At seventeen, Mairi Hedderwick took a job as a mother’s help on the Isle of Coll in the Hebrides, beginning a life-long love affair with islands and their small communities.Mairi’s island world is delightfully reflected in the imaginary island of Struay where her perennially popular Katie Morag stories are set. As well as creating children’s books Mairi has also written and illustrated books for adults, including Highland Journey, Shetland Journey and Sea Change.

'Perfectly exemplifies the desire to wander off the beaten track'

At seventeen, Mairi Hedderwick took a job as a mother’s help on the Isle of Coll in the Hebrides, beginning a life-long love affair with islands and their small communities.Mairi’s island world is delightfully reflected in the imaginary island of Struay where her perennially popular Katie Morag stories are set. As well as creating children’s books Mairi has also written and illustrated books for adults, including Highland Journey, Shetland Journey and Sea Change.

'Perfectly exemplifies the desire to wander off the beaten track'