'This is my legacy to area that has given so much to my family and I'
A retired teacher has penned a children's adventure book set in the familiar local surroundings of the Cairngorms.
Ken Ramsay (64), who lives in Fraserburgh, is now a part-time-hobby writer.
He explained: "One of my family's favourite haunts in Scotland is Aviemore, Loch Morlich and the Cairngorms. I have written a book, a tale of adventure based in the wonderful Cairngorms. It has the title The Numpties.
"Young kids from Devon, Nell and Murray win a post-lockdown prize to visit the Cairngorms, and then follows a scary adventure, beyond their wildest dreams."
Ramsay continued: "The book is for ages nine-12 but it can be read by parents to smaller children and should be a fine bit of light reading for adults too. I hope it shows off the beauty of the area and my love for those special mountains and lochs and forests."
The author has used a pen name for the book – Carin Gorm.
Ramsay told the Strathy: "I have loved the Cairngorms area for a long time now.
"It started with the exhausting and exhilarating Lairig Ghru, over two days, all the way from Braemar, then I went on to enjoy all the Cairngorm Munros, in all seasons and in all weathers.
"The Cairngorm experiences were the making of me, for sure.
"As family life came upon me, kids and grandparents have loved the scenery of the lower-level walks to the Green Loch and Ryvoan, the Loch Morlich trail and of course the circular walk at Loch an Eilein.
"Years of visits inspired me to write this book, a homage to the Cairngorms I suppose, and I was motivated to get right down to it in 2020/2021 when there were newspaper reports of poor visitor behaviour, threatening to spoil the beauty and tranquillity of our beautiful lochs, rivers, hills and mountains.
"This is my legacy.
"My gift to the area that has given do much to me, to my family, to my friends."
A keen interest in books and in local history led him to become a self-publishing author and retirement has allowed him to enjoy this hobby of
storytelling even more.
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He said: "I self-publish to avoid any literary interference in my writing and in the pricing of the books. I wish to keep the price as low as possible to offer access to all in reading and buying books."
Copies of the book, priced £3.99, A5 size, 129 pages, are available exclusively at Marjory Marshall’s independent bookshop The
Bookmark in Grantown.
Ramsay added: "Marjory and her husband are real book enthusiasts, and I am grateful and delighted for their support."
Story overview
2020 was of course bit of a nightmare for the human race. A killer virus required lockdown and there were many tragic experiences of loss and bewilderment.
With the strict rules of staying at home and of social distancing, many British families longed for getting back to normal.
Nell and Murray Davidson, of Devon, were desperate to get back to school, desperate to play with friends, desperate to get back to hobbies and clubs, desperate for a wee holiday.
Well, as life returned, there was terrific news. The parents of Nell and Murray won a prize. A trip to Scotland.
And off they went. All went well, until it didn’t!
Nell and Murray’s trip turns into a rollercoaster adventure. A trip of their best dreams. A trip of their worst nightmares.
The pair are joined in their Cairngorm adventures by characters including dear Uncle Hamish, the fabulous Miro of the Mountains, the cute Cairngorm John and The Scary Murchus of Loch an Eilein... and the terrible Numpties.
