Raine Day 2025

14th June 2025 marks what would have been Dr Kathleen Raine's 117th birthday and the first Raine Day for which my novel, Remember the Rowan, inspired by her life and work, is officially out in the world: as Kathleen herself might say, part of our 'here and now'!

Since preorders opened this time last year, I could easily choose 100+ highlights in Kathleen's honour, but out of a commitment to concision (news to all who have read Rowan!) I've narrowed it down to the 17 below. Read on to relive the Rainedrop magic of the past twelve months, be the first to learn an exclusive about the novel's exciting next chapter, and win a signed copy for you or a loved one!

1. A live highlight, with the shortlist due to be announced later this month, appearing on The Highland Book Prize longlist has been the greatest honour of my writing career so far. Sharing shelf space with lifelong literary inspirations like Ali Smith has been an unanticipated privilege of writing Rowan and I’ve especially admired the prize ethos of community, collaboration and allowing each longlister to enjoy their moment in the sun. In my case, that led to…

2. On Saturday 12th April, chaired by the Highland Book Prize’s Kirsteen Bell and introduced by Eilean Ban Trustee Sara Taylor, I joined an audience of expert Maxwellians - including those who remember the Major personally - to read from and reflect on Remember the Rowan in the real-life setting of Gavin Maxwell’s lighthouse cottage, where Kathleen Raine and he last met. To hear my words mingling with hers in the final home of the man she loved was truly one of the most moving moments of my life. Thank you for welcoming me so warmly, Eilean Ban - I can’t wait to return!

3. Another literary location with strong Maxwell antecedents that I was thrilled to visit this year was Wigtown: in sight of Gavin’s famous (or for Rowan readers, infamous) family estate Monreith as well as the otterly adorable monument that pays tribute to his nature writing. Joining the Wigtown Spring Weekend was a total treat - from fascinating conversation with my chair, Jessica Fox, to visiting the legendary Old Bank Bookshop and, courtesy of Reading Lasses, enjoying the most fabulous feminist green room I’ve ever encountered (complete with cake)!

4. Voted for exclusively by readers? Count me in! It was a treat to see Rowan longlisted and later become a finalist in The People’s Book Prize, particularly when it inspired book events at two terrific library locations: Hillhead in Glasgow and Dundee Central Library. Fun and games ensued - guess the review, anyone? - as I joined forces with my fellow Ringwood longlisters Maureen Cullen and Rebecca Brown, with the latter scooping the Frederick Forsyth Award. Congratulations Rebecca! And speaking of reviews…

5. 'MacQuarrie's wonderful turns of phrase create beautiful imagery. I often felt like I was right there with the characters, and nature is almost a character itself within the story. How do you create this magic?'

   
   

   It was magical to correspond with Westender's Tracey McCallum and see Rowan featured in this Glaswegian go-to. As a bonus, lucky readers enjoyed 10% off Rowan at Byres Road Waterstones for two whole months!

   
   

6. ‘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.’

   
   

   Fellow librarian Kavan P. Stafford's review of Rowan for Bella Caledonia was likewise a highlight of the year - if not my entire career!

   
   

   

7. ​‘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…’

   
   

   

   
   

   Last but certainly not least, no Rowan review highlights trio would be complete without Alastair Mabbott's wonderful words in The Herald, delighting both the poet and the prose writer within me!

   
   

   

   
   

8. Who better than Publishing Scotland to showcase the debuts to know during Book Week Scotland: our nation’s annual celebration of all things literary? The only challenge I faced was choosing one 2024 read to recommend…

   
   

9. 'It is so beautifully written, poetic and moving. I absolutely loved it. I felt so close to Kathleen and related to her a lot - the complexity of her character, the highs and the lows, the emotional depth and the beauty of expression... There were lots of times when I had to just stop and think about a sentence that made my heart ache... I've not enjoyed a book that much in a long time. I keep recommending it to my friends!'

   
   

   'Having been a fan of Kathleen Raine's poetry for most of my life, I absolutely loved this and could not put it down. A beautifully written and incredibly moving story about the complex nature of love, relationships and the power of poetry and nature to sustain us. Wonderful.'

   
   

   'A truly important novel, placing a long-forgotten and even long-disdained female writer back into the public eye. Beautiful prose and agonising (in the best way) emotional back-and-forths and complex relationships abound. Go read!'

   
   

   'The book is really amazing; a kind of meditation on love, misunderstanding and forgiveness. Not only are the characters rich and fully developed, but the nature writing is beautiful. And if you are going to write the last great Gavin Maxwell book (which I think MacQuarrie has) then you have to be able to do the nature writing!'

   
   

   'What a powerful and emotive book! I absolutely loved reading it. It's always so wonderful to read a book that you're enjoying so much you don't actually want it to end, but you also just can't put it down. I've read it twice now, as I just found it so incredibly moving to be immersed in Kathleen's world with her. I started to note down my favourite lines as I was reading, until I realised it was basically going to be the entire book!'

Reader reviews.

The only words left are 'thank you'.

10. My Alma Mater as a librarian, South Lanarkshire Libraries will be forever close to my heart as both a writer and a reader, which is why I jumped at the chance to join their SLIC Award commended portable podcast, Lending Voices. Braving exceptionally icy weather - a common theme of my autumn/winter book events! - attendees gathered at East Kilbride Library to watch as journalistic stars of tomorrow Caite-Faith and James gave me a literary grilling (in the best possible way)!

11. On the subject of inclement conditions, check out the smiles of an author and her chair who made it against the odds to Edinburgh Central Library for Rowan’s east side launch! I could cheerfully chat with the brilliant Ruth Boreham anytime, rain or shine. And as readers of highlight 17 will soon discover, Kathleen was likewise unafraid to face hail or high/bright water in the course of her devotion to poetry…

12. Another Edinburgh escapade, this time to the ultra-cool and suitably festive surroundings of Typewronger bookshop last December. The conversation this time came courtesy of my Ringwood righthand woman Felicity Deacon: mark my words, a name to watch amongst publishing professionals!

    
    

13. In at lucky thirteen is the launch, and the library, that started it all… publication day for Rowan took place at Glasgow’s iconic Mitchell Library with a full house of friends, family and fellow library pros (who was minding the front desk?) A champion of Kathleen’s story since the beginning - specifically, since we first met at the Soutar Festival way back in 2023 - I spoke with the spectacular Sara Sheridan about all things herstorical fiction and amplifying women’s voices past, present and future.

    
    

    

14. Voices were likewise the focus of my next three-in-one highlight: appearing thrice on the Ringwood Publishing Podcast! From a Rowan special to The People’s Book Prize audio party and, just last month, the power of place in person and on the page, I've loved waxing lyrical about why Kathleen’s “Wisdom of Words” should be cherished by a new generation of readers in Scotland and beyond. Listen again!

    
    

15. The Nature Library in Irvine, where I am lucky enough to serve as a Trustee, lies at the roots of Rowan’s emergence into the world and offered the perfect place for the launch of preorders last Raine Day. In discussion with Barbara Hepworth aficionado and Nature Library founder Christina Riley, I shared my precious first edition of Kathleen’s debut poetry collection Stone and Flower, complete with illustrations by Hepworth. What a night! Nor was it the only Nature Library highlight last year…

16. With weather yet again threatening to scupper my best laid literary plans, The Nature Library went online for my winter conversation with award-winning poet (and my own ‘man of light’, as Kathleen would say) Gerry Cambridge. Listen below! And for fans of partnerships in life, love and literature…

17. ‘Among the truly outstanding poetry magazines of the English-speaking world’ (don’t just take my word for it; listen to Dennis O’Driscoll!) there could be no finer home for my latest non-fiction Rainedrop research than the upcoming summer/autumn issue of The Dark Horse. Subscribe now and be the first to read “The Conflicted Spirit of Kathleen Raine”.

    
    

    

BONUS NEWS:

Looking through Gavin Maxwell's very own Kyleakin telescope, I spy an announcement... after a dazzling first year with Ringwood, I am delighted to share that a new edition of Remember the Rowan is coming soon, courtesy of legendary Scottish publisher Red Squirrel Press! From an otter holt to a squirrel drey, this new chapter in my story’s story will bring Kathleen’s voice and vision to new audiences across the nation. Shall I spill another secret? A simply stunning new cover is already taking shape… subscribe here and be the first to know more.

What was your highlight from The Year One (Rainedrop injoke!) of Remember the Rowan? Spread the word to be in with the chance of winning a signed first edition copy!

To be in it to win it, please email me at glasgowgallerina@gmail.com before midnight on Saturday 21st June with Raine Day in the subject line and details of your chosen dedication/delivery address. For a bonus entry, you can also share on social media - be sure to tag me on Instagram @glasgowgallerina!