A few of my favourite things
The author was born in 1948 and brought up in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), before moving to Scotland at the age of 17 to study at the University of Edinburgh. After a stint as a professor of medical law, he turned to writing fiction, but it was the ‘The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’ series that made him a household name. He was awarded a knighthood for services to literature, academia and charity in 2024 and his latest book, The Perfect Passion Company (Polygon) is out now. The author has recently invested in Scottish tailors Stewart Christie (www.stewartchristie.com).
This is an Argocat. The Argo, of course, was the name of Jason’s ship and I suppose that anybody who drives a modern Argocat might be called an Argonaut. I keep this extraordinary vehicle at our house in Argyll, where we have extremely rough ground. In this vehicle, I can go to the top of the hill behind the house without getting bogged down.
It is amphibious, which means I can drive into a loch and cross it at four miles an hour, with the wheels making it into a paddle steamer. A boy’s toy? Oh, well… (www.argocat.com).
I have always liked red slippers. There’s nothing wrong with slippers that are brown or black, but I am happiest if they are red, or ‘Bordeaux’, as Church’s puts it. I have had mine for years and, in my mind, they are more than mere footwear: they stand for a number of important values. They stand for loyalty and courtesy. Put on a pair of Church’s slippers and feel the transformation (www.church-footwear.com).
I carry a notebook in case I see something interesting or have an idea that needs to be jotted down. Not only do I buy these Smythson notebooks for myself, but I often get them for my birthday or for Christmas from my daughters, who have my initials put on the cover. I love the thin blue paper and the feel of the binding. I have about 40 of these books—they make up my archive. I still like to use pen and ink, and holding a well-balanced writing tool is a great pleasure. I keep 10 or 12 pens on my desk, but my favourite Mont Blanc rollerball has a beautifully incised top— not one that you want to lend out, unless you know where they live (www.smythson.com; www.montblanc.com).