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 8434 / Phi

Fri March 2, 2018 at 2:59 pmFri October 25, 2013 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

It’s Friday, it’s Phi, so all’s well with the crossword world. Perhaps not Phi’s toughest puzzle, but a pleasant way to the end the week. I can’t see any theme … Read more >>

Azed 2157

Mon October 21, 2013 at 5:27 pmSun October 20, 2013 at 12:01 am by duncanshiell

17:30 21 October – corrupted data in the file has been removed – the blog now reads correctly. This was a Carte Blanche Competition Puzzle from Azed where solvers were presented with a … Read more >>

Independent 8425 / Radian

Tue October 15, 2013 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

Radian is a monthly contributor to the daily Independent crossword series. The puzzles often contain cross references as is the case today Today, 15th October, is ADA LOVELACE day, an annual … Read more >>

Independent 8420 / Dac

Wed October 9, 2013 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

Dac continues to produce crosswords that give a good deal of pleasure and satisfaction to solvers. There are rarely any gimmicks, Ninas or tricks. Having said that, I spent a … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1301: Epitaph by Ferret

Wed October 9, 2013 at 12:01 am by duncanshiell

The preamble told us that ‘the author associated with a well-known character appears in the initial grid, depicting a gravestone. Where an answer contains any of three thematic letters, the wordplay in the … Read more >>

Guardian Genius 123 – Puck

Sun October 6, 2013 at 2:41 pmSun October 6, 2013 at 12:01 am by duncanshiell

This Genius puzzle by Puck had a fairly short preamble, as follows: Eight solutions, lacking further definition, are of a kind (one of them disputedly) Their type can be confirmed by finding the … Read more >>

Independent 8415 / Klingsor

Thu October 3, 2013 at 5:02 pmThu October 3, 2013 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

Klingsor gave us an enjoyable commuter’s crossword today Although I enjoyed the puzzle, I found the clues to be a bit of a mixed bag ranging from t I was a … Read more >>

Independent 8410 / Phi

Fri February 16, 2018 at 1:38 pmFri September 27, 2013 at 9:00 am by duncanshiell

As ever, Phi has provided us with good value for money in today’s crossword. Whenever I complete a grid with a number of names and slightly obscure word these days, … Read more >>

Independent 8401 / Alchemi

Tue September 17, 2013 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

Alchemi seems to be a ‘once a month’ contributor to Independent Daily crosswords at the moment. I really enjoyed this as a challenge to identify all the historical leaders clued … Read more >>

Independent 8396 / Dac

Wed September 11, 2013 at 9:05 amWed September 11, 2013 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

This was another crossword showing the high standards we have come to expect from Dac. I thiught there were lots of good clues today, too many for me to mention … Read more >>

Independent 8391 / Tees

Thu September 5, 2013 at 12:54 pmThu September 5, 2013 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

Tees is a regular contributor the Independent daily puzzle series. I usually enjoy his offerings and today was no exception. Although I enjoyed the puzzle, I don’t think it was … Read more >>

Azed 2151 Printer’s Pie

Sun September 1, 2013 at 12:01 am by duncanshiell

This is the first non-standard Azed puzzle that I have blogged for some time. I found it a pleasant change from the normal fare. There was a preamble to this … Read more >>

Independent 8386 / Phi

Fri December 15, 2017 at 11:06 amFri August 30, 2013 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

This was, as usual, a good quality puzzle from Phi. There was a small theme in four of the across clues. The gateway clue at 24 led to ARTISTS, three … Read more >>

Independent 8377 / Kairos

Tue August 20, 2013 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

Kairos has set a number of Independent on Sunday crosswords, but I think this is his first appearance in the daily paper. This puzzle took me back to my childhood with … Read more >>

Independent 8372 / Dac

Wed August 14, 2013 at 9:55 amWed August 14, 2013 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

Dac appears most Wednesdays in the Independent and produces a consistently high standard of good solid crosswords without themes or gimmicks. Today’s puzzle covered a wide range of general knowledge … Read more >>