The author of the beloved Katie Morag book series was the star attraction at a gardening festival raising funds for a children’s charity.
Mairi Hedderwick, from Kiltarlity in Inverness-shire, read to a packed tent at Gardening Scotland over the weekend.
The session was set up to raise funds for the NSPCC, the official charity of the event held near Edinburgh.
The popular series of books relates the story of Katie Morag and the fictional Isle of Struay, set off the west coast.
The stories have been made into a Bafta winning children’s television series, attracting a new generation of fans.
Ms Hedderwick said: “I’m delighted to be supporting NSPCC Scotland at Gardening Scotland. It has been a wonderful day. It’s such an important charity in the fight against child abuse and it’s great to be here to see the work that charity has been doing in Scotland.
“The children really enjoyed the Katie Morag stories – the tent was packed out. She clearly has a big fan club. It was lovely to see them so engaged in the adventures of Katie Morag.”
In the audience was Tracey McDonald, 36, from Fife who said: “My little girl Eve is a huge fan. She even wore a similar Katie Morag jumper for the occasion.
“We have visited the Isle of Harris and Lewis and we saw the Katie Morag house. But meeting the author and listening to the storytelling session has been the highlight.”
Gardening Scotland marketing manager Annie Wheeler added: “The Katie Morag books are a huge part of so many people’s childhood memories, and to hear the stories read by the author is something everyone loved.
“Welcoming Mairi Hedderwick to Gardening Scotland has been fantastic and we are so pleased that our visitors had the chance to meet her in person. “
