Book recount's Beatle's Long and Winding Road

A new book detailing John Lennon’s links with the north of Scotland has been written by a former MSP.

Nationalist Mike Russell has penned the the novel The Next Big Thing about the ex-Beatle’s links with Durness in the Scottish Highlands.

The book has just been published and a website set up to promote Lennon’s ties to the tiny Scottish village claims a film about his time there is also in the pipeline.

The novel is published as the musician’s childhood trips to the Sutherland village, which has a population of just 351, are being used for the first time to attract tourists to the area on the northhighlandsscotland.com website.

Between the ages of nine and 14 the musician spent summer holidays in Durness.

He returned in 1969 with his wife Yoko Ono and their children, during which the he survived a car accident at Loch Eriboll.

The novel is based on the former Beatle’s childhood experiences in the north of Scotland.

Mr Russell, a former Scottish National Party South of Scotland MSP, said: “Durness had a major impact on John Lennon.

“It really was where he was often happiest in an at times unhappy childhood.”

Mr Russell, who was the chief executive of the SNP before becoming an MSP, continued: “It is really a little-known story even today. During my research it was quite clear John connected hugely with the area and it holds an untapped potential to attract tourists to see the place that helped shaped John Lennon over the period when he grew from a boy into a teenager.”

During his childhood Lennon and his first cousin Stanley Parkes used to stay at the family croft in Durness.

Mr Parkes has previously welcomed the campaign to highlight Lennon’s links with the area.

He said: “John never forgot those times at Durness. They were among his happiest memories. He loved the wilderness.

“I am delighted that John’s life and times in Durness are being highlighted.

“I hope many tourists will visit the area that meant so much to him and enjoy its beauty and charms as he once did.”