Hamish McHaggis and the Edinburgh Adventure

Product Information

Don’t Judge Me – come and discover the unusual way this book came about and how we all make judgements about people we know, but some of them can be dangerous. Others may be familiar with the dish that is served on ‘Burns night’ on 25th January, to celebrate the great Scottish bard Robert Burns, accompanied by toasts, assorted speeches, and even the odd glass of whisky! Linda Strachan has written over 70 books for all ages, interests and abilities and, over the last 20 years, has helped to inspire thousands of young people and emerging writers through her events and writing workshops. When children are engaged and gripped by what they read this can lead to a life long love of books and learning.

One was too babyish and another was a bit too old and had a long beard - he eventually became Hamish’s grandad Although we try not to mention eating haggis in the presence of our Hamish McHaggis. He might get a little upset!) I even had fun experimenting with different flours, but in the end the most practical for us was a third strong white flour, a third wholemeal and a third berrymeal (which had seeds in it.) This made a delicious loaf that sliced easily and everyone was happy to eat it. At the end of school that day one S5 pupil, who had chosen to stay in the library to listen to your session, rushed in to borrow the last copy of Spider – a result!’

Teachers’ Resources for The Hamish McHaggis Series

Linda delivers interactive, informative and fun author sessions, tailored specifically to different age groups, from the youngest children to the top of the senior school and for adult writers. She enthrals her audience with her energy and enthusiasm and is happy to speak to large or small groups. Her passionate approach is simple but effective and she firmly believes in encouraging emerging writers through a mixture of enthusiasm for her subject and sound, practical advice. Hamish also meets up with other friends and relatives during the series such as his grandad Rory (above)who lives in Glamis castle, the international clan members - McHaggises from all over the world who come to visit for the Clan Gathering. Age restrictions: All Ages. I will be visiting Fishermoss, Newtonhill and Portlethen Primary schools –

I am really looking forward to returning to St Aidan’s High School – which hosted the Catalyst awards in October this year- and was the school that won the review competition. I will be speaking to S3 There is something very satisfying about kneading bread and then seeing it rise. Even more wonderful is that delicious smell of newly baked bread permeating the house. Arvon Foundation RESIDENTIAL WRITING COURSE Writing for Children with co tutor Teresa Flavin !2-17th August 2013

About Me

If you are considering using the Hamish McHaggis series for a school project you can find some free teaching resources https://www.lindastrachan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/hamish_mchaggis_notes-School-resources-2020.pdf Time: 10:00am. Moved from December because of the snow I am looking forward to visiting Hamilton College on Monday 17th January 2011 Sessions follow the same format as those detailed below for older children, and will focus on Linda’s award winning books, Spider, Dead Boy Talking, and Don’t Judge Me. Hamish McHaggis lives in a Hoggle with his friends, Angus a cheeky Pine Marten, Rupert a travelling Hedgehog from Kent in England and Jeannie the osprey. Together they travel around in their wonderful vehicle the Whirry Bang. They often go to visit places in Scotland such as Loch Ness to visit their friend Nessie; Glamis Castle where Hamish’s Grandpappy, Rory McHaggis, knows all about the ghosts and Edinburgh to see the castle and watch the Tattoo.

All of the visits were with Hamish McHaggis books and it is always a joy to see how the schools and the children take to Hamish and his adventures, In some schools my visit was to launch them into a period of exploring Scotland with the books which works well, especially as there are Scottish Book Trust resources for teachers and the schools seemed to know all about them. Some of the children already had Hamish books at home and delighted in telling me which ones they had.When I am writing I often take a break and nothing makes me relax more than cooking, and especially making bread. Writing for Children' is such a wide subject that it is difficult to do it justice in a two hour workshop as those coming to it might be interested mainly in one area or another, although many writers who write for children write for more than one age group and more than one genre. It is part of what makes it so fascinating and rewarding. I hope those who attended enjoyed it and found something that worked for them. Two days of fun and excitement for all the family. – be a part of history- Meet Hamish and see his amazing Whirry Bang vehicle Workshop with young creative writers at Newminster Middle Schools – in co ordination with Hexham Book Festival

Hamish needed some woodland friends and I wanted to choose some that were less common creatures such as a pine marten (Angus) an osprey (Jeannie). Age restrictions: All Ages. Foulford Primary School is having their book week and I will be speaking to the nursery and P1 then P2-P3 about WHAT COLOUR IS LOVE? and HAMISH McHAGGIS Please note : – RE Author events and school visits. Thank you for considering me, but for the moment I will notbe available for events or school visits ( in person or virtual), for the rest of this school year (2022-23). More information about author visits is available on this linkHamish, Rupert (Hedgehog) Angus Pine Marten) and Jeannie (Osprey) have exciting adventures all over Scotland . I will be a tutor on the ARVON residential course – Writing for Children -with Cathy MacPhail and guest speaker, agent Kathryn Ross of Fraser Ross Associates On the Thursday it was World Book Night and I had been invited to the Aberdeen Central Library to speak to parents and children as part of the celebrations. We were delighted when Linda agreed to be one of the authors at our first Children’s Book Event at Turnberry. She really captivated her audience and brought her books alive!’ Turnberry Resort, Scotland