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Robert McNeil

Robert McNeil

Herald Scotland

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Alastair Sim's da said he was 'destined for the gallows' but talent came out swinging

Alastair Sim's da said he was 'destined for the gallows' but talent came out swinging

This week’s Icon starred in each of my three favourite films: The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950), The Belles of St Trinian’s (1954) and School...

26.07.2026 10

Herald Scotland

Robert McNeil

Aye, Krankies and company are lewd and libidinous but pantos are still good clean fun

SPOILER alert: nobody is behind you. Yep, we’re stepping out of our comfort zone again this week. I’d thought panto was primarily aimed at kids...

22.12.2025 20

Herald Scotland

Robert McNeil

Dram loving food writer with a passion for Skye

LAST night, as I write, I was re-reading The Road to Mingulay and Derek Cooper’s passionate rage against the appropriation of land in Scotland for...

24.11.2025 20

Herald Scotland

Robert McNeil

So 'wonky' Gregory's Girl actors were so gritty they had to be dubbed for non-Jocks?

Each week, the self-righteous and highly judgmental journalist Rab McNeil puts one of the country's weel-kent creations, names or faces under close...

20.10.2025 20

Herald Scotland

Robert McNeil

How did John 'Smeato' Smeaton become a legend by kicking terrorist in the testicles?

THIS week’s Icon felt morally obliged to kick a burning man in the groin. He was the 31-year-old baggage handler who intervened in a markedly...

15.09.2025 100

Herald Scotland

Robert McNeil

Robbie the Pict 'biggest pain in the a*** from the Highlands since accordion music'

Each week, the self-righteous and highly judgmental journalist Rab McNeil puts one of the country's highly regarded sacred cows under close scrutiny...

01.09.2025 20

Herald Scotland

Robert McNeil