In the last thirty years I have made about 200 broadcasts for the BBC, and recorded over 60 talking books. 100 or so commercial radio voice-overs. I spent a year on the BBC radio drama company in London, during which time I used my “native” Scots accent only once (indeed, I had to ask to do it). Many readings and plays in standard English, with accents and dialects coursing from an outrageous german-tinted King George III, south African, Russian (I studied Russian to Certificate level), London, Yorkshire, four varied regions of Scotland, South Wales, Middle English (which I studied at University), Canadian, Spanish, French, New Zealand, Southern States American, Standard American, Dutch, German, Indian. Characters to date have ranged from smooth-voiced upper-class English to gruff, gravelly down and outs, from very old men to younger chirpier men. Can be thin or fat. I regularly play a dog for Scottish Educational radio (I also write the script and compose the music). I play a mean Bob Dylan and Noel Coward. Great love of reading poetry.
For fuller details and some clips, see my website at
MA Honours in English Language and Literature –mainly language, which covered Old English, Middle English, Old Norse, Gothic, indeed Germanic in general which widenined my love of language.
Licentiate of the Welsh College of Music and Drama, part of whose remit was providing training in Radio Drama and Voice Over.
Licentiate of the Royal College of Music (in dramatic performance).
I teach radio on an occasional basis to Acting students of queen Margaret College in Edinburgh.
My personal studio includes a CAD M179 large diaphragm single patter condenser mike which feeds, via a tascam Fireone audio/midi unit, a MacBook (OSX) running Cubase 4.5. If external effects are needed, I use an M1 effects unit. Have a very small range of sound FX
I have a parallel career as a composer and musician: to date. this has included music for about 80 programmes for Educational Radio (for the under 9s, music for radio drama, theatre, and film. Influences range from Childrens, through rock, folk, jazz, to "New Music" for the concert hall. Most of this I have recorded and mixed at home. For further details on the specifics and some clips, see my website