A book detailing a fascinating but little-known chapter in the lives of the Brodies of Brodie castle will be published next month.
Author and historian Ian Brodie has delved into his own family history for the project, using the archives at the Moray landmark for his research.
The book, titled Ailment for My Child, will be launched at the castle, near Forres, on May 7.
Written over a number of years, it focuses on the Mr Brodie’s great grandfather, Alexander – the first-born son of William, the 22nd Brodie of Brodie Castle – who went on to marry the sister of infamous Victorian murderer Dr William Palmer.
Mr Brodie said he was prompted to write it after discovering a forgotten memento.
“In my mother’s deed box was Alexander Brodie’s will,” he explained.
“My mother knew nothing about it, and finding out about it is what really prompted my research back into the family.
“It has taken me until about 18 months to gather all the information together and make sense of it.
“Within my family it was suggested that there was a connection between my great grandfather Alexander and the castle, but they didn’t know what.
“What I discovered was that Alexander’s father was William Brodie of Brodie, head of the Brodie Clan, who inherited the title in 1824.
“It’s only 100 pages long, but it does cover quite a lot of ground. At the launch my intention is to give a short talk about the book, without hopefully revealing too much and spoiling it.”
The book can be purchased from Brodie Castle from May 7.