School Ship Tobermory sets sail from Mull
WORLD-FAMOUS writer Alexander McCall Smith relaxed in the embrace of Tobermory as he launched his new book. His story School Ship Tober
mory is the first book in a new adventure series for younger readers and was launched on the Mull on October 15.
Alexander McCall Smith, creator of The No. 1 Ladies
Detective Agency travelled over to the island on his small boat from Morvern.
He was greeted by crowds at a signing at the local bookshop, Tobermory Tackle and Books, followed by a family event at Aros Hall. He finished the day with a literary dinner at Hebridean Lodge where he thanked the people of Mull for his warm welcome and for giving him their blessing on naming his School Ship
Tobermory.
Alexander and his publisher Hugh Andrew of Birlinn were delighted to bring the book to Tobermory first before it is seen, read and talked about around the globe. Co-publishers are already in place in America and Australia.
Accompanying the author was the book’s illustrator, Iain McIntosh. Iain and Alexander have worked together for many years and Iain’s work is easily recognised, not only from his illustrations for Alexander’s
44 Scotland Street series, but also for a fine example of his work which appears large on the wall of Tobermory
Distillery beside the harbour and engraved into the glass of their door.
School ship Tobermory tells the story of Ben and Fee MacTavish who are off to a new school.
But this is no ordinary school - it’s the School Ship To
bermory, where young people from all over the world train to be sailors and learn about all things nautical. And what adventures they have.
When a film crew arrives on another ship, the Albatross, Ben is one of the lucky ones to be chosen as a movie extra. But after a day’s filming, his suspicions are aroused - are the director and his crew really making a film or are they up to something more sinister.
Alexander McCall Smith said: ‘ Launching the School
Ship Tobermory in Tobermory itself was a wonderful idea of the publishers. I am delighted this new series for younger readers is based here and I look forward to writing future books in the series.
‘The School Ship Tobermory will be visiting many different parts of the world but it will always return to its home port - and what a wonderful home port that is.’
Iain said: ‘Being involved in the book launch was wonderful.
‘Tobermory Harbour is the perfect setting for the book and a real highlight was meeting harbour master Jim Traynor.’