The Moss o Rora Book by Allan JR Thomson - Poems and Tales of North East Scotland

Allan has a lovely manner of writing, almost as if the reader is in front of a wood fire with Allan gently reading. So much so that it is difficult to put down. The mixture of facts, self-penned poetry and stories make for such a joyful read. I particularly liked "Willie's Waiscuit":


Willie got a waistcuit bocht
O' funcy claith an' colours
His mither brocht fae Peterheid
An' teen it till The Bullers…


Stories to look out for include a history of the folk who lived and worked at Mosside Croft in Hatton, the Bogie Rolls tobacco smoked in pipes by agricultural workers and the secrets of Grunny Sangster from Berrylea Croft. My favourite is the naughty deed done by the author when he was a Police Officer at the door of Number 10 Downing Street!

Proceeds from The Moss o Rora Book are donated to Ninewells Hospital Cancer Campaign through the Kirriemuir Rotary Club, of which Allan is a member. It is so easy to see why Allan has already raised over £9000 as this is the best Doric book I have read this year.