Duncan Gillies

Duncan Gillies, or Donnchadh MacGillIosa in Scottish Gaelic, was born in Glasgow. Soon after his birth his parents returned with him to their native Knockaird, near Ness on the Isle of Lewis. After completing school in Stornoway, Duncan left the island to study at the University of Aberdeen where he graduated and then moved to London where he lives and works to this day.

As his love of the Gaelic language deepened along with a developing creative talent in writing, he approached the University of Glasgow's then Celtic Department to publish a short book of translations from Shakespeare's Seven Sonnets in 1988. Since then, he has gone on to write several more published books to wide acclaim. His short story collection, Màiri Dhall agus Sgeulachdan Eile was shortlisted for the Saltire Society's 2013 Best Scottish Book award. He has also worked extensively with BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and BBC Alba, with his audio books and interviews providing a significant and widely respected level of unique insight and authenticity into the Gaelic language and culture.