A north author is preparing to launch her latest book depicting Fortrose Cathedral’s place in medieval history.
Elizabeth Sutherland, from the Black Isle village, was inspired by the inquisitive minds of her grandchildren to write the novel Highland Cathedral: the Rise and Fall of the Great Kirk of Ross illustrating the stories of the town’s 13th century cathedral.
The book has been two years in the making for the 92-year-old author, with Mrs Sutherland composing the stories to accompany illustrations by local artist Rachel Bevan Baker.
She said: “The idea came from my two grandchildren, my daughter-in-law’s children who said to my son what happened here looking round the ruins of the cathedral and my son couldn’t answer him because he didn’t know. He asked me if I would write a book basically for young people about the history of the cathedral.
“The book is intended for everyone. The illustrations are really so lively and the little mice in them and the same child appears in them all so you have to find it, so it’s for children in that way but the text covers enough history to be suitable for adults too.”
The historic ruin currently resides on Cathedral Square as one of 13 medieval cathedral’s in existence across Scotland.
Mrs Sutherland said it’s “everyone’s right” to know the historic tales which unfolded within the walls of the century-old monument.
She added: “The cathedral has dominated the centre of Fortrose for over seven and a half hundred years from 1250 an it’s always been there at the centre of the village but very few people today know the stories of what happened, they are good stories lots of things happened there and I felt it was everyone’s right especially young people’s right to know what happened in the heart of their town.”
To mark the official launch of the book, a signing will be held a week Sunday from 2.30pm to 4pm in the grounds of the historic monument.
Local musicians including local community choirs ‘Jubilate’ and ‘Union Street’ will unite for the occasion to put on a show stopping performance inside the medieval Cathedral alongside Cnoc Fyrish Players and pipers.
A copy of the iconic novel can be purchased for £10 with all proceeds going to Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council.
The author thanked the community for their support saying: “I have been writing about history and novels for most of my life and so this is something I really wanted to do. I’m so grateful to my family and all the people who have supported the publication of this book.”
