The idea for this novel came from a number of sources. The chance meeting with a Scout Group from Southern Holland whose Scouts, both boys and girls, proudly wore their group’s ‘Necker’ thinking it was made of colourful, checked cloth. The cloth was a Scottish clan tartan but the Dutch Scouts and their Leaders knew nothing of its history. I apologize now for the many questions around the campfire. The many meetings with the Campbells of Backhills Farm who await publication with anticipation, me remembering Mrs. Campbell’s scones and teas on visits to see gun licenses or monitoring the sheep-dipping, prompted my choice of characters. My wife, Kay, has had much to put up with while I worried the concept like a dog with a bone. She faithfully read each chapter as I wrote it and got to know the many characters about as well as their creator. My grateful thanks are now expressed in print. Sister-in-law, Carol, and our good friend, Ailsa, took on the challenge of proof-reading as the novel progressed and a large thank you goes to both of them. The staff at Stirling University Library were extremely helpful during my research, saving me much time and effort while I learned the story of the Scots Brigade from 1572 onwards, the ‘tapestry’ if you will which is the historical background to the present novel.

E-book being published in August, 2007.