2 h. ago Irvine Welsh slams Nicola Sturgeon for shoving trans beliefs "down people's throats"

Welsh, 66, believes the former first minister was wrong in her attempts to allow people to self-identify as women while she was in government.

Politics

8 h. ago Irvine Welsh: Reality Is Not Enough review – a candid portrait of a literary one

Paul Sng’s documentary finds the Trainspotting author as funny, sharp and unrepentant as ever – from boyhood in Leith to globetrotting fame and a hallucinogenic trip in CanadaNo one would reject the title of national treasure more fiercely, but more good-humouredly, than Irvine Welsh. The brilliant Scottish writer and creator of Trainspotting takes centre-stage in Paul Sng’s documentary with just the same unassumingly athletic ease as in all of his other public appearances. For someone who has done as much drink and drugs and as many late nights as Welsh, he looks very good.This film is a great way to round off the Edinburgh film festival; Welsh is, after all, Edinburgh’s greatest living public figure. His 60s childhood in Leith and Muirhouse was followed by a spell in London, then twentysomething years back in Edinburgh during the 80s, studying at Heriot-Watt and working for the council, during which time he began to write. Continue reading...

Politics

14 h. ago Irvine Welsh says psychedelic drug proves there is 'life before and after death'

The Trainspotting author can be seen taking DMT in a new documentary about his life and career

Events

38 h. ago Irvine Welsh: Edinburgh Festival is great but I’m more excited about Hibs

Reality is Not Enough, a documentary about the Trainspotting author and his take on consciousness, will close the International Film Festival.

Politics

2 d. ago The Real Housewives of London is finally here but there's one red flag

The Real Housewives of London is a must-watch for reality TV fans - but I have one warning before you tune in

Politics

5 d. ago Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser review – how did television ever sink so low?

Cruelty. Contestants who have abuse screamed in their face. Cash prizes. This documentary about a horrific 00s weight-loss reality TV series in the US makes for deeply troubling watchingThe mid-2000s were a peculiar time in television. After the dubious 90s innovations of Jerry Springer in the US were followed by the UK launch of Big Brother, it was clear that using the travails of so-called ordinary people as fuel for small-screen entertainment was an idea with legs. There was a mini goldrush of sorts as programme makers realised that conflict, extremity and dysfunction would always sell – and that any human-interest subject could be shoehorned into some version of reality TV.In Britain, ITV’s The Jeremy Kyle Show began casting its malign spell in 2005. In the US, something similarly queasy (and enduring) had arrived a year earlier in the shape of NBC’s weight loss bootcamp-meets-bearpit, The Biggest Loser, which took contestants living with obesity then belittled them with humilia...

Culture

6 d. ago JK Rowling blasts Sturgeon memoirs as a 'shameless denial of reality and hard facts' in scathing review

Author JK Rowling has penned a scathing review of Nicola Sturgeon 's hotly anticipated memoirs on the day it was officially launched.

Politics

1 week ago Review: Engo 2 smart sports glasses bring augmented reality to runners and cyclists

The glasses themselves are good-looking, and make you feel like you're a sniper from the 23rd Century!

Sport

2 w. ago Irvine Welsh, Fringe by the Sea, North Berwick review: 'a sweary lovefest'

At this Fringe by the Sea appearance Irvine Welsh offered his views on Instagram culture, sentimental Christmas movies and the enduring appeal of the Trainspotting crew. Review by Mike Wade

Politics