Fife author says thanks to inspirational teacher

AFife man has paid tribute to his inspirational former teacher at a Perth school as he begins a career in writing.

Ross Mackay, 35, who now lives in Aberdour, has released his debut book Will and the Whisp. The semi-autobiographical fantasy draws on his experiences growing up in Perth as a youngster who was bullied at school.

Ross says this later led to mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and ultimately attempts on his own life.

He also had stints on psychiatric wards at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.

But Ross says he is now in a better place mentally and has chosen the release of his first book to thank those who have inspired him most.

This includes his family and Peter Ferguson, who was his P7 teacher at Oakbank Primary School.

The pair met up for the first time in years to mark the release of the book.

Ross said: “He is really supportive and I wouldn’t have been a writer if it wasn’t for him.”

Ross’s school recollections are split into two halves. The happy memories of Oakbank are in distinct contrast to a more trying atmosphere at Perth High School.

In the final year at Oakbank he was taught by Peter Ferguson, 60, who has an acknowledgement in Ross’s book.

“He recognised I was creative and really encouraged me to pursue my creativity,” Ross said.

“I still now think back to some of the stuff he encouraged me to do. In primary 7 there was a big competition between different schools and he let me write the script about what we were going to perform. He boosted my confidence by having so much faith in me.”

At secondary school, Ross says he was targeted for being “different”.

“I was an awkward kid, I was a geeky kid so was a bit bullied,” he said.

“I was into drama so would do small performances and I just stood out.

“I wasn’t good at football or sports.

“In the classroom I was one of the targets for quite a while.

“It was also the small things, where if you stick up a hand and give an answer there is a comment from someone at the back of class laughing at you.

“It was the constant persistent bullying that’s subtle but there.”

Will and the Whisp is set at a school identical to Perth High School, with the descriptions of the building and area matching Ross’s recollections.

In the book it is called Worldmouth Academy, which becomes a portal to another world.

“The Whisp in the title is a spirit from another world who gets stuck in a boy in this school,” Ross said.

“The boy, called Will, is an anxious kid who worries a lot, which is a lot like me when I was in secondary school and growing up.

“There are bullies in the book and they’re based on my experiences.

“Will tries to figure out how to get apart from this Whisp and the only way they can do that is through working and living together.”

Peter doesn’t directly feature in the book, but there are some elements of him in Mr Anthony, who is written in as a teacher.

“He can hold a class in the palm of his hand,” Ross said of Mr Anthony.

“He tells a story in front of the class and they just listen to him.

“And that was a bit like Mr Ferguson – the ability to hold the class’s attention, as well as a jokey demeanour.

“However, the teacher ends up dying in my book so he is not completely based on Mr Ferguson!”

Will and The Whisp was released on October 25 by Creative James Media. It is available via Amazon and Waterstones.

A day earlier, Ross took workshops at two Fife primary schools: Aberhill in Leven and St Joseph’s RC in Kelty. The visits were part of the Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour, which is organised by Scottish Book Trust.

He will additionally visit Leslie Primary School today, and Oakbank, Craigie and Kinnoull primary schools tomorrow.

REUNION: Ross Mackay has thanked former teacher Peter Ferguson after releasing his debut book, the semi-autobiographical Will and the Whisp.