James Robertson

This week, the acclaimed novelist James Robertson hosts a Celtic Connections celebration of the life of his great friend, the musician Michael Marra. The event shares a title with Robertson's latest book, Arrest This Moment – an affectionate tribute that includes interviews with Marra's friends and family and an imaginary conversation with the late musician. In this exclusive extract, he explains the thinking behind his unconventional biography, begins conversing with his friend, sheds new light on one of Marra's songs and shares insights from some of those who knew him best.

Kenny MacAskill

IT was the year of a summer that seemed, at its height, as if it might never end. Reservoirs dried up and tarmac melted as each long, hot day was succeeded by another. But for me, 1976 is memorable for other things too. I left school the previous year, and had a job at Blair Drummond Safari Park, herding camels, trying to stop nervous giraffes stampeding through picnicking crowds, or keeping watch on the troop of rhesus monkeys who seemed to regard humans with something close to contempt. It was the year I turned 18, bought a motorbike, left home, went to university, had sex. My adult life was underway.