Fred MacAulay and Scott Gibson

Dundee Rep, April 1; That’s Fife Festival, Byre Theatre, St Andrews April 9

Fred MacAulay seems the picture of domestic bliss when we speak, with a sixmonth-old pup dozing by his side.

But since leaving his successful BBC Radio Scotland show after almost 18 years, the funny man has had little time to put his feet up. Like any successful comedian, much of his year is spent travelling between stand-up shows.

Tomorrow he’ll be on familiar territory at Dundee Rep. He studied at Dundee University and is a former rector of his alma mater so the city has a substantial place in his heart.

He’ll be joined on the bill by Scott Gibson, the well-deserved Best Newcomer at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

Fred has had 30 years of Fringe success and with a topical slant on much of his material, he has run into a blip with the naming of this year’s show, which had to be done so far in advance to catch the printing of the brochure.

“I had called it indyFRED2 but I think I have time to change it,” he says.

With the political landscape more tumultuous than ever, ensuring his material keeps pace with events is increasingly difficult.

Isn’t it easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of potential material?

“The worry for me was that audiences will get topical material fatigue,” he says.

“I had a feeling that everyone would be talking about Trump and Brexit and a new referendum but in recent shows I’ve done with other stand-ups it hasn’t been the case.

“I think you’re guided by what sparks the brain and current affairs does that for me.

“There’s a fair bit where I cover other life events too, though. Like my own significant birthday that I had recently.”

Trump has energised Fred’s online life with a tweet a day about the ongoing presidency, which has lasted much longer than many expected – Fred included. It’s no empty rhetoric, however. He has put money where his mouth is and pledged to turn down any work that would involve performing at Turnberry in Ayrshire – now Trump Turnberry.

The year is busy enough, though. With a show at the Byre Theatre next Sunday, he returns to his home town of Perth during the summer and to Blairgowrie, where there might be a round of golf at Rosemount.

There are dates all around the UK and Edinburgh in August is always lurking on the horizon like a mirthful behemoth.

“It’s weird when people say they miss me on the radio in the mornings and seem concerned that life has stopped,” he adds. “Even at home there are three dogs now, including this new pup. His mum Tiggy gave us a litter of two just before Christmas, which was a shame, as I had budgeted for eight.”