Forres artist John Mackintosh has first novel A Bank of Lupins published

A MULTI-talented Forres loon has had his first novel published.

Poet, musician, singer and songwriter John Mackintosh has added another string to his bow with 'A Bank of Lupins', a fictional tale of a young Edinburgh teacher who believes he has the solution to a problem that had baffled mathematicians for 300 years who leaves for London with the proof in his suitcase ... but never arrives.

John was born in Greenock in 1953 but spent most of his early years in Forres, attending Forres Academy from 1965 to 1971.

He said: "I used to live in Randolph Lane and would walk to school along Councillor’s Walk and Burdshaugh to meet up with my friends on the way. We moved from the old academy at the Anderson’s Institute to the new buildings and I have fond memories of ferrying school equipment from one place to the other. Our English teacher, Mr McGown, encouraged creative writing so I have him to thank for my involvement in poetry and literature."

He added: "I still have good friends in Forres and try to keep in touch as best I can. I don’t get to visit as often as I would wish but I always make sure I spend some time there as part of our holidays up north so that I can catch up with everyone."

After graduating from Forres Academy, John later attained a degree in Economics and Politics at Aberdeen University.

He then qualified as a registered nurse and registered mental nurse in Edinburgh, working for many years in social work. He helped adults with learning difficulties in Fife then the Highlands after moving to Invershin in 2009.

John also writes poetry and his previously published works include ‘A Rural Calendar’ and ‘Pantiles an’ Corbie Stanes’, along with a number of poems in various anthologies.

His first published play, ‘The Ghaist’, was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1998. He followed that in 2002 with ‘A Song of Summer’, a play offering insight into the rustic poet John Clare’s journey through madness to his death in the asylum.

John is also a musician, singer and songwriter who, for many years has performed and recorded, initially with the folk and ceilidh band Shindig. He also recorded under his own name singing acoustic blues, releasing album 'Where Angels Lay'.

"I have always had an interest in music," he said. "Mr Douglas from Forres Academy is largely responsible for that. He would get us all singing together during class."

John took early retirement in 2018.

He said: "NHS Highland were redesigning the way they offered services to people in the community who had learning problems, and redeployment was looming. I decided to move to Melksham, in Wiltshire with my wife Sally and this provided the opportunity and time to return to writing.

"My first novel has met with good reviews which is very encouraging. I am now working on the sequel and will be returning to the Highlands when possible to research the lead character's continuing adventures."

A Bank of Lupins, published by Cepenpark Publishing, is available at www.john-mackintosh.com.