Ian Spring

I am a writer, historian and publisher based in Perth. I worked in universities throughout the UK and I am an experienced speaker. My publications include two books on Glasgow, three books on folk song and two volumes of short stories. My publications can be easily accessed on the web.

I am happy to talk about aspects Glasgow, blending history and biography and Scottish folk song. I can give readings from my short stories and also poetry. I have edited the work of Mary Symon, Crombie Saunders and Freddy Anderson and speak on their work. As the founder of a Scottish small press, I can talk about various aspects of publishing.

My current research is into modern Scottish cultural history and I can talk about aspects of this. Some topics I have spoken on include: depictions of St Kilda, discovering the Scottish mountains, Scottish icons, Scottish urban fiction and the work of Alasdair Gray.

I also write crime fiction under the name Simpson Grears and I am happy to speak about this and read from my detective short stories.