Professor Tom Devine to explore Scots identity in Festival of Politics

A leading Scots academic is set to discuss the relationship between ‘Scottishness’ and ‘Britishness’ at the Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics (24-26 August).

Professor Tom Devine, Glucksman Research Professor of Irish & Scottish Studies at the University of Aberdeen, will explore “the making of modern Scottish identity” at the Festival – the first event of its kind at Holyrood.

The Festival aims to bring together politics, media and the arts, through a programme of debates, workshops and high-profile speakers.

The author of an international best seller, The Scottish Nation (1999), Professor Devine will take the floor of the Parliament’s Debating Chamber to examine Scotland’s role in the UK in the 21st century.

Speaking ahead of his session, entitled ‘Scottish Identity: The Death and Reinvention of Scotland’, Professor Devine said he was excited to be speaking at the Parliament.

He said: “The Festival of Politics is an excellent initiative. I am honoured to be part of it. My talk, among other aspects, explores the vigorous survival of Scottish identity within the Union, and I think, contains a few surprises.”

Other distinguished guests set to appear at the three-day Festival include BBC broadcaster Andrew Marr, film-maker David Puttnam, Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave, politicians Neil Kinnock and Shirley Williams, and many more.

The Festival will also bring music and theatre to Holyrood, with the Debating Chamber hosting its first ever play courtesy of Anne Lorne Gillies. Writer and musician Pat Kane and Rise Kagona, founder member of African band The Bhundu Boys, are also on the bill.