Writer’s talk

Alexander McCall Smith, creator of The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, is one of the world’s best-known authors and is coming to Perthshire for an evening talking about his career

By his own admission, Alexander McCall Smith is juggling “rather too many writing projects at present” but he’s thoroughly enjoying them.

The international best-selling author is winging his way to Aberfeldy on June 7, where he will be in conversation with Watermill bookshop and gallery owner Kevin Ramage.

The event is set to be an evening of “sheer delight”, says Alexander, who has sold more than 20 million books.

His No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series celebrates its 20th anniversary next year and the evening will be a chance for him to discuss the eagerly anticipated new Isabel Dalhousie novel, A Distant View of Everything. So what can readers expect? “Isabel is a philosopher and wellmeaning intervener in the affairs of others,” says Alexander.

“In this book, she has given some wellintentioned match-making advice to a friend and soon begins to think she may have made a mistake.

“We should all be careful when offering advice on affairs of the heart.”

Meanwhile, a new volume of Scotland Street, A Time of Love and Tartan, will come out in book form in August.

And another in the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, The House of Unexpected Sisters, will be published in September, followed by a new standalone book in October, Loss, Love and the Whole Nine Yards. Then there’s also My Italian Bulldozer. “This book was great fun to write – based (of course) on personal experience,” explains Alexander.

“The writer Paul Stewart arrives in Italy, heading for Montalcino, where he

hopes to finish his latest book. When he gets to the car hire area at the airport there are no cars available and, as you may have guessed, he ends up driving a bulldozer through the wonderful Italian countryside. It gives him quite a different view of Italy – and anything that he doesn’t like can, well, be moved.”

Alexander’s new children’s book series, The School Ship Tobermory, is set aboard a sailing ship, harboured at the Isle of Mull.

“Children who attend the school find themselves embroiled in terrifically exciting adventures which take them all over the world,” he says.

It will be Alexander’s second event with the Watermill and he’s delighted to be returning.

“I’m a great admirer of what Kevin has achieved with it,” he says. “His stock range is remarkable for the size of shop and it’s a great attraction in Aberfeldy.” He’s also a big fan of Perthshire. “I have very fond memories of visiting a family farm in Comrie as a child. And I am particularly fond of Perthshire in the autumn, when the trees are turning and the whole area is ablaze with colour.

“Aberfeldy is a vibrant village and the refurbished cinema looks really attractive. And the people from there are always welcoming.

“Sadly, on this occasion I won’t have much time in the area but I do hope to have time to indulge in a non-fattening slice of cake at the Watermill when I arrive.”

So from his successful viewpoint, has he any advice to budding writers?

“Simply put pen to paper and write. Get the first book out of your system and then start on a second– even if the first remains forever in a drawer,” he says.

Alexander writes in his home study in Edinburgh and while travelling , or as he puts it “wherever I find myself”.

Aside from writing, the author is an amateur bassoonist and he’s excited to be heading to Sweden to perform with the Really Terrible Orchestra. So what can fans expect at Aberfeldy? “Tales, laughter and good cheer.”

I have fond memories of visiting a farm in Comrie as a child

Clockwise from above: Alexander McCall Smith is hosting a talk in Aberfeldy about his career; Jill Scott stars in The No.1

Pictures: Alex Hewitt and Chris Watt. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency; and at work at his home in Edinburgh.