Brian Taylor is a writer, broadcaster, lecturer and after-dinner speaker. He is a columnist for the Herald newspaper.
Brian is the former Political Editor of BBC Scotland. He joined the BBC in 1985. After a spell co-presenting the political programme Left, Right and Centre, he was appointed Political Correspondent and then Political Editor.
In that role he covered Scottish politics for all outlets, including BBC Scotland and UK network programmes.
He previously presented the weekly Big Debate on Radio Scotland. In addition, he has presented Good Morning Scotland and is a regular contributor to other BBC programmes.
Before joining the BBC, Brian worked in newspapers for eight years including six years as a lobby correspondent at Westminster.
Brian has written two books on Scotland’s new Parliament and co-written eight more. Among other things, he is the author of The Scottish Parliament (Polygon, Edinburgh University Press, 1999): a definitive account of the road to devolution and its consequences, now republished in revised form.
He updated that narrative in Scotland’s Parliament: Triumph and Disaster (Edinburgh University Press, November 2002). This analyses the early years of the new Parliament.
He has lectured on politics and identity in Washington, Stockholm, Madrid, Edinburgh, London and throughout Germany.
Brian is also a regular after-dinner speaker, blending wit with wisdom.
Born in 1955 in Dundee, he is a former pupil of Dundee High School and graduated MA (Honours) in English from the University of St Andrews in 1977.
Brian has been an honorary Professor in the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh. He is currently an Honorary Professor in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Glasgow.
He received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Edinburgh Napier University in 2008; and from Abertay University in 2010; and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Dundee University in 2015.
He is married with two sons.
Brian maintains contact with the realities of Scottish life through passionate support of Dundee United Football Club. Other interests include literature, theatre and golf.