But writing is his passion and he has just had a book of poetry published, "Shellfish and Umbrellas", by the Aberdeen-based publishers, Koo Press.

Steve attended Applegrove Primary School from 1974 to 1981 and Forres Academy from '81 to '85.

"I wasn't what you'd call a model student," he said, "especially in secondary school, leaving as soon as I could, but I did eventually graduate from Edinburgh University with a General Arts degree 10 years ago. My degree subjects were Hispanic Studies, Philosophy and European History."

A keen musician when he was younger – he played in bands in the Forres area, including the quirky quartet, "Some Fine Noise" – he gradually discovered that although music continued to be a passion, he had more talent for writing than music.

He has been writing poetry since he was a teenager, inspired, he says, by the song lyrics of Paul Weller, Ray Davies, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.

"I have had a fair bit of writing published. I have an e-book on the internet called "The Iberian Horseshoe – A Journey". It is available for downloading from Barcelona-based www.badosa.com. My poems have featured in numerous literary magazines and webzines over the last 15 years in Scotland, England, Spain and the USA and I also write short stories and journalism which has appeared online and in the national press."

Forres poet Steve Porter who has just published a new poetry book, "Shellfish and Umbrellas".

More details of Steve's writing can be found at www.myspace.com/stevenjporter.

"Shellfish and Umbrellas" is currently available from the Koo Press website – www.koopress.co.uk. It costs £4 and details can be found in the second page of the catalogue on their website.

"It is not currently available at any local outlets," said Steve, "but any bookshops, etc. who are interested in stocking even a few copies should get in touch with me by e-mail – stevenporter1969@yahoo.co.uk. I'm hoping to get it onto Amazon sometime soon.

"As well as the other things, I also write a number of blogs including www.galidonia.blogspot.com about issues of interest to me in Galicia – the region of Spain where I live.

"Shellfish and Umbrellas" was launched at a reception in the shop Books and Beans, Belmont Street, Aberdeen at the end of last month and in the launch programme, lines are rooted in place and belonging, particularly in deliberations between a sun-splashed Spain and the rain and misted North-east of Scotland. And 'Poetry Rules', he implies, 'it pollinates our libraries'.

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