Historical fact and fiction at next John O’Groats Book Festival event
Two writers, each with a different take on history, are set to appear at the next event on the John O’Groats Book Festival programme.
Alastair Mitchell and Liz MacRae Shaw will give a talk at the Together Travel corporate lodge on Saturday, September 10.
Now in its fourth year, the festival began in March and runs until October.
Alastair Mitchell is the author of a new book, The Immeasurable Wilds: Travellers to the Far North of Scotland, 1600-1900, in which he details the journeys, trials and tribulations of early travellers – from mapmakers to geologists and casual tourists. It is a detailed account of how the north of Scotland appeared to these intrepid visitors.
Alastair was for 40 years an orchestral musician, playing the bassoon in the world of period performance – using original instruments to perform the classical repertoire. Towards the end of his career he was able to combine this with a modest business selling antiques, mostly books, maps and prints.
He amassed a number of items relating to the far north, an area that he has been visiting since his family discovered it in the 1960s. Alastair’s parents retired to Talmine, on the north coast of Sutherland, in the early 1980s and it was his love of the area, and his interest in what he had collected, that inspired him to write The Immeasurable Wilds.
Liz MacRae Shaw writes historical novels with a Highland flavour. Her first two novels, Love and Music Will Endure and No Safe Anchorage, are set during the 19th century, while her latest book, Had We Never Loved So Blindly, has a World War II theme.
The story follows the lives and loves of two very different people who, despite class differences, are drawn together.
Liz’s mother was born and bred on Skye. Although Liz was brought up in England, she spent all summer holidays with her grandparents on the island and became immersed in its music, history and landscape. Her love of Skye has inspired her writing.
Organiser Ian Leith said: "Both writers will talk about their work, looking at the research that goes into it and the different approaches in respect of writing historical fact and historical fiction.
"This is the final lead-up event to the John O’Groats Book Festival weekend in late October, which will feature a number of writers.
"We would like to thank Foundation Scotland and Together Travel for their continued support."
The event starts at 2.30pm and admission (at the door) will be £10.