AUCHINLECK Acedemy pupils savoured a literary treat during the Boswell Book Festival at Dumfries House.

They were invited to the seventh edition of the festival, named in honour of renowned 18th-Century writer James Boswell from Auchinleck, to participate in a series of workshops.

Around 400 pupils from 14 local schools participated in literary activities and were treated to a tour of Dumfries House.

Pupils met Boswell himself in the guise of actor Kenny Boyle, who relayed tales of the ninth Laird of Auchinleck’s friendship with legendary literary figure Dr Samuel Johnson to inspire pupils to write about their own friendships.

Nicola Davies, a trained zoologist and one of the original presenters on BBC’s Really Wild Show who is now a best-selling children’s author on natural world and biodiversity, gave an hour-long presentation informed by some of the true stories that have inspired her books.

Heather Carrington, who led the Auchinleck group with fellow biology teacher Nicole McCabe, said: “When we heard Nicola Davies would be running one of the workshops, we saw it as an opportunity to combine literacy with science. The kids remained engaged and took a lot from it and found they can be imaginative and creative around science.

“Meeting James Boswell was fantastic and the teachers and pupils absolutely bought into it.

“What Dumfries House offers facilitates learning in class and provides a great community link.

“We always jump at the opportunity to make use of the facilities, which are just a stone’s throw away from our school.”

Caroline Knox, organiser of Boswell Book Festival, said: “We love to enable children from as many local schools as possible to become involved and, this year, to meet first-hand such a high-profile author in Nicola Davies, not to mention Mr Boswell.”