Official website of writer, Laura Hird

TYNIE TALK @laurahird.com

Come in and meet the staff and regulars in my local pub, The Tynecastle Arms

 

RELATED LINKS

ARTHUR'S SEAT

Click the image to visit PhotoGuide to Edinburgh site for some stunning photos of Edinburgh, taken from Arthur's Seat

THE EMPIRE THEATRE

Click image to enlarge and send as postcard or to read about the old Empire's transformation to The Festival Theatre, click here
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST
Click image for Filmsite.org's excellent article on the classic 1975 film, 'One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest,' or to read reviews and add your own, click here
SLADE
Click image for the Slade Weer All Crazee Website or to listen to tracks from Noddy and the boys, click here
LEO SAYER

Click image to visit the official website of Leo Sayer, or to listen to sound clips from Leo, click here
CAT STEVENS
Click image for loads of links, articles and clips plus audio interview with Yusuf Islam on the official website of Cat Stevens, or to listen to his music, click here
THE SENSATIONAL ALEX HARVEY BAND
Although it's over 20 years since the tragic death of Alex Harvey, his spirit lives on in this excellent tribute site (click image) or to listen to music by the great man, click here
ALICE COOPER
Details of live dates and general Alicemania on Alice Cooper's official website (click image) or to listen to Alice, click here
THIN LIZZY

Click image for official Thin Lizzy website, or to listen to tracks from the band, click here
SPARKS
Click image for official home of the legendary band Sparks and all the latest on brothers Ron and Russell, or to listen to the band, click here
QUEEN
Click image for official Queen website, to download albums and watch videos, or to view the album, 'A Kind of Magic' on Amazon, click here
WAR OF THE WORLDS
Click image to visit The Complete War of the Worlds website, to listen to the infamous broadcast and play online games based on the classic album, or to listen to sound clips from the remixed album on Amazon, click here
THE WHO
Click image to visit The Who online resource with links to official websites of all band members and a selection of fan sites, or to listen to sound clips from the 'Who's Next' album, click here
DAVID BOWIE
Click image to visit the official Bowie website, frequented by the man himself; to read about Aladdin Sane including all the lyrics, click here, or to listen to sound clips from the album, click, here
ROXY MUSIC
Click image to visit the Roxy Music Archive website; for the Roxyrama website, click here, or to listen to sound clips from the 'For Your Pleasure,' click here
U2
Click image to visit the official U2 website; for @U2, an excellent U2 fansite, click here, or to listen to sound clips from the 'The Unforgettable Fire,' click here
BILLY CONNOLLY
Click image to visit the official Billy Connolly website; for tour dates and animations on the tickety boo website, click here, or for Billy Connolly DVD's, books and CD's on Amazon, click here
HITCHHIKERS GUIDE TO THE GALAXY
Click image to visit the BBC guide to the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy; to read about the book and cult television programme on Douglas Adams official website, click here, or for lavish reviews of the DVD on Amazon, click here
RED DWARF
Click image to visit the official Red Dwarf website; to read reviews and link to other Red Dwarf sites, visit the Pile o' Smeg website, here, or for reviews of Series 7 on Amazon, click here
MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL
Click image to visit the Python Online, the official Monty Python website; to do a quiz to find out what Monty Python character you are, click here, or for reviews of the film on Amazon, click here
BLAZING SADDLES
Click image to read about Blazing Saddles on the FIlm Site; to listen to sound clips from the film on the Lady of the Cake website, click here, or for reviews of the film on Amazon, click here
PORRIDGE
Click image to visit the unofficial homepage of the classic British TV comedy, Porridge, click image; for an episode guide and cast list, click here, or to order DVD's of the programme on Amazon, click here




The Uncivil Civil Servant


My interview with George McFie





Born: 25 December 1954 at Craigtune Maternity Pavillion, Edinburgh

Q: When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A: I always wanted to work on the railways, but apart from a year there, ended up being a spark. Mind you, sometimes it was so cold on the railways out at Millerhill, you used to have to piss on your hands to keep them warm

Q: When/why did you first start drinking in the Tynecastle Arms?

A: I first became a regular in the pub about 5 years ago. I original went in because the pub was open. Is that not reason enough?

Why do you keep going in?:

A: There's a interesting mix of good craic and grumpy bastards

What are your favourite television comedy shows of all time?:

A: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Brittas Empire, Not the 9 O'clock News, Porridge, Red Dwarf, The Vital Spark...

And your favourite film comedies of all time?:

A: National Lampoon's Animal House (I still watch it at least once a month,) Spaceballs, Blazing Saddles and Monty Python and the Holy Grail

What's your idea of a perfect day?:

A: I'd be on a Greek island, any of the Greek islands, sipping ale

Q: What 10 records would you take on your Greek island with you?

1. Jeff Wayne - War of the Worlds

2. Billy Connolly - Solo

3. U2 - The Unforgettable Fire

4. Queen - A Kind of Magic

5. The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - The Impossible Dream

6. The Who - Who's Next

7. Sparks - Kimono My House

8. Roxy Music - For Your Pleasure

9. David Bowie - Aladdin Sane

10. Cat Stevens - Matthew and Son

Q: What book would you take on your Greek island with you?

A: Stephen King - The Stand

Q: Who would be your ideal companion on your Greek island?

A: Billy Connolly

Q: What unlimited resource would you take with you?

A: Lots of McEwans Export

Q: What is your favourite tipple?

A: A pint of export and a dark rum, thanks

Q: What is your favourite film?

A: 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'

Q: What place in Edinburgh do you think every visitor to the city should see?

A: Aside from the Tynecastle Arms, probably Arthur Seat

Q: What don't you like about Edinburgh?

A: Ignorance, snobbery and people rushing about, not talking

Q: If the Scottish Parliament asked you to change or set up one law that you think would make Edinburgh a better place to live, what would that law be?

A: I'd change the divorce laws and make it quicker for divorces to go through the courts. Also, I'd demolish that monstrosity at Holyrood and have the Scottish Parliament where it was supposed to be - at Calton House

Q: If you could go back in time and live one day of your life again, what day would that be?

A: It would have to be the day my dad died, so I could get the chance to say sorry. He died in 1964 and to this day, I still miss him. I'd love to be able to take him for a pint. I never got the chance before he died as I was too young. I would have loved just to have been able to do that. My favourite teacher, from Warout Primary School in Glenrothes, Mr McKellar, and my dad both died on the same day - Valentine's Day 1964

GEORGE'S 5 FAVOURITE GIGS

 1. Alice Cooper at the Empire. It was his Billion Dollar Babies tour and was absolutely fantastic. The best concert ever

2. Slade at the Empire. They were supported by Suzi Quatro and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Alex Harvey was third on the bill. Shocking

3. Leo Sayer at the Usher Hall in the 70's

4. Queen at the Edinburgh Odeon and the old Empire

5. Thin Lizzy at the Empire. Bring back the fucking Empire. All the decent rock concerts in the 70's were either in the Empire of the Odeon


MISSING - PRESUMED DRUNK

Interviewees may nominate up to 2 old friends they would like to get in touch with again

Curly nominated:

Tam Louis - was the best man at my wedding. The last I heard he was living in Broadford on the Isle of Skye about 4 years ago.

John Watson - Used to stay in MacDuff Gardens in Glenrothes. We went to school together. The last time I saw him was when I left secondary school in 1967-68


View My Guestbook
Sign My Guestbook


© 2003 Laura Hird All rights reserved.