Martin S. Laird

Artist | film-maker | animator

Tag: Scottish cringe

  • The Patron Saint of Cringe

    Andrew: the patron saint of Scottish Cringe This cartoon was created to accompany the Orkney News article in the November 2018 edition of iScot magazine. The article is about St Andrew’s Fair Saturday 2018, which is a day of events promoting positive social change throughout the world. It is a response to the unsustainable consumerism embodied…

    Written by

    Martin Laird
    St Andrew is crucified on a saltire. A Roman legionary says "He said a crucifix was too good for him", to which another replies "Christ Almighty!". An evil cherubic Britannia hovers over Andrew with a trident and Union-flag shield. Caption reads "The Patron Saint of Cringe."

  • Peedie Schools, or do Orcadians suffer from the Scottish cringe?

    Do Orcadians suffer from the ‘Scottish cringe’? This cartoon was produced to accompany an article called “Peedie Schools for Creative Learning” by Fiona Grahame, about schooling in Orkney. It appears in the October 2017 edition of iScot magazine. Being from Kirkwall, it is not easy to imagine what the experience of growing up on one…

    Written by

    Martin Laird
    peedie schools Scottish cringe cartoon by martin scott laird 2017

  • Proud Scot James Boswell

    James Boswell is a historical figure who apparently suffered from a little Scottish cultural cringe himself, and who evokes a cringe of a different kind today. Boswell was a writer, best known for his biography “Life of Samuel Johnson,” published in 1791. Johnson hated the Scots. Amongst other things he is reputed to have said…

    Written by

    Martin Laird
    A lurid screen print of Scottish literary figure James Boswell. Bright yellow, red, pink and green. Behind him is an African woman with dark bars infront of her. Text says "I do indeed come from Scotland, but I cannot help it", with the words "Proud Scot" at the bottom.