Author inspired by Chatelherault Park
One of Scotland’s bestloved authors says a Hamilton park is one of his favourite places.
Crime novelist Christopher Brookmyre says Chatelherault Country Park in the town has been the ideal spot for walks and gathering inspiration for some of his works.
The writer – best known for his darkly comic crime fiction – calls the beauty spots one of his favourite haunts, explaining that the network of paths winding through the woods along the Avon Gorge provides the ideal thinking space to come up with the twists and turns of his plots.
Staff at Chatelherault were delighted to hear Christopher’s kind comments and have offered him a free cup of tea any time he is next visiting.
The author welcomed the gesture and said: “I love the tranquillity and the history you find at Chatelherault.
“The ancient woodlands merge with the more modern manmade landscape laid out for the Duke of Hamilton.
“In amongst it there are even the traces of old settlement and industry such as Hoolet Raw. The changing seasons always bring something new, and at any time of year I won’t say no to a nice mug of tea.”
The kettle will always be on at Chatelherault for the site’s celebrity fan, says general manager of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Kay Morrison.
She added: “For us Chatelherault is not just a place of work, it is a much loved part of our lives.
“Christopher’s comments about why he enjoys visiting it were a real joy to read.
“We wanted to thank him for his support.
“It was suggested we offer him the ‘Freedom of Chatelherault’ but one of the great things about our parks is that everyone has the freedom to visit and enjoy them.
“So instead we’d like to offer him a free cup of tea in the Chatelherault Visitor Centre’s Oaks Cafe when he is visiting.”
The author, who is well known to the South Lanarkshire’s libraries team for the support he has given to them, also writes historical fiction with his wife, Dr Marisa Haetzman, under the penname Ambrose Parry.