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Childhood memoir is Sutherland writer's legacy


By Caroline McMorran

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A MOVING memoir by a Sutherland native has been published - just a few weeks after his death at the age of 80.

‘Where’s Home? Glimpses of a Boy I used to Know?’ by WAM MacKenzie recalls his childhood growing up in Proncy, near Dornoch and Invercharron by Ardgay.

It is the first title to be launched by Ardgay based Carn Bren Publishing Ltd and was released last month.

Carn Bren director Silvia Muras said: “The book is narrated through the eyes of a young boy and follows the MacKenzie family after the father returns from fighting in World War II and they move to a cottage near Invercharron Farm.

“It contains vivid descriptions of local characters, places and a way of life that no longer exists, all narrated with a generous pinch of humour.”

This edition of “Where’s Home?” includes a map, photos and the unedited short story ‘A Corncrake in the Hay’.

The cover shows the author in 1943.
The cover shows the author in 1943.

As a young adult Mr MacKenzie moved to Wolverhampton where he married and worked as a foreman at the Goodyear tyre factory.

The family returned to Dornoch around 1981 and he worked door-to-door as an Everest double glazing salesman throughout the north Highlands.

From the late 1980s until his retirement in 2005, Mr MacKenzie was the owner of the Cathedral Cafe in Dornoch – now Harry Gow Bakery. He moved with his wife to Brora just before he retired

A young Willie (far right) with his siblings Jean, Peter and Barbara in the grounds of Invercharron House.
A young Willie (far right) with his siblings Jean, Peter and Barbara in the grounds of Invercharron House.

Ms Muras said: “Mr MacKenzie was well known from his years in the cafe. He worked 13-hour days during the summer, and that didn’t leave much time for other interests.

“He only really took up writing in his later years, with the encouragement of local writers’ groups, such as the one that met in Dornoch library.

“WHERE’S HOME?” is now available for sale in Dornoch Bookshop (RRP £12) and online via the publisher’s website carnbrenpublishing.co.uk

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