It is one of the benchmarks of a culture I always think – the page at which it operates. A good way to measure it is to order a taxi and see how irate local people get if it is late.

Books have a vital place in our culture. They are the source of ideas, of stories that engage and stretch the imagination and most importantly, inspire.

An Aunt is a safe haven for a child. Someone who will keep your secrets and is always on your side.

Scotland consistently produces world-class writers.

The sky was a sparkling succession of black diamonds on black velvet made crystal clear by the blackout.

At the end of the day, that's what a family is - a group of different people who accept each other.

My father could talk about the Romany way of life and its culture. He could talk about freedom and the Scottish spirit. But that was all he could talk about. I was desperate for someone to talk to but there was just nobody there.