Second volume of tales ‘from the horse’s mouth’ by former-music teacher from Gartymore hits the shelves
The second volume of a Helmsdale-born series of tales “from the horse’s mouth” has hit the bookshelves this month.
Picasso’s Piebald Perspectives: Vol 2, ‘Brief Encanter’ is not only a book for 'horsey' types.
READ ALSO: Ex- music teacher from Gartymore writes book straight from the horse's mouth
Its author, Ruth Whittaker, a retired East Sutherland music teacher of Gartymore, near Helmsdale, released the first ‘laugh out loud’ perspective of her idiosyncratic horse, Willows Picasso, a thirteen-year-old Gypsy Cob, two years ago.
Having always possessed a love for horses, she became Picasso’s owner after her late husband John was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Both he and their daughter Becky felt Ruth needed “something to do” to take her mind off his illness.
Over time, Ruth got to know Willows Picasso, who she notes as a “smallish but sturdy piebald mare with two speeds (dead slow and stop)”.
A Northern Times columnist for 10 years, Ruth soon began to write accounts of day-to-day events, as seen through her pony’s eyes, leading to the compilation of her first book.
Released this week, Volume 2, sub-titled ‘Brief Encanter’, continues the story over 84 pages of tales “for anyone who can appreciate life seasoned with occasional romance, seen through the the sardonic eyes” of Picasso.
The new instalment’s synopsis notes: “Picasso reflects balefully upon the feeble ineptitudes of her particular two-leg (still nursing distant memories of nerveless pony-mad teens) with whom she lives, in the Scottish Highlands.
“In her second collection, Picasso allows glimpses into relationships with others of her kind, particularly White Eye, aka 'Ollie' (Bryn Heulog Popalong), with whom she has been destined to have unexpected reunions throughout a decade.”
The book includes an introduction from long-serving local councillor Deirdre Mackay, a cover designed by Derek Gill, and poignant drawings by a former school mate, Ailsa Skirving-Carrick.
Copies are now available from Glencoast and Timespan, Helmsdale, The Otter’s Couch, Brora, Lindsay’s, Golspie and the Dornoch Bookshop.
Online shoppers may also purchase from Amazon or Waterstones.
