Author Kirsten MacQuarrie visits The Nature Library to talk about her book, Remember the Rowan, in conversation with Ayrshire poet Gerry Cambridge.
Divorced and living apart from her two children as she strives against the odds to carve out a career in 1940s London, poet Kathleen Raine is initially unimpressed when she meets would-be portrait painter Gavin Maxwell. Nevertheless, the pair soon bond over childhood memories and a profound love of nature, epitomised by a mysterious vision they share of a rowan tree.
When Gavin confides that he is ‘more of a man’s man’, Kathleen remains determined that their connection can survive. They share a cottage in the wildest reaches of the West Highlands, where they care for Gavin’s beloved pet otter Mij and for each other. But when tragedy strikes, love soon turns to hate, and Kathleen finds herself being written out of her own life.
Inspired by the true story of Kathleen Raine and Gavin Maxwell’s ‘some-requited’ love, Remember the Rowan — longlisted for the People's Book Prize — illuminates their extraordinary relationship and shines a light on the woman behind Maxwell's Ring of Bright Water.
122B Montgomery Street, Irvine, KA12 8PW
3-4pm
Free with optional donation, booking essential.
If you have any questions about attending this event please get in touch with Christina at thenaturelib@gmail.com.
_______________________________________
Kirsten MacQuarrie is a Scottish writer, artist and librarian, whose writing has been published by New Writing Scotland, the Scottish Poetry Library, Gutter Magazine, Scottish PEN, Glasgow Women’s Library, the Federation of Writers Scotland, Edinburgh Literary Salon, and others. Kirsten has been shortlisted for a Vogue Magazine Young Talent Award, selected as an Editor’s Choice for the John Byrne Award, and twice winner of the Glasgow Women’s Library Poetry Prize. She has also served twice as a Non-Fiction judge for Scotland’s National Book Awards. Her debut novel Remember the Rowan has been longlisted for the People's Book Prize.
Gerry Cambridge's six poetry collections include Notes for Lighting a Fire (2012) and The Light Acknowledgers & Other Poems (2019; both HappenStance Press), and his first book of prose, The Ayrshire Nestling, was published by Tringa Press in September 2024. In 1995 Gerry founded The Dark Horse, Scotland's leading poetry journal, which will mark its 50th issue in 2025. An Honorary Fellow of the Association for Scottish Literature, in June 2024 Gerry received a Cholmondeley Award for his poetry from the Society of Authors.
