Today's Read Contributor Scottish author Ian Colquhoun’s The Wood Fairy blends 1990s rave culture, folklore, and gritty realism in his new Broken Biscuits series.
In the dim glow of a late-night radio studio, Ian Colquhoun leaned into the microphone and shared a candid reflection: “I’ve only just recently recovered from that scene, after 20 years. Many of my peers probably feel the same.” He was speaking of the electric rave culture of the late 1990s and early 2000s, a world of pounding basslines, long nights, and working-class Scots chasing freedom on the dance floor. For Colquhoun, it was not only a chapter of youth but the foundation for his latest novel, The Wood Fairy, the first in his new series under the banner Broken Biscuits.
This was not just an author promoting his thirteenth book. It was the voice of a man who has faced fire, loss, trauma, and disability, and who continues to transform those experiences into art.
From Warehouse Floors to Written Worlds
Born and raised in central Scotland, Ian Colquhoun began working in warehouses at sixteen, following a path familiar to many of his generation. That trajectory changed in 2002 when a fire left him severely disabled. An amputee, living with multiple health conditions and post-traumatic stress disorder, Colquhoun could have retreated from the world. Instead, he turned to writing.
Since 2007, he has published twelve books across genres. His newest project, Broken Biscuits, is his most personal yet. It blends the grit of working-class life with his own perspective, using humor and surreal twists to explore themes of resilience and belonging.
The Birth of Broken Biscuits
Broken Biscuits is not only a title but a metaphor for Colquhoun’s philosophy. Just as broken biscuits may lack perfection yet remain satisfying, his characters are flawed but deeply human.
The series begins with The Wood Fairy, a novel set in the late-90s Scottish rave and club scene. The book blends social realism with supernatural elements, weaving in ghosts and fairies alongside the chaotic energy of music and nightlife. It is at once dark, humorous, and reflective, a way for Colquhoun to revisit his younger years through a creative lens.
Early reception has been strong, with readers in Canada, particularly among the Scottish diaspora, embracing the book. Momentum is now building in the United Kingdom as well.
A Language All His Own
A defining feature of Colquhoun’s writing is his use of local dialect. While many Scottish authors lean on Edinburgh or Glasgow slang, Colquhoun has chosen the voices of the towns in between, particularly West Lothian and Lanarkshire.
“Books written partly in Edinburgh or Glasgow accents, or slang, are ten-a-penny these days,” Colquhoun said. “I wanted to write with West Lothian and Lanarkshire slang instead. Too often, the hinterland is neglected by artists, but not by me.”
The result is fiction that feels rooted in place and community. It resonates with readers who recognize their own speech and culture on the page while offering newcomers a vivid sense of Scotland’s regional diversity.
Healing Through Storytelling
For Colquhoun, writing is not simply an artistic pursuit but a way of managing trauma and staying connected to life. “I am not a famous author,” he explained. “I am just a deeply damaged man who writes to keep himself sane. If I make any money from that or make my readers laugh, cry, or think, then all the better.”
This perspective shapes his work, infusing it with both vulnerability and strength. His stories are about more than entertainment; they are a testament to survival and the search for meaning in difficult circumstances.
A Supernatural Edge to Social Realism
While firmly grounded in housing schemes and working-class culture, The Wood Fairy is not traditional social realism. The presence of fairies and ghosts adds humor and surreal tension to the narrative.
This combination allows Colquhoun to explore universal questions. Where does joy fit into hardship? How do communities create myths that make sense of their struggles? By blending folklore with modern life, he gives readers a story that feels both deeply Scottish and widely relatable.
A Life Beyond the Page
Colquhoun’s creativity does not end with his novels. He is also an amputee actor, participating in live exercises that support military and emergency training. In addition, he takes part in charity swims, further demonstrating his determination to remain active and engaged with his community.
These endeavors highlight the resilience that shapes his writing. He refuses to be defined only by disability and continues to seek ways to contribute meaningfully to culture and society.
A Voice for Scotland and Beyond
Through The Wood Fairy and the larger Broken Biscuits series, Ian Colquhoun gives readers more than nostalgia or grit. He offers a rare voice that captures both the challenges of working-class Scottish life and the humor that sustains it.
His books connect with Scots who lived through the rave era he describes and with international readers drawn to authentic storytelling. In this way, Colquhoun preserves a cultural moment while also reaching far beyond it.
Discover The Wood Fairy and the World of Broken Biscuits
For readers interested in a vivid portrait of late-90s Scotland, complete with folklore, humor, and unforgettable characters, Ian Colquhoun’s The Wood Fairy provides a compelling starting point. It is the opening chapter of Broken Biscuits, a series that promises depth, honesty, and originality.
To explore more about Ian Colquhoun’s work, visit Broken Biscuits or Ian Colquhoun’s website. You can also connect with him on Instagram, X, and Facebook.
