About Iain Finlay

Iain Finlay Macleod is a writer. He comes from the Isle of Lewis on the west coast of Scotland. He writes for theatre, film and radio. He has also published three novels.

Brought up on the island, Iain Finlay is a native Gaelic speaker and this is evident in his work. Playing with language, with meaning, exploring identity are all important themes in his writing.

Theatre

Iain Finlay was encouraged to write at a young age by his uncle, Dr Finlay Macleod, a dramatist and writer of childrens’ books. His first experience of making theatre came at the National Gaelic Youth Theatre in the early nineties.

From there he attended The International School for Writers, Actors and Directors at the Royal Court Theatre, London in 1994. He began submitting work to the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, who have been very influential in developing his work.

Film & Television

Iain Finlay was one of the writing team on the recent Gaelic Feature Film “Seachd - The Innaccessible Pinnacle”. This film was nominated for two Baftas, Best Screenplay and Best Film.

He has written and directed two shorts “Colours” and “Flat”. Many years ago he worked on the soap opera “Machair”, and he has worked as a script doctor on a number of other projects. He is currently developing a film with Chris Young of Young Films.

Radio

Iain Finlay is a relative newcomer to radio drama, but loves the form and the freedom that it gives.

He was given a break by attending the BBC Radio Drama Course, run by David Ian Neville. He was then commissioned to adapt a short story by a female writer for Radio Four Women’s Hour. He chose to do “The Kitchen Child” by Angela Carter.

Fiction

Iain Finlay has had three novels published, all in the Gaelic language.

CHOPPER - A short novel for young people about a war journalist.

THE KLONDYKERS - A novel set in Ulapool at the time of the Cold War. A love story about a Russian girl on one of the Russian boats and a local man.

THE BOUNTY - A novel based on the story of James Morrison, the first man from the Western Isles to join the Royal Navy. He was on the ship HMS Bounty at the time of the Mutiny.