duncanshiell

Born in 1948. I retired from full-time work in May 2007, after 37 years with Ordnance Survey and associated bodies and now have time to devote to crosswords, something not available for many years. Product of 17 years in the Scottish education system, but lived overseas or in southern England for virtually all of the time thereafter. I moved back to Scotland in 2010. Regular road runner and recently returned to orienteering and golf after a 35 year gap. Developed interested in cryptic crosswords in the mid 1960s (Scotsman, Sunday Express skeleton), but working overseas and then raising a family, meant dropping out of crossword solving for about 30 years. Now a regular solver of Times, Guardian, Independent, Inquisitor, Listener and Magpie crosswords. Reasonably regular finisher of the first four. Started blogging in late 2007. Any solving ability far outweighs any clueing ability. Krypton Factor contestant 1983; eliminated in the first round, but the obstacle course finish made good television!

Independent 8802 / Quixote

Wed December 31, 2014 at 9:51 amWed December 31, 2014 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

I have been blogging on Fifteensquared for over 7 years with nearly 350 blogs, but I think this is the first time I have blogged a puzzle set by Don Manley. … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1365: Christmas Charity Donation by Nimrod

Thu January 1, 2015 at 5:47 pmWed December 31, 2014 at 12:01 am by duncanshiell

The Christmas Puzzle, entitled Christmas Charity Donation, was set by the Inquisitor Crossword Editor, John Henderson, in his guise of Nimrod. The preamble stated that " a certain charity is the … Read more >>

Independent 8793 / Phi

Fri December 27, 2019 at 8:37 amFri December 19, 2014 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

Phi has given us a fairly standard crossword today There is however a slight nod towards the season with entries including the words CHRISTMAS (3/8/20), SEASON (9 across), SWEET (17 … Read more >>

Independent 8784 / Alchemi

Tue December 9, 2014 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

This is my first blog after a few wonderful weeks in New Zealand. The puzzle by Alchemi has provided a pleasant re-introduction to blogging. Thanks to Gaufrid for standing in for me … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1357: Cause and Effect by Eclogue

Wed November 5, 2014 at 12:01 am by duncanshiell

This is the second Eclogue Inquisitor that I have blogged. The previous one had a literary theme. This time … .. we had a sporting reference as the theme. The … Read more >>

Independent 8750 / Donk

Thu October 30, 2014 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

Donk’s puzzle are always a challenge and frequently attract praise from solvers There is clearly flair in the cluing of today’s puzzle with a significant need for lateral thinking [e.g. 1 … Read more >>

Azed 2211

Sun October 26, 2014 at 12:01 am by duncanshiell

As ever, a well constructed puzzle from Azed. There are a couple of clues where I am not entirely sure of the wordplay, indeed for 16 across [SEMPER] I really … Read more >>

Independent 8745 / Phi

Fri March 8, 2019 at 8:48 amFri October 24, 2014 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

As happens most Fridays in The Independent, the puzzle is set by Phi. There are a number of pairs of Christian names in this puzzle – all the four pairs … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1355: Holy Inappropriate by Lato

Wed October 22, 2014 at 12:01 am by duncanshiell

LATO is a regular setter in the Inquisitor series and he always provides a good challenge. The preamble told us that "12 of the thematic entries represent fortunately imaginary scenarios … Read more >>

Independent 8736 / Hieroglyph

Tue October 14, 2014 at 8:35 amTue October 14, 2014 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

Hieroglyph is becoming a regular once a month setter in The Independent. This is Hieroglyph’s fourth appearance in successive months. All three of Hieroglyph’s puzzle have had a theme and … Read more >>

Independent 8731 / Dac

Wed October 8, 2014 at 8:21 amWed October 8, 2014 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

A fairly standard puzzle from Dac today with his usual elegant clue writing. There were a significant number of entries with consecutive double letters. I counted ten in all, six … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1353: Eight from Eight by Radler

Wed October 8, 2014 at 8:23 amWed October 8, 2014 at 12:01 am by duncanshiell

This puzzle by Radler had a fairly short preamble, as follows: "The title alludes to the eight unclued themed solutions. Only one is from eight, and nine’s too many for the theme. Seven … Read more >>

Genius 135 / Crucible

Sun October 5, 2014 at 12:01 am by duncanshiell

The preamble told us that all solutions are thematic, wholly or in part. All clues contain normal definitions but, with 18 of them, the wordplay ignores the thematic element. I … Read more >>

Independent 8726 / Tees

Thu October 2, 2014 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

Tees. makes his monthly appearance today with an entertaining puzzle. The puzzle is the first pangram I have blogged for sometime. I think I got the hint of a pangram … Read more >>

Independent 8721 / Phi

Fri January 18, 2019 at 8:51 amFri September 26, 2014 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

A return to normality with Phi on a Friday. There are a couple of composers in the grid today and a few musical references in the clues, but nothing strong … Read more >>