PLAYWRIGHT David Greig has been named as the next Artistic Director of the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company in Edinburgh.

The Dunsinane author will take over from outgoing director Mark Thomson at the end of the Lyceum’s 50th Anniversary Season next year.

Shonaig Macpherson, chairwoman of the company's board, said she was delighted that the award-winning writer had agreed to join them.

She said: "He is an inspirational and widely respected figure in Scottish Arts where he has been a committed champion of the nation’s creativity through his many roles with The Traverse Theatre, Playwrights Studio and National Theatre of Scotland.

"His appointment offers an exciting new direction for The Lyceum and its audiences who have already enjoyed his work in Dunsinane and most recently, his new stage version of Alasdair Gray’s Lanark which played to full houses here at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival."

Greig's plays have been performed at all of the major theatres in Britain, and have played to audiences across the world.

In 1990 the Fife-based writer co-founded Suspect Culture Theatre Company and from 2005 to 2007 he was the first Dramaturg of The National Theatre of Scotland.

He said “I’m thrilled and flattered that the board has shown confidence in my vision. The Lyceum is a beautiful theatre and it sits at the heart of Scottish drama and Edinburgh life.

"It’s the stage on which I saw my first play, and it’s been part of my theatre making for nearly two decades now. I greatly admire the work Mark’s done with the company during his time in the role.

"He hands on a terrific organisation and I very much look forward to working with the team to develop my first programme for Autumn 2016."

Mark Thomson, Artistic Director of The Lyceum, added: “David's appointment is great news for The Lyceum. He brings vast experience and knowledge of theatre to the company and I am glad there will be a much admired and respected theatre artist leading the company to what I am sure will be an exciting future. "