Ex Met detective turned author gives ‘excellent’ talk at Tain’s St Duthac Day celebration
An audience of around 60 people attended a talk by Black Isle-based author Neil Lancaster at the Tain Masonic Lodge last weekend, writes Peter Newman.
The event, which also included a book signing, a raffle, a sale of pre-loved books, home baking and teas and coffees, was the centrepiece event to celebrate St Duthac Day and was arranged by the St Duthac Book and Arts Festival organising group.
Lancaster is the author of three books in the Tom Novak series as well as the DS Max Craigie novels, the fourth of which, ‘When Shadows Fall’, is out at the end of this month.
Lancaster, whose novel ‘The Blood Tide’ was longlisted for the William McIlvanney Prize, spoke about his background both in the RAF and later as a detective in the Metropolitan Police, which saw him undertake a variety of duties, including working on the Milly Dowler investigation.
Chairperson of the festival committee Frances Wood said: “It was a lovely event, and we were very pleased to welcome Neil, who gave an excellent talk to our enthusiastic crowd.
“Neil has been involved with the festival before, but it was during Covid, and things were all a little disrupted. It was a huge pleasure, therefore, to have him in person, talk so engagingly, and take questions from the audience.
“It was excellent to see so many people make it along, especially as there were a number of other events in the town on the day. It all just goes to show what an appetite there is for books and the arts in Tain and Easter Ross – and I’m sure the home baking played its part too!”
The next event for the St Duthac Books and Arts Festival is the Annual General Meeting on April 24 at 7.30pm in the Lesser Town Hall, Tain. All are welcome.
