Bernard MacLaverty

I am a writer from Ireland who lived nearby. I became friendly with Alasdair over the years as a frequently beaten chess opponent, a listener to his wisdom and a person mesmerised by his learning.

What does Alasdair Gray mean to you?

Explain yourself?

To sum up Alasdair in 3 words is an impossible task but worth the effort of failing. Three words are too few. Three paragraphs would not be enough to describe him.

Anything else about Alasdair you’d like to add?

His laugh. Half way between a hoot and a screech - it was a turner of heads. His laugh could silence a bar or a room, sometimes it could even bring the street to a halt.