Allan Massie

1 month ago | wsj.com | Allan Massie

Newly decoded correspondence reveals that Mary, Queen of Scots was involved in various plots to free her from her English imprisonment. There have been many biographies of Mary, Queen of Scots. The best for the general reader is probably still Antonia Fraser’s, now more than 50 years old. More recent publications have examined everything from Mary’s relationship with her cousin Elizabeth to the betrayals, abductions and murders that have fascinated people for centuries. What need of another?

2 months ago | scotsman.com | Allan Massie

Mindset should not be an issue for Scotland at Twickenham"Horses for courses" is a common saying in the world of horse-racing. It can be applied to other sports too. There are all sorts of reasons. My late father-in-law used to say that Ireland were Scotland's "bogey" team, no matter where the match was played. The last ten years has proved him right. Difficult to say why, even though Ireland have been very good for the last ten years.

Feb 8, 2025 | scotsman.com | Allan Massie

Here’s hoping Finn Russell has his smile back on SundayA lot of sport is played in the head, and players or teams that have become accustomed to winning, continue to win because they expect to do so. This isn't arrogance, or is only occasionally that. There was a good example in Dublin last week. Ireland were poor in the first half - by their standards shockingly poor. England in contrast were rather good.

Jan 30, 2025 | scotsman.com | Allan Massie

This second novel in Alexander McCall Smith’s Perfect Passion Company series seems to suggest that we should see marriage as a rational rather than a romantic business, writes Allan MassieI have always liked a story about the great French novelist Balsac. Tired of a discussion about his debts and usual financial morass, he said, "but let's turn to an important question. Who should Eugenie Grandet marry?”, she being the heroine of the new novel he was embarked on. One sees his point.

Jan 3, 2025 | scotsman.com | Allan Massie

This even-handed exploration of the debate over the development of renewable energy on Shetland offers much food for thought, writes Allan MassieBooks about Shetland used to be quite rare, some having only local publication and a local readership. Things are different now; this is the fourth or fifth that has come my way in recent months. Some are the work of incomers, others of people with deep roots in Shetland.