A new selection of folk tales on Ayrshire subjects has just been written by a Carrick-born story-teller extraordinaire.

Tony Bonning has written a number of best-selling books and this latest one, entitled Folk Tales of Ayrshire, adds to his collection of folk tale books which contain a wonderful collection of folk tales from Ayrshire’s rolling countryside and coast.

Tony has been collecting these for many years, and he is well-respected as a folk tale expert in south-west Scotland.

Tony has been brought up in the story-telling tradition of his Carrick parents, something that has remained with him all of his life.

Included are stories and legends from the county’s past, explaining the origins of Ayr’s Auld Brig, how Ailsa Craig appeared, the tradition of Dundonald Castle, and the Murder Hole. There are also the stories of Old King Cole, Johnny Faa, Maggie Osborne and many more traditional tales, all retold in Tony Bonning’s distinctive style, and illustrated by Jo Jackson Bonning.

The book is on sale at various outlets across Ayrshire, from Waterstones in Ayr, or by post from the publisher, Auchinleck-based Carn Publishing, at www.carnpublishing.com.