The Bully State book tour
Saturday, October 10, 2009 
Brian Monteith (above) with copies of his new book, The Bully State: The End of Tolerance, which was launched last night in Edinburgh. Publication of the book was marked with a drinks party at the New Club in Princes Street.
Over 50 guests, including journalists and politicians attended the event in the Ramsay Room overlooking Edinburgh Castle. Unfortunately, due to the biting wind and rain, the balcony was less smoker-friendly than usual - but that didn't deter some people from lighting up!
The evening featured live music, a brief speech by Brian and an even shorter introduction from me. Plenty of laughs and lots of friendly faces. I hadn't seen one guest (an old university friend) for 26 years, another for ten, so the evening was quite nostalgic too.
Delighted too to see the great Scottish historian Michael Fry. Michael and I once shared a room in Washington (for two weeks!) and I have never heard a man snore so loudly although, oddly, I am told that I have developed a similar habit in old age.
After the party, which went on well past its intended time, a small group of us - including BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor (a fellow Dundee United supporter) - retired to The Living Room, a lively restaurant in George Street.
Good company, great evening. Next stop: London.
Reader Comments (5)
As well as getting his book I must get the name and address of his tailor, Brian always looks impeccably dressed. I am going to the book signing, is there anyone else from TL going too?
Can we just get real about this. The smoking ban is finished. Pat Nurse is right from one of her latest comments.I do not wish to read of pub closures or any negatives. What I would like to see is us all as a group focasing to destroy the antis and expose the corruption.
As Field Marshal Gerd Von Rundstead (Germanys Black Knight) once said in 1944, I will make them pay(us) for every foot taken.
I'd love to come, dave, but I won't be able to make it. I look forward to reading all about it on here.
I attended the Edinburgh launch along with Eddie and Michael, and the evening was thoroughly entertaining – thank you Simon for the invitation!
I have been following your posts regarding the fringe conferences, parties, book signings etc and have found the content most interesting.
What I found even more interesting in the press at the weekend was the story about the second Tory Party held on last Wednesday where the smoking ban was completely ignored, staff apparently told to turn a blind eye and a comment to an 'undercover' reporter was made saying 'it is fantastic to break Gordon Brown's stupid law! - words to that effect, at any rate.
Does anyone know if there is any substance to this story? I was reminded about it due to this story saying how the venue was not as smoker friendly as usual due to the rain and wind.