Dear Scotland

Dear Scotland could be seen as the National Theatre of Scotland's contribution to the Independence Debate. Since the performance's communities offerings so far have been relatively low key (Alan Bissett did a shouty poem, Union at the Lyceum was a mess), it will be interesting to see whether the artists can add to the discussion without appearing partisan.

The format is simple enough: twenty writers (some usual suspects) 'have penned short, sharp monologues, inspired – or provoked – by 20 of the collection’s celebrated artworks for a series of pit-stop performances around the gallery.' It's like a guided tour of the portrait gallery, except some of the pictures come to life and tell you how it is.

Unfortunately, the press release doesn't say who is writing about which character from Scottish history. Luckily, the Vile Arts is having a competition. Can you match up the writers with their subjects?

THE WRITERS

Peter Arnott

Veteran playwright with a eye for the telling detail and serious intent.

Jo Clifford

Caused a big load of trouble with Jesus, Queen of Heaven, Clifford's work is often sensitive and elegiac with a clear spiritual purpose.

Rob Drummond

Known for liking a fight (Wrestling), he's not frightened of taking on big issues and adores a spot of science

Janice Galloway

Big on dialogue, sharp satirical short stories.

David Greig

Usually called Scotland's most successful playwright, he has done plays about everything from Palestine to Border Ballads. Even did a sequel to Macbeth.

Zinnie Harris

Recently, her remix of Miss Julie impressed at the Citizens, but she is better known for an apocalyptic intensity, and seeing the personalities in the political.

Iain Heggie

Another playwright who has been a fixture since Scottish scripts began to boom.

Stuart Hepburn

Jackie Kay

Poet

A L Kennedy

Sometime stand-up comedian who fears no taboo.

Hardeep Singh Kohli

Controversial political thinker and sometime comedian and excellent cook.

Liz Lochhead

The Makar did a life of her predecessor and friend Edwin Morgan, and seems to have reserved slots at Oran Mor's Play, Pie and Pint programme. Enjoys remaking classics.

Iain Finlay Macleod

Nicola McCartney

Versatile writer and dramaturg.

Johnny McKnight

Currently the clown prince of Scottish drama, no McKnight script would be complete without saucy gags.

Linda McLean

Rona Munro

Did this one about a witch in the International Festival.

James Robertson

Ali Smith

Louise Welsh

Although she is utterly charming, Welsh delves into the dark side of Glasgow in a series of gripping, sinister novels.

THE PICTURES

James Boswell

Friend of Johnson, butt of many jokes and man-slut about town when men wore those fancy wigs.

Robert Burns

Didn't go to the Caribbean to be a slave master, but stayed home and wrote poetry instead.

Michael Clark

If this is the dancer, let's hope he is off the drugs for his monologue.

The Cromartie Fool

Robert Bontine

Cunningham Grahame

James VI (of Scotland) and I (of England and Ireland)

Unified the two crowns in one person, and started all the United Kingdom business.

Prince James receiving his son Prince Henry

Jackie Kay

Poet

Michael McGahey

Chic Murray

Music hall legend and spiritual predecessor of Jim 'Nick Nick' Davidson.

All of the portraits in Gallery 9

Anonymous woman in "Poets' Pub"

Spends eternity hoping the writers will get a round in.

The Oncologists

Cheerful surgeons fighting the darkness.

The Queen

Muse to John Lydon before he went commercial and sold butter

Jimmy Reid

He liked unions, although not necessarily between nations.

Sir Walter Scott

Invented shortbread and tartan tourism.

Mary Queen of Scots

Got her head chopped off.

Muriel Spark

Always in her prime.

Robert Louis Stevenson

PR man for the pirate industries, disguising their rapacious nature behind child friendly parrots-on-shoulders and treasure chests

Clementina Graham Stirling

This is a mystifying choice.