15th December 2026
Anna Marshall is the author of The Little Book of Christmas and Hogmanay and The 44 Scotland Street Cookbook. Did you know that Christmas was banned in Scotland for nearly 400 years? Or that first footers in Dundee used to give a gift of a herring in a fish dress at Hogmanay? Do you know the origin of the Loony Dook, the true meaning of ‘Deck the Halls’, or how the residents kept the Biggar Bonfire burning even during the WWII blackouts? Would you like to recreate Big Lou’s “Off the Record” bacon rolls, Angus Lordie’s famous cheese scones or Bertie’s much-loved Panforte di Siena? Join Anna to explore eclectic festive traditions and 44 Scotland Street inspired recipes.
Biography
Anna Marshall is an arts administrator, events organiser, freelance publicist and fundraiser. She works closely with Jan Rutherford at Publicity & The Printed Word. Together they produce the events programme for Alexander McCall Smith, and work on The Great Tapestry of Scotland (delivering thirteen major exhibitions to date, attracting more than 340,000 visitors). She is on the steering group for Emerging Critics and is the newest member of the Board. Anna is also an author and historian and is currently writing a book with Kirstie Campbell exploring contemporary embroidery inspiration through Scotland’s textile heritage. Anna lives on a farm in the Scottish Borders, farming sheep and cows and publishing ‘Lambsperation’ recipes on the farm’s website.
The Little Book of Christmas and Hogmanay (2025) is a joyous miscellany that showcases the creative, elaborate and sometimes downright bizarre aspects of Scottish Christmas and New Year, from the ancient past to the more recent present. It is packed with tradition, lore and legend, as well as poems, stories, carols, recipes, history, jokes and fun facts, and would make for the ideal stocking filler! A wee teaser….. “Whipkull (or whipkül) is Shetland’s answer to eggnog. The drink is thought to originate in Scandinavia and is traditionally made with cream, eggs, nutmeg and rum. People have also been known to substitute rum for whisky. It is drunk at the end of a Yule feast and sometimes even as a breakfast drink on New Year’s Day.”
Anna has been working with Alexander McCall Smith for over 13 years, giving her an intimate knowledge of the 44 Scotland Street series. She is the author of The 44 Scotland Street Cookbook (2023), inspired by the bestselling series. Share some of the meals enjoyed by his characters. This book includes recipes for Bertie Pollock’s favourite Panforte di Siena, Big Lou’s shortbread and Domenica’s mushroom risotto as well as dishes on the menu at Matthew and Elspeth’s wedding breakfast and the ‘convivial gatherings’ that end each novel.
