Robin McInnes explores Isle of Wight link to Scottish borders

The St Lawrence-based author has had produced an elaborately decorated gilt-edged book which explores the history of two families from the Scottish borders, who become one family through marriage in the 1950s on the Isle of Wight.

Furthest South – From the Scottish Borders to the Isle of Wight, will be published in late November 2020.

There will only be 495 copies available so pre-ordering is recommended.

It describes the lives and works of two Borders families, the McInneses and the Laidlaws, who both played influential roles in the cultural heritage of the 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 also describes the life and times of the author and how the natural beauties of the Isle of Wight led to a lifetime’s interest and involvement in science and art.

Professor Robin McInnes with his new book.

The new book draws upon, for the first time, the extensive diaries and albums of Professor McInnes's late mother and step-father and the Laidlaw family archives.

Of interest to Isle of Wight readers will no doubt be Dr Eric Laidlaw’s life in the IW Undercliff, his work with the Royal National Hospital at Steephill, and the history of Woolverton House, St Lawrence.

Also of interest is Professor McInnes's lifetime of art, artistic influences, and his 36 years of organising art exhibitions, as well as his work to make the Isle of Wight an international study

site as he explored the Island's coastline.

All copies of the book will be signed and numbered copies, with the names of subscribers included on a list of subscribers, which will be published as two insert pages.

It is illustrated with more than 300 colour and black and white images throughout on fine art paper.

To enquire about ordering, contact Professor McInnes on 854865 or email rgmcinnes@btinternet.com