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An author who grew up in Burghead has published his third adventure book set in the violence-strewn era when the Vikings invaded Moray.
The Northern Wave is a trilogy by George Ross, who writes under the pen name G A Ross.
Book three, just like the 76-year-old’s previous two releases, is available in most bookshops as well as online.
George said: “It’s a fascinating period in Moray’s history although the accounts left with from the time differ as to what exactly happened.
“That’s not such a bad thing for someone writing fiction because it leaves you with plenty of scope for filling in the gaps.
“Having said that though, this book is dedicated to the archaeological team at Aberdeen University, who are making fresh discoveries all the time. Their work is really helping expand our collective knowledge.”
George’s story tells of the invasion led by the Viking warrior Sigurd the Mighty in the late 800s AD.
Principal locations are the famous Pictish fort in his home village of Burghead as well as a second hill fort located within eyesight at Forres.
George said: “The three things that Vikings cared most about were silk, silver and slaves.
“There wasn’t much of the first two to be found in the north of Scotland, so their intentions in coming here were pretty clear.
“Not surprisingly they weren’t given a friendly welcome by the local Picts.”
George, a one-time pupil at Burghead as well as the former Hopeman Secondary, left the area to join the merchant navy and ended up celebrating his 16th birthday in China.
He then went on to work in oil spill prevention and recovery for four decades. It was only after he retired to Aberdeen that he took up writing.
He said: “I always wanted to write novels but never had the time. I absolutely love it though. The more you research the source materials the more intriguing it all becomes.
“Growing up in Burghead we were never really told anything about the Vikings or the Picts, which is surprising given the important role they played in the area’s history.
“Even nowadays, when the Vikings are all over TV, there’s still very little about what they got up to in the north of Scotland. Again, that’s also surprising because there were probably more Vikings around here than anywhere else on these shores.
“Sigurd is even buried near Dornach, which is only a day’s longboat ride across the Moray Firth.
“If I can help in highlighting their part in our history then I will be very happy.”
