Allan Campbell McLean

Allan Campbell McLean (1922– 1989) was a British writer and political activist. He originally came from Lancashire, but he lived in Scotland for many years. His writings include The Glass House, based on his own experiences in a military prison, and the children's novels The Hill of the Red Fox, Master of Morgana, The Year of the Stranger, The Man of the House (as Storm over Skye in the US), and A Sound of Trumpets.

Biography

Allan Campbell McLean was born in 1922. After World War Two he wrote about his experiences of war in his novel The Glass House, and then turned his attention wholly to writing.

He was also involved in the Scottish Labour Party for several years. He was vocal in his opposition to devolution, and support for prison reform.

Plot summary

The Hill of the Red Fox: It is the time of the Cold War. Soviet spies are feared, and secrets are traded. People disappear. Thirteen-year-old Alasdair, living in London, knows nothing of this world. He can't wait to start his long summer holiday on the Isle of Skye, away from his mother and aunt. But things don't go quite as planned. On the journey, a stranger gives him a mysterious note before jumping from the train. Worse still, he instantly mistrusts sinister Murdo Beaton, with whom he's staying. Gradually adjusting to crofting life, Alasdair is not prepared for the web of danger and espionage that unfolds around him.

Ribbon of Fire: It's 1884 and the population of Skye is already greatly depleted by the Highland Clearances, and likely to suffer more from absent landlords and their greedy factors. Alasdair Stewart finds himself caught up in the rebellious activities of the menfolk, as they fight to keep their homes and their traditional way of life. But all actions have consequences as Alasdair finds out to his cost. Why is it that all their plans seem to be known to the authorities? Is there a traitor among the rebels? Doesn't the landlord want peace and prosperity for the land? Hidden for days in the wildest and most remote part of the island it looks like there is no hope for the people of Skye, until the landlord's proud and spirited daughter chances upon their hideaway with near fatal results.

Critical acclaim

Oscar Marzaroli speaking to Jennie Renton about the inspiration for Shades of Grey. "You’ve also worked closely with writers in making films, and had a particularly fruitful relationship with Allan Campbell McLean."

During the Seventies we worked together on six or seven documentaries about the Highlands from Shetland to Tiree. We went to Out Skerries, a community of 80 people; they were more Scandinavian than Scot and their speech was so guttural I could hardly understand them. But Allan has a marvelous gift; whomever he talks to, whether a crofter from the Out Skerries or a salmon fisherman from Skye, he puts them at their ease and draws out the best in them. I found our collaboration very exciting. He fired my imagination. For example, his description of the steps at Whaligoe in Caithness for Explore the Highlands and Islands brought the past right into the present for me; going down these steps I felt I might meet one of the locals on the way up laden with chunks of whale blubber or whatever. Because of being with Allan, I read everything he had written and could relate to it all particularly strongly. I could tune in to what he was about. One of his major pieces of work, The Glasshouse, stands outside the realm that he’s mostly known for. It’s a novel based on his experiences in the army during the Second World War. It gave him nothing but trouble at the time. They wouldn’t publish in America for many years because of a few four letter words, and he being the man he is would not change these words. Perhaps because of all this, his work developed in another direction. Although The Glasshouse was a failure in terms of publishing, it was a great success in terms of literature. It should be made into a film.