Five Dumfries & Galloway poets made the journey up to Brownsbank Cottage last weekend. Once the home of Hugh MacDiarmid, Brownsbank Cottage was taking part in Lanarkshire's Doors Open Days event, and welcoming visitors.
Hugh MacDiarmid lived there for a quarter of a century, and was much visited, so perhaps he would have appreciated the tiny cottage packed with poets on Sunday. Tom Bryan, current holder of the Brownsbank Writing Fellowship, was a warm and welcoming host. The Dumfries & Galloway contingent, all performers in this year's Poetry Doubles series, were Andrew Forster, Angus Macmillan, Laura Helyer, Hugh Bryden and Jean Atkin.
On these occasions poetry is traditionally read under the rowan tree in the garden, but the unseasonable temperatures confined most readings to the summer house...however Andy Forster can be seen braving the testing conditions.
Kohi Forest, Auckland, New Zealand
6 days ago
