Cool Scots by Greg Moodie sampler
What do Kenny Dalglish and Robert Louis Stevenson have in common? Or Annie Lennox and Mary Barbour? Or Joseph Knight and Sean Connery? They are but a few examples of the Scots that have shaped the cool nation we see today.
In this whacky toon-fest of character sketches, Greg Moodie presents 42 key figures in Scotland’s rich and varied history. Spanning the living and the dead, the portraits range from potentially paranoid politicians and health-and-safety-loving Formula One drivers to Jacobite heroines and promiscuous poets. Basically, you get the best of the best.
Accompanying each brief biography – peppered with quirky anecdotes, hilarious quips and mostly accurate facts – is a psychedelic portrait that blends past and present. Ever seen Muriel Spark sport a studded choker or James Clerk Maxwell boast two sleeves of tattoos? You will now.
For once including those cool Scottish women so often ignored in history books, Moodie presents his collection ‘in an order deliberately designed to jolt your little minds out of their preconceived ideas of time’. You’ll leap between modern day musicians and 18th century science writers at the turn of each delightfully glossy page.
Lavishly illustrated throughout, Moodie celebrates Scotland’s achievements, revels in its victories and occasionally blends fact and fiction.
What do Kenny Dalglish and Robert Louis Stevenson have in common? Or Annie Lennox and Mary Barbour? Or Joseph Knight and Sean Connery? They are but a few examples of the Scots that have shaped the cool nation we see today.
In this whacky toon-fest of character sketches, Greg Moodie presents 42 key figures in Scotland’s rich and varied history. Spanning the living and the dead, the portraits range from potentially paranoid politicians and health-and-safety-loving Formula One drivers to Jacobite heroines and promiscuous poets. Basically, you get the best of the best.
Accompanying each brief biography – peppered with quirky anecdotes, hilarious quips and mostly accurate facts – is a psychedelic portrait that blends past and present. Ever seen Muriel Spark sport a studded choker or James Clerk Maxwell boast two sleeves of tattoos? You will now.
For once including those cool Scottish women so often ignored in history books, Moodie presents his collection ‘in an order deliberately designed to jolt your little minds out of their preconceived ideas of time’. You’ll leap between modern day musicians and 18th century science writers at the turn of each delightfully glossy page.
Lavishly illustrated throughout, Moodie celebrates Scotland’s achievements, revels in its victories and occasionally blends fact and fiction.
First published 2018 ISBN: 978-1-912147-20-5 The author’s right to be identified as author of this book under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 has been asserted. The paper used in this book is recyclable. It is made from low chlorine pulps produced in a low energy, low emission manner from renewable forests. Design and layout by Greg Moodie. Printed and bound by Gomer Press, Llandysul © Greg Moodie 2018 www.gregmoodie.com
INTRODUCTION There is an old Scottish saying: Some are born cool, some achieve coolness, and some have coolness thrust upon them. At least I think it’s Scottish. It doesn’t matter. The point is, there is no shortage of cool in Scotland, and narrowing it down to 42 exemplary individuals has taken a great deal of graft and some heated debate at the Torphichen Inn. Best buckle up. In 2016, I produced a series of murals at said hostelry (they didn’t ask me to, I did it when they weren’t looking), based on the Robert Burns poem, ‘Tam O’ Shanter’. With six panels complete and no idea what to do with the seventh, longsuffering landlord Mr Kenny spotted my handiwork and suggested a portrait of the artist. I was flattered that he would welcome my permanent presence on the tavern wall as well as my permanent presence at the bar. He said he meant Burns, and declared loudly to the Torphy throng that I was a dullard of the highest standing. I was touched. I agreed to do his bidding, and believe he was expecting tartan, heather, and all the other things you only ever see on the Royal Mile. But the following week, when I revealed my psychedelic Beano-wielding Burns, I nevertheless sensed that he was pleased. At least after the initial fainting and hysteria. Several days passed and a recuperating Mr Kenny had received feedback from The Village People, the bleary-eyed residents of the Torphichen Free Republic. ‘They say it’s ‘cool’,’ he offered hesitantly. ‘What does that mean?’ ‘It means it’s a work of unparalleled splendour,’ I replied. ‘You’re very lucky to have made the boozy acquaintance of the genius behind it.’ He seemed confused, but that’s a default state in this part of the world. It got me thinking. If a single Cool Scot could cause a stocky bald man to lose consciousness, imagine the impact of a series. I set about compiling a list, trying to limit the number of beards and old blokes who appear on teatowels. That’s when it struck me. Scots may have invented the entire world, even discovered parts of space, but according to the history books, they were all guys.
- Page 3: ABOUT THE AUTHOR Greg Moodie is the
- Page 8 and 9: That’s right slackers, the story
- Page 10 and 11: MARGO MACDONALD • 28 ANDREW CARNE
- Page 12: ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL (1847-1922) S
First published 2018<br />
ISBN: 978-1-912147-20-5<br />
The author’s right to be identified as author of this book<br />
under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 has<br />
been asserted.<br />
The paper used in this book is recyclable. It is made from<br />
low chlorine pulps produced in a low energy, low emission<br />
manner from renewable forests.<br />
Design and layout <strong>by</strong> <strong>Greg</strong> <strong>Moodie</strong>.<br />
Printed and bound <strong>by</strong> Gomer Press, Llandysul<br />
© <strong>Greg</strong> <strong>Moodie</strong> 2018<br />
www.gregmoodie.com
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