New book by Robin McInnes , the Scottish Borders to the Isle of Wight

By Chris Cornford Nov 17, 2020

 

A new extensively illustrated book by coastal scientist, author and art historian, Professor Robin McInnes OBE, will be published later this month. 
The book describes the lives and works of two Scottish Borders families, the McInneses and the Laidlaws who both played influential roles in the cultural heritage of that region over several generations. The families did not know each other in Scotland yet came to meet and become one family on the south coast of the Isle of Wight in the 1950s. 

The book describes the life and works of Robin, who lives in St Lawrence, and how the natural beauties of the Island provided the inspiration for a lifetime’s interest and involvement in both science and art.

With a foreword by BBC ‘Coast’ presenter Dr Hermione Cockburn the early chapters describe Borders life and family links with Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott of Abbotsford on the Tweed, the Duke of Buccleuch & Queensbury who lived at nearly Bowhill, and family friendships with William Wordsworth, the novelist John Buchan, the artist Anne Redpath and many others. The Laidlaws were poets, writers, adventurers, explorers, scientists and medical practitioners over four generations. Robin’s stepfather, a consultant in chest diseases and keen naturalist, treated patients for 20 years at the Royal National Hospital at Steephill (now the site of Ventnor Botanic Garden).

Three chapters are devoted to Island landscapes and art, both historical and contemporary, and includes many of Robin’s favourite works, which have not been seen before.

The book, priced £28 is limited to 495 signed and numbered copies and can be ordered at www.rmcinnesbooksandimages.com (via Paypal) or by telephoning (01983) 854865. Advance orders now being taken.