Something very special for Christmas – Alexander McCall Smith poems at the Westminster Carols by Candlelight MS concert, 2025 – with Simon Callow among the illustrious readers At the link below, you will find readings of four of Sandy’s poems (new) at the Westminster Carols by Candlelight MS concert which took place last week, including […]

We hope you enjoy this personal and heartfelt Christmas message from Alexander to you, his reader… Dear Readers, Here we are, once again on the very doorstep of Christmas. And in the room beyond that doorstep, is the New Year, ready to declare itself with soaring rockets and the linking of hands in song. The […]

“Do not be discouraged, this world Is just as beautiful, just as good As it was before those who would make it otherwise Began their work; at the end of the day, Dear friends, love and the peace that goes with love, Will, triumph over those other things. That make most of us so very […]

It’s almost Christmas and the first third – EIGHT doors – of Alexander McCall Smith’s Advent Calendar of Joy are all now live. Take a peek on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You will find inspirational and uplifting cheer as a new door swings open every day. OR, in case social is not really your thing, […]

We’ve been working hard on a Scotland Street (mostly!) Advent calendar to fill your days with good cheer. You can catch it every day until Christmas Eve on Facebook. Quotes, characters, readings, animated images and more – all great fun!

Three months ago, the features editor at prestigious monthly magazine Harper’s Bazaar invited four of their favourite writers to contribute a short, uplifting story for their January edition (out now). The writers were Marina Lewycka, Tahmima Anam, Hannah Rothschild and our own, Alexander McCall Smith. The four stories are published under the umbrella title ‘Slices […]

Seasonal treats not to be missed – Alexander McCall Smith’s Christmas story was published in the ‘i’ on 26 December. Take a moment to enjoy by clicking on this link. He also had one of the top Christmas Day slots for his short story on BBC Radio 4 (and three other slots in Christmas week). […]

Alexander McCall Smith, or Sandy to his friends and readers, has achieved many things this year but top of the list has to be the Christmas Day slot on BBC Radio 4 for one of his delightful short stories. And that is just one of four of his stories that will be available to listeners […]

In a week long celebration of Christmas, Alexander offers readers and listeners a Christmas treat to cherish. Alexander has written five original Christmas short stories for the BBC, to be broadcast from 19-23 December, 2016. Listen live at 10.45pm (UK) each night on BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime  or catch up online on BBC Radio […]