Meet The Two Roberts: artists, lovers, outrageous outsiders!

My new novel is a love-letter to Robert MacBryde and Robert Colquhoun, two neglected gay pioneers who met on their first day at the Glasgow School of Art in 1933. I’ve imagined the lives - and loves - they were forced to hide.

The Two Roberts were charismatic art stars - collected by major galleries, photographed by Vogue, filmed by Ken Russell. But they lived as hard as they worked...scandal was no stranger.

Dylan Thomas adored them. Francis Bacon wanted to be them. Elizabeth Smart hired them as nannies (perhaps unwisely).

Two of the 20th century’s most brilliant artists. Almost forgotten. Until now.

There are so many gaps in their story - so many questions unasked.

My new novel is all about what it means to find your voice, to find love when it’s forbidden and to change the way the world sees.

I’ve fallen in love with The Two Roberts.

I hope you do too.

Published by Canongate on September 4th 2025.

Follow me on insta for pre-orders, events, library visits and partnerships with indie bookshops.

New Book, The Two RobertsDamian Barr29 October 2024The Two Roberts

Imagine A Country:Ideas For A Better Future

Delighted to have a piece in this collection edited by Val McDermid and Jo Sharp. Imagine A Country: Ideas for a Better Future offers visions of a new future from an astonishing array of Scottish voices, from comedians to economists, writers to musicians. Featuring Ali Smith, Alan Cumming, Kerry Hudson, Jackie Kay, Louise Welsh and many more. I wrote about how it’s hard to imagine the future when we haven’t been taught our own history. Royalties will be split among five Scottish charities: Shelter Scotland, Scottish Women’s Aid, Scottish Book Trust, Refuweegee and Reforesting Scotland.

New BookAmy Very16 March 2020Damian Barr, Books

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