About the Author

Born in Cowdenbeath in 1942, Dennis Canavan was educated at St. Bride's and St. Columba's Schools in Cowdenbeath, and at the University of Edinburgh. He worked as a schoolteacher from 1968 until 1974 and was Assistant Head of Holyrood High School, Edinburgh, at the time of his first election to Parliament. Throughout his 33-year political career as a councillor, MP and MSP Dennis Canavan has been recognised as one of the most colourful politicians to grace the halls of Holyrood.