Shirley Spear grew up in Edinburgh. She began a career in journalism in Dundee, later moving to London where she met her husband-to-be, Eddie Spear. Together they opened a restaurant on the Isle of Skye, The Three Chimneys, which has gone on to gain world-wide acclaim, was rated in the top 50 restaurants in the world and one of only two restaurants in Scotland to be awarded a Michelin star. Shirley and Eddie now divide their time between the Isle of Skye and a home in North Berwick, East Lothian.
Bob Dewar was born in Edinburgh and was first published nationally when he was sixteen. As well as books for Black and White, Birlinn and Oxford University Press, his work has appeared in The Scottish Field and Holyrood magazine and The Scotch Malt Whisky newsletter. He has had exhibitions in Edinburgh and Italy, and for fifteen years did political and social commentary for The Scotsman. He is married to novelist Isla Dewar and has a son, and a golden retriever.