Addingmynametothe listofliteraryfigures

In last Tuesday’s letters to the editor (PA, October 15), you kindly published a letter I wrote titled‘All our Perthshire poets deserve so much praise’.

Well, I am pleased to inform you that I have added my name to those men and women of verse, although I wish to add in a small way.

In 1976 I wrote a book of verse titled ‘Summer paths, autumn ways’.

It was, as now, a small project, as just 60 poems were published.

I always recall a dull Sunday where I walked alone to the Nicoll monument at Tulliebelton in Bankfoot, and holding my book I was snapped beside the memorial to the poet.

It just seemed right and I felt that, although he died in 1837 aged 23, the young poet was beside me in spirit.

I always had in my mind to do a sequel as writing has been a pursuit I have enjoyed most of my life, and so when I was approached almost out of the blue by a publisher named AH Stockwall based in Devon, who specialise in low cost small books, I seized the opportunity.

As so many poets do, stuff they write is kept in folders, so I picked out those I felt suitable on the theme of ‘Thoughts of home’, the book’s title.

Some of the poems were inspired by standing in the shadow of the former church of Auchtergaven, ravaged by fire in 2004, looking around and down on the village, my thoughts - and I am so pleased with my choice.

As I write this letter, I await with anticipation the sending of the proof copy, which as I have been assured, is the biggest part of any book.

Just 50 books have been produced as it is such a small book, less than 20 poems each, but they are not for sale, rather earmarked for various outlets such as libraries, etc.

‘Thoughts of home’, will always remain throughout Scottish literary institutions and in my own small way