The Bottle Imp Scottish Studies ezine

The Bottle Imp exists to promote and support the teaching and study of Scottish literature and language. Inside we have articles, opinions, and arguments waiting to happen, along with information on new developments in Scottish literature and literary criticism. We’re sure you'll find something to intrigue, inspire or annoy you!

Our contributors include both writers and academics, from within Scotland and without. The Bottle Imp comes out twice a year, spring and fall; feedback is welcome and contributions are invited. If you want to raise an issue, make a point or pose a question, please get in touch.

The Bottle Imp is published by the Association for Scottish Literary Studies (ASLS). A development of the Scottish Writing Exhibition, The Bottle Imp is edited and produced by Gwen Enstam, ASLS's International Project Developer, and Duncan Jones, ASLS's General Manager.

Issue 9, May 2011

Long Thin Strings of Singing

This issue, The Bottle Imp inflates its lungs, throws back its head, opens its mouth and belts one out—or rather, several, as we wax lyrical about Scotland's songs. Music, song and literature have always intertwined, of course, and nowhere more so than here. Perhaps it's the bardic tradition, or the close-grained friction between the oral and the written cultures—Scottish writers and musicians have been crossing over each other for a very long time ...

in the current issue:

Power to the Singers: Scots, English, politics, and policies by Marina Dossena
Scott, Opera and the Italian Journey by Douglas Gifford
Posing as the ultimate Scottish Songster: James Hogg's Songs by the Ettrick Shepherd or Hogg GOLD! by Kirsteen McCue
a.k.a. Thurso Berwick: Doon Amang the Eskimos by Gordon McCulloch
Song in Shetland: A Personal Perspective by Anne Sinclair
Scottish Studies Profile: William Donaldson
Scots Word of the Season: Ceilidh by Maggie Scott
Gaelic Place Names: Cill by Alison Grant
New Publications consists of two pages — one listing new Scottish Fiction & Poetry titles, and one listing new Scottish Non-fiction & Criticism.
Book Reviews This issue sees the launch of a separate section for reviews of new Scottish books in The Bottle Imp — be sure to visit the page and see all five!
Conferences May 2011 – July 2013
Previous issues available in our online archive.
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