The year was 2002, and at 24, Ian Colquhoun’s world changed forever in a single night of flames. As fire consumed his home and claimed his legs, few could have imagined that this devastating moment would eventually forge one of Scotland’s most distinctive literary voices. Fast-forward over two decades, and Colquhoun has transformed personal tragedy into creative triumph, crafting stories that resonate from the Scottish Highlands to the Canadian prairies with his groundbreaking “Broken Biscuits” series.
The Spark That Ignited a Literary Revolution
Colquhoun’s journey to becoming a celebrated author wasn’t conventional. Growing up as what he calls “a bright kid with an attitude problem,” his neurodivergence went undiagnosed for decades. “Because I was clever at school, my AuDHD was never picked on,” Colquhoun explains. “A lot of people just saw me as a bright kid with an attitude problem. Then as an adult, my undiagnosed neurodivergence affected me in other ways, some good but mostly negative.”
After working in warehousing from ages 16 to 24, where his exceptional memory allowed him to recall every stock location from distribution centers he worked in, Colquhoun’s life took an unexpected turn. The fire that claimed his legs in 2002 became a catalyst for reinvention rather than defeat.
Rising from the Ashes
What followed was a remarkable transformation. The former “typical hard-working hard-drinking Scotsman” stopped drinking entirely and embarked on an academic journey, studying history at university before transitioning into writing and journalism. “Weirdly, that’s exactly what the school careers advice guy always said that I should do, but I didn’t exactly go about fulfilling that destiny by the most direct route,” Colquhoun jokes, his humor intact despite decades of challenges.
The real breakthrough came in late 2023, when Colquhoun received his AuDHD diagnosis at age 45. Now 47, he reflects on how that moment didn’t just explain his past, it reshaped his future. “This staggering revelation inspired me to switch writing genres, and to write down some of the nonsense in my head that had previously scared me a bit,” he shares.
The Birth of Broken Biscuits
From this personal awakening emerged “The Wood Fairy,” the first novel in Colquhoun’s “Broken Biscuits” series. Critics have described the work as capturing “90s Raves, clubbing, drinking, crime, drugs, sex and working class Scottish culture – With a foul-mouthed obnoxious magic-tree thrown in for good measure.”
But for Colquhoun, “Broken Biscuits” represents something deeper, a tribute to the forgotten working class. “The people that neoliberalism forgot. The boys and girls from the working class housing estates, the ones who have forged lives amid the neoliberal landscape of post industrialism, poor government, globalisation, the drugs epidemic and myriad other crises,” he explains. “When my generation reached its teens in the 90s, we needed something of our own and we found it on the dancefloor.”
A Voice Unlike Any Other
What sets Colquhoun apart in the crowded literary landscape is his commitment to authentic regional voices. While Scottish vernacular in literature isn’t new, Colquhoun deliberately chose a different path. “Books written partly in Edinburgh or Glasgow accents, or slang, are ten-a-penny, these days – I wanted to write with West Lothian and Lanarkshire slang, instead,” he explains. “Too often, the ‘hinterland’, the towns along the M8 in between the two big cities, is neglected by artists – but not by me.”
This linguistic choice isn’t just stylistic, it’s political and personal. By elevating the voices of forgotten communities, Colquhoun gives literary weight to experiences often overlooked by mainstream publishing. “I also wanted to make my readers laugh, and the wood fairy character is already doing just that.”
International Recognition and Growing Impact
“The Wood Fairy” has found remarkable success, taking Canada by storm while gaining significant traction in Colquhoun’s native UK. The novel’s unique blend of gritty realism and dark humor has resonated across continents, proving that authentic local voices can speak to universal experiences.
The book’s success has positioned Colquhoun as more than just another regional author, he’s become a voice for the marginalized, the neurodivergent, and the overlooked. His writing process itself reflects his philosophy: “I’m not a famous author, I’m just a deeply damaged man who writes to keep himself sane. If I make any money from that or make my readers laugh, cry or think, then all the better.”
Beyond Literature: A Life of Service
Colquhoun’s impact extends beyond the written word. As an amputee actor participating in live exercises, he contributes to military and emergency services training. His charity swimming activities demonstrate his commitment to giving back to communities that have supported him through his journey.
With the second novel in the “Broken Biscuits” series scheduled for release before Christmas 2025, Colquhoun continues building a literary legacy that celebrates resilience, authenticity, and the power of overlooked voices.
A Testament to Human Resilience
Ian Colquhoun’s story embodies the transformative power of art emerging from adversity. His journey from warehouse worker to celebrated author, from undiagnosed neurodivergence to embracing his AuDHD identity, proves that our greatest challenges can become our most powerful creative fuel.
If you’re searching for literature that combines raw authenticity with literary craftsmanship, that gives voice to forgotten communities while entertaining and challenging readers, Ian Colquhoun’s “Broken Biscuits” series offers exactly that rare combination. It’s gritty but funny, sexy yet dark, a testament to the complexity of working-class experience told by someone who has lived every word.
About Ian Colquhoun
Ian Colquhoun is a disabled AuDHD author from Scotland whose “Broken Biscuits” series has gained international recognition for its authentic portrayal of working-class life and innovative use of regional vernacular. After losing his legs in a fire in 2002, Colquhoun reinvented himself as a university-educated historian, author, and journalist. His debut novel “The Wood Fairy” has achieved success in both the UK and Canada, with a second installment scheduled for release before Christmas 2025. Beyond writing, Colquhoun works as an amputee actor and participates in charity swimming events. Learn more about his work at www.brokenbiscuits.scot and www.iancolquhoun.org.uk, follow him on Instagram, X, and Facebook.
