Commentary
The Traitors: the show’s Highland setting is befitting a game of deception
MacNeil K (2024) The Traitors: the show’s Highland setting is befitting a game of deception. The Conversation.
Dr Kevin MacNeil
Lecturer in Creative Writing
English Studies University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA
Contact details
- Email kevin.macneil@stir.ac.uk
- Telephone+44 (0)1786 467509
About me
About me
Multi-award-winning author (novelist, playwright, screenwriter, poet), editor, lecturer. Born and raised in the Outer Hebrides. Work translated and published internationally. Numerous radio and television appearances nationally and in other countries.
PUBLICATIONS First book, Love and Zen in the Outer Hebrides (Canongate), won the Tivoli Europa Giovani International Poetry Prize, and novels A Method Actor's Guide to Jekyll and Hyde (Polygon) and best-selling debut The Stornoway Way (Penguin) were both published to widespread critical praise. Third novel, The Brilliant & Forever (Polygon), received excellent reviews and was shortlisted for the Saltire Fiction Book of the Year Award. All three novels have been named a Book of the Year in many newspapers, such as the Guardian, The Times, etc.
Books I have edited include: Robert Louis Stevenson: An Anthology Selected by Jorge Luis Borges and Adolfo Bioy Casares, Edited by Kevin MacNeil – the first time this book the iconic Argentine writer Borges conceived in the 1960s has been published (Polygon, 2017). Struileag: Shore to Shore - Poems and Essays on the Gaelic Diaspora – poetry and essays (Polygon, 2015). These Islands, We Sing: An Anthology of Scottish Islands Poetry - poetry anthology, ed. Kevin MacNeil (Polygon, 2011). The Red Door: The Collected English Stories of Iain Crichton Smith 1949-76 (ed. and introduced by Kevin MacNeil, Birlinn, Edinburgh 2002). The Black Halo: The Collected English Stories of Iain Crichton Smith 1977-98 (ed. by Kevin MacNeil, Birlinn, Edinburgh 2002). Wish I Was Here (multicultural anthology incorporating poems and photographs, ed. Kevin MacNeil and Alec Finlay, Pocketbooks, Edinburgh 2000). See below for recent and forthcoming publications.
LITERARY HONOURS AND AWARDS
Herald Angels Award for Outriders project
J.B. Priestley Award
Writer in Residence, Shetland Isles
Writer in Residence, Ullapool Book Festival
Writing Residency at Palace Villa Concordia, Bamberg, Bavaria
Writer in Residence at International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace
Scottish Arts Council Writer’s Bursary (twice)
British Council Writer in Residence, Uppsala University, Sweden
Hawthornden Fellowship
Millennium Quality Award in Special Recognition of achievements as Iain Crichton Smith Writing Fellow
Overall Winner, Tivoli Europa Giovani International Poetry Prize for best collection of poetry published in Europe by a writer under 35
Invitation to meet the Queen as a young achiever
Inaugural Recipient, the Iain Crichton Smith Bilingual Writing Fellowship (Writer in Residence for the Scottish Highlands)
RECENT AND FORTHCOMING PROJECTS The Secret Realm (animated feature film for children based on my ideas and characters, in development with multinational team). 'Ordinary Case of RLS and RLS' (short story and film to celebrate Robert Louis Stevenson's 170th birthday, released RLS Day, November 2020). 'The Blue Folk of the Minch' - a piece of fiction commissioned by Radio 4, broadcast September 2020. Hai Cookery – a non-fiction book based around a form of cooking I invented (manuscript currently with publisher). 'On Cycling' - an essay on the links between cycling and wellbeing, published in book The Mental Cyclist, ed. Kyle MacRae, Autumn 2020. 'Misty Islands and Invisible Bridges' - keynote speech I gave at the University of Aix-Marseille will feature in a book of academic essays arising from that conference to be published by Edinburgh University Press soon. 'Hebridean Moon' - a piece of fiction on the coronavirus crisis, published by Pendemic. 'Molly the Greyhound Attends a Poetry Reading' - poem and video in The Island Review. Gaelic and English poems in recent editions of Northwords Now and Poetry Scotland, and haiku in various international literary journals. Short stories and poems in recent editions of annual New Writing Scotland book (Association for Scottish Literary Studies).
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Judge, Highland Book Prize (four times); Judge, Wigtown Poetry Prize (twice); Judge, Scottish Book Trust New Writers Awards; Scottish Book Trust New Writers Mentor (three times). Have taught numerous residential courses at Moniack Mhor (Scotland's Writing Centre) - not only a wide variety of adult courses, but also schools courses and courses for care-experienced young adults.
Have taught residential writing courses for the Arvon Foundation.
Have taught creative writing workshops in prison.
APPEARANCES/PERFORMANCES Lectured and performed own work in many countries (including Japan, Hungary, Ireland, USA, Czech Republic, Colombia, Germany, Argentina, Sweden, Italy, etc).
Have read in many diverse venues, from the Scottish Parliament to a sea cave to the Royal Festival Hall to an amphitheatre with an audience of 10,000.
SPOKEN WORD/MUSIC 'Bring the Moon Home' with lauded London-based group HLY FCK, featured on their album 'Midnights'. Akutagawa (live album with Willie Campbell and Colin ‘The Boy Who Trapped the Sun’ Macleod; I co-wrote all the songs). Kevin MacNeil and Willie Campbell Are Visible From Space (full-length album of songs by Kevin MacNeil and Willie Campbell). Local Man Ruins Everything by William Campbell and Kevin MacNeil limited edition 7” single, etched on one side with poem and map of Lewis, released by London label Fantastic Plastic. Single of the Week in The Guardian, The List and on Steve Lamacq’s BBC 6 Music Show. Colombian Fireworks, opening track from debut album by There Will Be Fireworks, written in collaboration. Tha Na Laithean a’ Dol Seachad/The Days Flash Past (CD by Paul Mounsey, contributor on 3 tracks). The Jewel Box (CD of poetry produced by Scottish Poetry Library, contributor on 2 tracks).
Research
The intersection of Buddhism and literature; recent and contemporary literature of the Scottish Highlands and Islands; Buddhism (Theravada and Mahayana, but especially interested in Zen); Scottish Literature; poetry and prose of the Hebrides, contemporary novels; creative writing; playwriting; screenwriting; poetry; Buddhist literature; the connections between physical activity and creativity.
Outputs (56)
Outputs
Commentary
The Islands Are Not Lost, The Compass Is
MacNeil K (2023) The Islands Are Not Lost, The Compass Is. The Bottle Imp, (33). https://www.thebottleimp.org.uk/2023/11/the-islands-are-not-lost-the-compass-is/
Book Chapter
MacNeil K (2023) Fall in Love and Buy a Horse [New Writing Scotland 41]. In: New Writing Scotland 41: nothing but a set of stars for eyes. New Writing Scotland. Glasgow: Association for Scottish Literary Studies. https://asls.org.uk/publications/books/newwriting/nws41/
Book Review
‘Na Sgeulachdan Gàidhlig’, By Iain Mac A’ Ghobhainn
MacNeil K (2023) ‘Na Sgeulachdan Gàidhlig’, By Iain Mac A’ Ghobhainn ['The Gaelic Short Stories, by Iain Crichton Smith']. Review of: Na Sgeulachdan Gàidhlig is published by Comann Litreachas Gàidhlig na h-Alba. The Bottle Imp, (32). https://www.thebottleimp.org.uk/2023/07/na-sgeulachdan-gaidhlig-by-iain-mac-a-ghobhainn/
Book Chapter
Misty Islands and Hidden Bridges
MacNeil K (2022) Misty Islands and Hidden Bridges. In: Pittin-Hedon M, Manfredi C & Hames S (eds.) Scottish Writing After Devolution: Edges of the New. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, pp. 163-175.
Other
MacNeil K (2022) relativism by Mary Ford Neal. [https://thehighwindowpress.com/category/reviews/]. Online: The High Window Press.
Performance
Performance
Book Chapter
MacNeil K (2022) An deidh Santoka Taneda. In: New Writing Scotland 40: Nobody Remembers the Birdman. New Writing Scotland, 40. Glasgow: Association for Scottish Literary Studies.
Other
MacNeil K (2022) Coll Beach Sutra. [Magazine], pp. 38-39.
Other
MacNeil K (2022) Gaelic poems. [print]. Aberdeen: Aberdeen University Press.
Book Chapter
MacNeil K (2022) Time is a Knife that Heals. In: A Collection of Short Stories on the Theme of Between Islands. Stornoway: An Lanntair.
Book Chapter
MacNeil K (2021) Ordinary Case of RLS and RLS. In: Robert Louis Stevenson Club (ed.) Fortunate Voyager: A Celebration of Robert Louis Stevenson. Edinburgh: Merchiston Publishing/Napier University/Robert Louis Stevenson Club, pp. 29-34.
Other
He, For One, Did Not Need the Blood of Those Who Loved Him
MacNeil K (2021) He, For One, Did Not Need the Blood of Those Who Loved Him. [print and online]. Gaidhealtachd.
Book Chapter
MacNeil K (2020) Humour. In: The Middle of a Sentence: Short Prose Anthology. Glasgow: The Common Breath, pp. 62-3.
Other
MacNeil K (2020) Japan Poems. [print and online]. Gaidhealtachd.
Performance
Book Chapter
MacNeil K (2020) faclan, eich-mhara. In: 100 Dain as Fhearr Leinn/100 Favourite Gaelic Poems. Edinburgh: Luath Press.
Other
MacNeil K (2020) Selection of poems. [print, online, and audio]. Gaidhealtachd.
Other
MacNeil K (2018) Gaelic poems. [print and online]. Gaidhealtachd.
Book Chapter
MacNeil K (2018) Makar. In: With Their Best Clothes On. New Writing Scotland, 36. Glasgow: Association for Scottish Literary Studies.
Other
MacNeil K (2018) Gaelic poems. [print and online]. Gaidhealtachd.
Edited Book
Robert Louis Stevenson: An Anthology Selected by Adolfo Bioy Casares and Jorge Luis Borges
MacNeil K (ed.) (2017) Robert Louis Stevenson: An Anthology Selected by Adolfo Bioy Casares and Jorge Luis Borges. Edinburgh: Polygon Books. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Robert-Louis-Stevenson-Anthology-Stevensons/dp/1846974070/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500472944&sr=1-1&keywords=robert+louis+stevenson+%3A+an+anthology+kevin+borges
Book Review
'Oyster' by Michael Pedersen, with illustrations by Scott Hutchison
MacNeil K (2017) 'Oyster' by Michael Pedersen, with illustrations by Scott Hutchison. Review of: Oyster by Michael Pedersen, with illustrations by Scott Hutchison, Edinburgh, Polygon Books 2017, 128 pp. ISBN: 9781846973970. The Bottle Imp, (22). https://www.thebottleimp.org.uk/2017/11/oyster-michael-pedersen-illustrations-scott-hutchison/
Authored Book
The Diary of Archie the Alpaca
MacNeil K (2017) The Diary of Archie the Alpaca. Edinburgh: Polygon Books. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Diary-Archie-Alpaca-Kevin-MacNeil/dp/1846974062/ref=pd_sbs_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=A7DV26250W0FR1M7WHTR
Book Chapter
MacNeil K (2017) Kevin MacNeil. In: Outriders. Edinburgh: Polygon/Edinburgh International Book Festival, pp. 56-65.
Article
Portable Rootedness and Other Contradictions: Some Thoughts on Contemporary Hebridean Poetry
MacNeil K (2017) Portable Rootedness and Other Contradictions: Some Thoughts on Contemporary Hebridean Poetry. The Bottle Imp, (21), Art. No.: 1. http://asls.arts.gla.ac.uk/SWE/TBI/index.html
Authored Book
MacNeil K (2016) The Brilliant & Forever [The Brilliant and Forever]. Edinburgh: Polygon Books. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brilliant-Forever-Kevin-MacNeil/dp/1846973376/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500472802&sr=1-1
Edited Book
Struileag: Shore to Shore - Cladach gu Cladach
MacNeil K (ed.) (2015) Struileag: Shore to Shore - Cladach gu Cladach. Edinburgh: Polygon Books. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Struileag-Shore-Cladach/dp/1846973171/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500472683&sr=1-1&keywords=struileag
Other
MacNeil K (2015) 'Silence in the Mirror'. [Print]. Dublin: Poetry Ireland, pp. 114-118.
Book Chapter
MacNeil K (2014) Homer and the Ceilidh. In: New Writing Dundee 8. New Writing Dundee, 8. Dundee: University of Dundee, pp. 57-60.
Book Chapter
Aliens that Weren't and a Spaceship that Was
MacNeil K (2014) Aliens that Weren't and a Spaceship that Was. In: Songs of Other Places. New Writing Scotland, 32. Glasgow: Association for Scottish Literary Studies, pp. 111-118.
Other
MacNeil K (2014) Late. Gutter, (10), pp. 28-30.
Other
MacNeil K (2012) Buddha. Gutter, (06), pp. 66-69.
Other
MacNeil K (2011) Gaelic poems. Gutter, (05), pp. 163-4.
Book Chapter
Gaelic poems translated into German
MacNeil K (2011) Gaelic poems translated into German. In: Beredter Norden: Schottische Lyrik seit 1900. Berlin: Edition Rugerup.
Edited Book
These Islands, We Sing: An Anthology of Scottish Islands Poetry
MacNeil K (ed.) (2011) These Islands, We Sing: An Anthology of Scottish Islands Poetry. Edinburgh: Polygon Books. https://www.amazon.co.uk/These-Islands-We-Sing-Anthology/dp/1846971969/ref=la_B001K82SYW_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500472140&sr=1-8
Book Chapter
MacNeil K (2010) Uair neo Uaireigin. In: Eadar Da Sgeul: Sgeulachdan Goirid aig Ire Ard-Sgoile. Stornoway: Storlann, pp. 104-115.
Authored Book
A Method Actor's Guide to Jekyll and Hyde
MacNeil K (2010) A Method Actor's Guide to Jekyll and Hyde. Edinburgh: Polygon Books. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Method-Actors-Guide-Jekyll-Hyde/dp/1846971691/ref=la_B001K82SYW_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500472459&sr=1-7
Book Chapter
'Adrian Mitchell - a Poet Who Was Poetry' and 'For Adrian, in Shetland'
MacNeil K (2009) 'Adrian Mitchell - a Poet Who Was Poetry' and 'For Adrian, in Shetland'. In: Adrian: Scotland Celebrates Adrian Mitchell. Gatehouse of Fleet: Markings, pp. 3-4, 45.
Book Chapter
MacNeil K (2009) Aberdeen. In: Silver: An Aberdeen Anthology. Edinburgh: Polygon, p. 10.
Book Chapter
MacNeil K (2007) Edinburgh Man. In: Perverted by Language: Fiction inspired by The Fall. London: Serpent's Tail, pp. 179-188.
Book Chapter
MacNeil K (2007) Poems. In: Ten Seasons: explorations in Botanics. Edinburgh: Luath Press/Scottish Poetry Library.
Performance
Book Chapter
MacNeil K (2005) 'Corneal Graft'. In: The Hand that Sees: Poems for the Quincentenary of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Edinburgh: Scottish Poetry Library/The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, pp. 58-9.
Book Chapter
MacNeil K (2005) Poems. In: Freedom Spring: Ten Years On. Glasgow: Waverley Books, pp. 98-99.
Authored Book
MacNeil K (2005) The Stornoway Way. London: Penguin Books. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stornoway-Way-Kevin-MacNeil/dp/0141021608
Book Chapter
MacNeil K (2004) faclan, eich-mhara. In: Belso Terek: Huszonot Skot Vers 1978-2002. Budapest: Parnasszu Konyvek, pp. 86-7.
Book Chapter
MacNeil K (2004) faclan, eich-mhara. In: Intimate Expanses: XXV Scottish Poems 1978-2002. Edinburgh/Manchester: Carcanet/Scottish Poetry Library.
Edited Book
New Writing Scotland 18: Going up Ben Nevis in a Bubble Car
(2001) New Writing Scotland 18: Going up Ben Nevis in a Bubble Car. New Writing Scotland, 18. Association for Scottish Literary Studies.
Authored Book
Be Wise, Be Otherwise: Ideas and Advice for Your Kind of Person
MacNeil K (2001) Be Wise, Be Otherwise: Ideas and Advice for Your Kind of Person. Edinburgh: Canongate Books. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Wise-Otherwise-Advice-Person/dp/1841951102/ref=la_B001K82SYW_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500471283&sr=1-9
Edited Book
The Red Door: The Complete English Stories 1949-76, by Iain Crichton Smith
MacNeil K (ed.) (2001) The Red Door: The Complete English Stories 1949-76, by Iain Crichton Smith. Edinburgh: Polygon Books. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Door-Complete-English-Stories/dp/1841581607
Edited Book
The Black Halo: The Complete English Stories 1977-98, by Iain Crichton Smith
MacNeil K (ed.) (2001) The Black Halo: The Complete English Stories 1977-98, by Iain Crichton Smith. Edinburgh: Polygon Books. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Halo-Complete-English-Stories/dp/1841581712/ref=la_B001K82SYW_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500471793&sr=1-6
Edited Book
Wish I Was Here: A Scottish Multicultural Anthology
MacNeil K & Finlay A (eds.) (2000) Wish I Was Here: A Scottish Multicultural Anthology. Edinburgh: Pocketbooks. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wish-I-Was-Here-Pocketbooks-x/dp/0748662812/ref=la_B001K82SYW_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500472294&sr=1-5
Book Chapter
MacNeil K (1999) Poems. In: Friends and Kangaroos. New Writing Scotland, 17. Glasgow: Association for Scottish Literary Studies, p. 104.
Authored Book
Love and Zen in the Outer Hebrides
MacNeil K (1998) Love and Zen in the Outer Hebrides. Edinburgh: Canongate Books. https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Love-Outer-Hebrides-Kevin-MacNeil/0862418127