Tartan Noir: Scottish Crime Writing

Learn what sets the Tartan Noir apart from other crime fiction

Crime fiction tops bestseller lists in countries all around the world. But acclaimed writers like Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, and Denise Mina have pioneered their own, distinctly Scottish, brand of crime writing: the Tartan Noir.

On this four-week course from the University of Glasgow, you’ll delve into the dark world of the Tartan Noir genre. With each week focusing on a different literary feature, you’ll learn what distinguishes Scottish crime writing from its parallels elsewhere in the world.

Explore the history of crime writing in Scotland

Tartan Noir has its roots in the works of world-famous writers like Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of Treasure Island, and Arthur Conan Doyle, who brought us Sherlock Holmes.

You’ll start the course by tracing Tartan Noir back to its roots in the late nineteenth century.

Unpick the literary fabric of the Tartan Noir

Once you’ve covered the history of the Tartan Noir genre, you’ll begin analysing its forms and features.

You’ll look at three distinctive aspects of Scottish crime writing: plot, character, and narrative. You’ll unpick the fabric of Tartan Noir to see how its writers plot crime scenes, chart character arcs, and map criminal underworlds.

Read extracts from bestselling works of Tartan Noir

Throughout the four weeks of the course, you’ll read extracts from a wide range of bestselling texts. From the works of early pioneers like William McIlvanney to contemporary favourites like Ian Rankin and Denise Mina, you’ll discover the wealth and diversity of crime writing in Scotland.

Whether you’re a Tartan Noir fan or a crime writer yourself, you’ll join a community of readers engaging critically with the genre.

This course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about the wildly popular Tartan Noir genre.

Whether you’re a keen reader, an aspiring writer, or a student of literature, you’ll gain the expertise you need to engage critically with Scottish crime writing.

This course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about the wildly popular Tartan Noir genre.

Whether you’re a keen reader, an aspiring writer, or a student of literature, you’ll gain the expertise you need to engage critically with Scottish crime writing.

• Identify specific literary techniques used by writers in various genre
• Compare the tropes and themes common to Scottish crime fiction
• Critique new crime fiction based on the case studies at the centre of this course
• Apply the advice of writers to your own projects