Spud’s Christmas

So Irvine Welsh has written a short story for the Christmas edition of The Big Issue, the monthly magazine of a charity that supports homeless folk. Good on him – it’s one of several worthy causes Welsh has supported over the years. But we should worry....

Favourite Scottish novel of last fifty years?

Another plaudit comes Welsh’s way. In a Scottish Book Trust poll Trainspotting has just been voted the favourite Scottish novel of the last half-century. Congratulations are in order. Can’t argue with a popular vote. But Welsh is right to raise doubts...