12 Facts About Norman MacCaig

Norman Alexander MacCaig was a Scottish poet and teacher.

Norman Alexander MacCaig was born at 15 East London Street, Edinburgh, to Robert McCaig, a chemist from Dumfriesshire, and Joan nee MacLeod, from Scalpay in the Outer Hebrides.

Norman MacCaig attended the Royal High School and in 1928 went to the University of Edinburgh, graduating in 1932 with a degree in classics.

Norman MacCaig divided his time, for the rest of his life, between his native city and Assynt in the Scottish Highlands.

Norman MacCaig became a reader in poetry in 1970 at the University of Stirling.

Norman MacCaig spent his summer holidays in Achmelvich, and Inverkirkaig, near Lochinver.

Norman MacCaig continued to publish throughout his lifetime and was prolific in the amount that he produced.

Norman MacCaig often gave public readings of his work in Edinburgh and elsewhere; these were extremely popular and for many people were the first introduction to the poet.

Norman MacCaig's life is noteworthy for the friendships he had with a number of other Scottish poets, such as Hugh MacDiarmid and Douglas Dunn.

Norman MacCaig described his own religious beliefs as "Zen Calvinism", a comment typical of his half-humorous, half-serious approach to life.

Norman MacCaig became a free verse poet with the publication of Surroundings in 1966.

Norman MacCaig's poems are studied in schools in Scotland at National 5 and Higher levels, the poems which are currently studied are:.