Duncan McLean

Guest writer

Duncan McLean lives in the Orkney Islands, off the north coast of Scotland. He has published novels, plays, a travel book about Texas, and many short stories. He has run two influential small presses (Clocktower Press, which published Irvine Welsh and Ali Smith at the start of their careers) and Abersee Press (which has recently published Hera Lindsay Bird). His most recent publication is Dark Island, a homage to Frank Sargeson’s A Conversation with my Uncle. Duncan was born in Aberdeenshire in 1964.

All images supplied by the author

The strangest literary journal in the world: New Zealand hooks up with the Orkney Islands

Why is so much writing too afraid to ever dare to be offensive? A new literary journal produced in the Orkney Islands, in Scotland, attempts to buck the trend - with assistance from New Zealand authors.

By Duncan McLean | 2nd October, 2018

A man from Scotland travels to NZ and discovers forgotten genius Craig Marriner

A man from Scotland travels to NZ and discovers forgotten genius Craig Marriner

Duncan McLean is a writer and publisher living on the Orkney Islands in Scotland. He travelled to New Zealand, drawn by the books of Frank Sargeson – and discovered the forgotten man of New Zealand writing, Craig Marriner.

By Duncan McLean | 30th November, 2017