A STORYTELLER extraordinaire, who is a regular at Mauchline’s Holy Fair, has published a new selection of folk tales centred on Ayrshire subjects.

Carrick-born Tony Bonning is a noted story-teller and musician and in his persona as ‘Aiken Drum’ has performed thousands of shows for children in places such as the Holy Fair.

Having written a number of best-selling books, Tony’s latest work, entitled Folk Tales of Ayrshire, adds to his mounting collection.

Folk Tales of Ayrshire contains more than 60 stories from all over the county. Some of these are well-known traditional tales, such as Sawney Bean the cannibal, or the Murder Hole, but they have all been retold in Tony’s rich and often amusing style.

Tony has been collecting folk tales from Ayrshire for many years and as he is well-respected as a folk tale expert in south-west Scotland, this collection of traditional tales is one that readers will love, with accounts of witches, wraiths, monsters, selkies, mermaids and fairies.

There are also tales of Ayrshire folk who have tried to outwit the Devil himself, or used his secret powers to try to make a better life for themselves.

There 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. And readers can also find stories of Old King Cole 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.