Iain Crichton Smith (1928 - 1998) was born in Glasgow, brought up on Lewis, and attended university in Aberdeen. After working as a teacher in Clydebank and Dumbarton, he taught at the High School in Oban until he took early retirement in 1977. He was the recipient of many literary awards and received an OBE in 1980. His widow, Donalda, still lives in Taynuilt, where the couple moved after their marriage in 1977.

Alan Warner is one of Scotland's best loved literary figures. His debut, Morven Callar is a contemporary classic; both it and The Sopranos have been made into famous films. He has been nominated for the Booker Prize and many other awards. He teaches at the University of Aberdeen.