Victor recounts tales of Arran in the 1950s

Book review

 

A new book by Victor Southgate simply called Victor’s Isle of Arran Adventures has been published by Amazon and is available to buy from a number of local retailers.

 

The 156 page book, which features numerous photographs, recounts the tales and experiences of Victor during his time on Arran where he was born and lived before moving to the mainland to work in the fuel industry.

 

Comprising seven chapters, the book is filled with short stories of people, places and events which will be immediately familiar to anyone living on Arran.

 

The personal accounts also detail Victor’s time working for Lady Jean Fforde, starting in 1957, and many of the experiences and encounters they shared over the years.

 

Other famous names include Prince Rainier III of Monaco and his sister, Lady Antoinette, whom he used to play with as a child, and other aristocratic names who visited Brodick Castle.

 

Victor’s ties to Arran go back several generations with his grandfather being employed by the Duke and Dutchess of Montrose and his father growing up with the Montrose children.

 

In his book, Victor tells the story of how his great uncle Frank and his dog discovered the body of Goatfell murder victim Edwin Rose and his family's association with the famous Pellegrini family, well-known on Arran and synonymous with their ice cream shop and cart in Brodick.

 

Although living in Kirkintilloch, Victor still has many friends on Arran and he still loves visiting them and his place of birth.

 

Profits from the book will go to the Arran Trust to be ploughed back into island improvements and worthy causes.

 

Several island stockests have limited copies of Victor’s Isle of Arran Adventures and it is also available on Amazon in paperback priced £7.12.

 

"attachment_983077" "" "193"] Victor’s Isle of Arran Adventures features people, places and events which will be familiar to many Arran residents.

 

Victor Southgate with his book Victor’s Isle of Arran Adventures which he wrote during lockdown.01_B29Vicsadventures01_23_Victor_Southgate_book

 

Victor’s Isle of Arran Adventures features people, places and events which will be familiar to many Arran residents. 01_B29Vicsadventures01_23_book_cover