKSELLER OF INVERNESS. And the ebook is on sale today for only 99 cents! Picked up a copy. www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-bookse...

barnesandnoble.com

The Bookseller of Inverness (The Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year 2023)

Barnes & Noble’s online bookstore for books, NOOK ebooks & magazines. Shop music, movies, toys & games, too. Receive free shipping with your Barnes & Noble Membership.

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Never pass this without thinking of Jim and George, and all their couthie blethers, and I'm not even a gardener.

Street sign on a stone wall in Aberdeen, reading, "Beechgrove Gardens".

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Dogsitting my sister's tiny 5 y.o. mongrel rescue this weekend, I got up at 1/2 past 7 to let him out and give him his breakfast. "Nope," says Dandy, "and nope again, I'm off back to bed." As someone who has a labrador back at home, this is utterly mind-blowing (and not the talking dog bit, either).

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Iona Fyfe @ionafyfe.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I need to shift 50 last tickets for my Edinburgh Fringe show to almost break even. I’m a Scottish folksinger, performing self-penned, trad ballads and translations in the Scots language. I’ve got a show on Fri 21 and Sun 23. Reposts would go a long way. Thx ❤️ 🎟️ Tickets → bit.ly/fringeif

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Really sorry to read today the 'Only Child' is not being renewed for a 3rd season by the BBC. A really clever, perceptive comedy. Genuinely good TV with an excellent cast headed by Greg McHugh and Gregor Fisher. Making way for more reality/celbrity dross, I suppose.

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Andy Brown @andybrown1951.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

All those who argued against low emissions zones might like to read this and think hard about whether they are so in favour of clinging to fossilised technology that they are fine with wrecking children's lungs www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Children's stunted lungs show recovery in ultra low emission zone

Children's lung capacity caught up with their peers in less polluted areas once a clean air zone came in, a study shows.

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Libro.fm @libro.fm · 18/08/2026

No matter our individual budget or accessibility needs, there are more ways than ever to divest from Amazon! And we are proud to be one of them ☺️

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Stiles @lakesstiles.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I've just read this book by @shonamaclean.bsky.social Stayed up VERY late last night to finish it. The characters and plot are great, and, y'know, Cromarty's not a bad place either. Even has the odd stile. Give it a whirl. It's ace.

Book front cover, The Cromarty Library Circle by Shona Maclean

Oil platforms at Nigg as seen from Cromarty

Wonky wooden stile over wire fence with gorse / whins behind

Green metal gate leading to narrow double door, a lighter green

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womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Artist Linda Timmons's stained glass bike wheel #womensart

Sculpture with bike wheel on grass with spokes with stained glass inlay

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The Ghost Monk @theghostmonk.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

"Like other men who spend their lives in obscure literary research, he had a secret ambition to appear in print which was checked by cold fits of diffidence, fear of criticism and habits of indolence and procrastination." - Sir Walter Scott, 'The Antiquary' #BookWormSat #writing

A drawing by Dutch artist Jan Veth of a man of the 19th century sitting in an ornate wooden chair and writing in a notebook. He is smoking an old-fashioned pipe with along curved stem.

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Was cycling home from a tea room today, and my neice drove past me with her 5 y.o. in the back of the car and he didn't understand how "that girl" could be his granny's sister (she is my youngest sibling). And now I am leaving him all my money.

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Dr. Black's Medieval Remedies @winstonblack.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

My god, what an image. Dead kings in a plastic box, carried off as the world burns.

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Thank to the lorry driver who stopped, holding up all the traffic so I could cross the road at the bit where cyclists are told to cross & where there is no actual crossing. I didn't have to (a) wait 2 hours till all the cars were home or (b) play 🐔with oncoming vehicles. Hope he had a lovely night x

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

On a 1st visit to the home of a writer friend today, and his wife, brought in coffee and a big plate of home bakes. "I'll start with one of those," I said, pointing at a substantial slab. I could have prsented her with my entire CV and still told her less about myself than with that 1 word, 'start'.

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Where in the name of the wee man is my History of Scottish Literature, which is not even called that? Why is it not anywhere to be found on my shelves? Why is my life like this?

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Dear Scotrail, I only want to check the time of the next train, but no, it seems I must get the new ap0. Ok. But lo! In red ink you inform me that my email is a no-no because it already exists. Yes, dear Scotrail, it does. On your old app. Are there not enough circles of hell? I will get the bus.

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

An absolutely mad amount of cherries overhanging the cycle path betwen the old lane and the busy road into town just now. I didn't do so well with the rasps, though, as they were growing on the other side of a ditch, and I'm not at the cycling in my wellies stage. Yet.

A tub of mixed cherries and raspberries in a bike basket.

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Olga Wojtas @olgawojtas.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Thrilled that "Miss Blaine's Prefect and the Parcel of Rogues," published by @sarabandbooks.bsky.social, is @waterstones.bsky.social Scottish Book of the Month. Thanks to @shonamaclean.bsky.social and Harriet Tyce for the lovely cover quotes.

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Miss Rhoda MacDonald who said one day, "Shona could write a book." She also valiantly tried to interest us in Steinbeck. To a man and a woman (or a 14 year old child at a Highland comprehensive school), we hated Steinbeck.

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Tina Baker @tinabakerbooks.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

My mum was a #traveller. My dad wasn’t. At one point both sides hated each other & we were in a caravan by ourselves. Watching #secretlivesofgypsywives was surprisingly emotional. Not many #writers are from my background. #authorlife #amwriting about my heritage

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Cal looked at the clock.. "Can I have a bath?" "It's Thursday." [Sorry. I'll stop quoting now. So good though.]

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I wasn't sure for the 1st few pages, but my goodness, once we're on the island, one quotable line after another. For instance, on his grandmother's disregard for the style of her fringe, "She simply needed a way to end her hair and start her face." Top notch stuff.

A hardback copy of Douglas Stuart's novel, 'John of John'.

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Dundee Utd v Rangers on the telly, but it's all kicking off in the livingroom over who ate the last triangle of last night's giant Toblerone. Wild, wild Friday night at the homestead.

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Let us not speak of pheasants, though.

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Shona MacLean @shonamaclean.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

We introduced our youngest to The West Wing tonight - he was a toddler when it originally aired. Incredible to think it was once conceivable to portray a White House staffed by intelligent people working for a president with empathy and integrity.

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