‘A poignant tour de force that lays bare the complexities of both of its central characters, Remember the Rowan honours their brilliance while examining their flaws with curiosity and compassion. As a poet herself, MacQuarrie scarcely wastes a word, writing with shining clarity. Every sentence is exquisitely worked, every detail in some way significant…’
Alastair Mabbott, The Herald
My debut novel, Remember the Rowan, inspired by the true story of the 'some-requited' love between Kathleen Raine and Gavin Maxwell, was published by Ringwood in 2024, with a special edition published by Red Squirrel Press in 2025. Remember the Rowan was a finalist in the People's Book Prize and longlisted for the Highland Book Prize.
‘MacQuarrie’s deep research into the life of twentieth century poet Kathleen Raine offers a brilliant reappraisal of a woman feted in life for her literary talent yet almost completely forgotten in Scotland today. Absolutely alive with emotion, this impressive first novel will help to ensure that Raine is remembered as the hugely talented and inspirational writer she was.’
Sara Sheridan, author of The Fair Botanists
As editor of the UK’s first book dedicated to Feminist Librarianship (Facet Publishing, 2026), I have appeared in The Bookseller and on BBC Woman’s Hour evidencing why I believe that cuts and closures to libraries – staffed by a workforce that is 75% female, with women 36% more likely than men to use our services – are not just misguided but, in impact, misogynistic. My writing has also been published by New Writing Scotland, Scottish Poetry Library, Gutter Magazine, The Dark Horse, Scottish PEN, the Women's History Network, Bluestocking Oxford, Postbox Magazine, Edinburgh Literary Salon, Stand Magazine, the Young Women's Movement, the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, and others.
‘A beautifully written book in which, reminiscent of Hilary Mantel at her best, MacQuarrie uses the real lives of historical figures as a jumping-off point to write a touching and engaging story of poetry and writing, of the inspirational power of nature and of an all-encompassing, overwhelming love... in its sadness is a real beauty which reveals MacQuarrie as the new author to watch for the Scottish audience.’
Kavan P. Stafford, Bella Caledonia
I have been shortlisted for a Vogue Magazine Young Talent Award, selected as an Editor's Choice for the John Byrne Award, highly commended in the Michael Round Prize, a prizewinner in the Federation of Writers Scotland Vernal Equinox competition, and twice winner of the Glasgow Women's Library Poetry Prize. I have also served twice as a Non-Fiction judge for Scotland's National Book Awards, presenting an award at the national ceremony.
In my spare time, I volunteer for the Scottish SPCA, the nation’s only all-animal emergency service, and I was named UK Animal Charity Volunteer of the Year 2026.
