Scottish author William McIlvanney dies

Scottish crime writer William McIlvanney, who wrote the detective novel Laidlaw, has died at his Glasgow home at the age of 79.

Scottish writer William McIlvanney, best known for his detective novel Laidlaw - called the first book of Tartan Noir by some - has died at 79.

His agent Jenny Brown said he died at his home in Glasgow on Saturday after a short illness.

McIlvanney, born in the town of Kilmarnock, was the son of a miner.

He became an English teacher before changing careers in 1975 to write fulltime.

He is known for the Laidlaw trilogy, a crime series featuring Inspector Jack Laidlaw.

Other works included The Big Man, made into a film starring Liam Neeson, as well as poetry and journalism.

Among his fans was Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who tweeted: "His writing meant so much to me when I was growing up. RIP."