Some of you may already know that I’ve worked at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh for many years now and in many different capacities. In my opinion, it is the most beautiful theatre in Edinburgh. This year I was commissioned to supply an image for their Christmas card. Drawing inspiration from the stunning Victorian interior and the sumptuous red and gold stage curtain, I decided to go with a Vaudeville theme. The Lyceum has had many real life dogs tread its boards along with the human actors. I feel quite certain that at some point there must’ve been a little terrier like the one in “The Curtain Call”.

Cards can be purchased from The Lyceum Box Office in packs of 6, priced at £5 per pack. Hurry while stocks last!!!

Earlier this year I was commissioned by The National Museum of Scotland to produce an illustration of “The Skye Boat Song”, to be used on a new range of merchandise. This was to coincide with their 2017 summer/autumn exhibition, “Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites”. I found doing the research for this project fascinating and it was wonderful to finally meet the talented calligrapher, Susie Leiper, who supplied the Jacobean script for the first verse of the song. For many years I’ve heard Susie’s name as I’ve often been asked if we’re related. I can now confirm officially that we’re not but Helen, who commissioned us both, says she’s delighted to have some Leiper Leiper products in the museum shop.

To date our image has been made into a print (£6.99), card (£2.75) and tea towel (£8.99). A mug is also in the production pipelines. All are available from the National Museum of Scotland shop.