In Episode 59 Derek is joined by Val McDermid - a legendary Scottish author.
Val who was brought up in a working class family in Kirkcaldy, Fife is often branded the Queen of Crime for the impact she has made through her writing.
In this episode the pair talk about Val leaving Scotland to study at St Hilda's College, Oxford - where she was the first student to be admitted from a Scottish state school.
Val talks about her involvement with her local football club Raith Rovers and the relationship and support she has from her fellow fans. She emphasises the importance of football clubs in their local community and the sense of solidarity that can bring.
On Scottish independence McDermid believes Scots should "be gallus" and Derek points out that despite sometimes Scots lacking self-believe we have a rich history and a lot to be proud of.
Val's book Still Life is out in February 2021, her first graphic novel due out in May 2021 and of course this years crime novel in the pipeline set in 1979.
