Tartan Noir with Professor David Wilson and Martin Frizell - Edinburgh (1)

What happens when the stories we tell about crime become more powerful than the reality?

Join criminologist Professor David Wilson and journalist Martin Frizellfor an engaging evening exploring some of Scotland’s most talked-about crimes - and the stories that have grown up around them.

Drawing on decades of experience in journalism and criminology, the evening looks at why certain crimes continue to grip public attention, how “tartan noir” has shaped Scotland’s reputation, and where the reality of crime differs from its portrayal in books, television, and true crime culture.

Through cases including Bible John, Peter Tobin, Dennis Nilsen, Robert Black, the Dunblane massacre, organised crime in Scotland, and the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, the discussion moves beyond headlines to ask what these stories really tell us about violence, fear, and society.

Alongside the cases themselves, Wilson and Frizell explore:

• Why serial killers feature so heavily in Scottish crime fiction despite being rare in reality
• How Scotland went from being labelled the “murder capital of Europe” to experiencing historically low homicide rates
• The impact of crime dramas and true crime on public attitudes to masculinity, punishment, and justice

Thoughtful, accessible, and often surprising, True Crime Tartan Noir invites audiences to reflect on the difference between myth and reality - and why the stories we tell about crime matter.

A must-see for fans of true crime, criminology, and gripping real-life stories!

About the Speakers:

David Wilson is Emeritus Professor of Criminology at Birmingham City University and the author of more than 25 books on crime and punishment, including A History of Modern Britain in 20 Murders. An award-winning broadcaster, he has presented documentaries for Channel 4 and BBC Scotland, including Interview with a Murderer and David Wilson’s Crime Files, and co-hosts the podcast This Much Is True Crime.

Martin Frizell is a journalist and broadcaster with decades of experience across British print and television media. He has worked on some of the UK’s most high-profile crime stories and was the first journalist to give national coverage to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. He is the co-host of the podcast This Much Is True Crime, where he explores major cases with a focus on evidence, context, and ethics rather than speculation.

This Much is True Crime Podcast

Ever wonder why serial killers kill or why ordinary people sometimes do extraordinary things, sometimes downright evil things? This Much is True Crime is a weekly look at crime making the headlines and that includes crime drama and docuseries that are making news themselves. The hosts are news reporter and tv producer Martin Frizell and Britain's top criminologist Professor David Wilson. Listen here.

About Ecademi

Ecademi takes academic ideas beyond the university and into the public sphere. Through national tours with leading academics, online events, and live discussions, we create space for complex topics to be explored in ways that are accessible, relevant, and thought-provoking. The goal: to spark conversation, challenge assumptions, and bring critical thinking into the mainstream.

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