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Jan Patience: Super art… it’s what Katie Morag (and creator Mairi Hedderwick) did

A Mairi Hedderwick illustration of Katie Morag
A Mairi Hedderwick illustration of Katie Morag

The instantly recognisable character of Katie Morag, in trademark knitted jumper, green kilt and black wellies strode into the world when illustrator and author Mairi Hedderwick’s Katie Morag Delivers The Mail was first published in 1984.

The beautifully illustrated island adventures of this happy-go-lucky wee girl with her mane of spun gold hair would go on to capture the imagination of generations of children and adults. It even spawned a hit TV series when it was dramatised for CBeebies in 2013.

The stories are set on the fictional island of Struay, a loosely based version of the inner Hebridean island of Coll, where Hedderwick raised her two children in the 1960s.

The series is loosely based on Hedderwick’s own experience. Katie’s toys are those of her own two children, Grannie Island’s Rayburn stove was her own, and the scene where Katie Morag throws her teddy into the sea is something the author admits doing herself – twice! As an adult.

The 83-year-old illustrator and author, is being honoured with an exhibition, Imagining An Island: Katie Morag And Mairi Hedderwick. It opened yesterday at Inverness Museum and runs until February 18.

A joyous romp through the life and times of Katie Morag, it features original watercolour illustrations, including jacket covers and a storyboard from Katie Morag And The Tiresome Ted.

When Katie Morag Delivers The Mail was published, it was hailed as an example of non-sexist children’s fiction, because of her tractor-fixing, dungaree-wearing Grannie.

The Gourock-born artist claims that was the last thing on her mind, as the sight of women driving tractors is commonplace in the Highlands and Islands.

As the mum of a feisty wee red-haired girl – now grown-up – I can’t wait to see this exhibition.


In the wake of #MeToo, Black Lives Matter and the rise and rise of Pride, our museums and art galleries have been coming to terms with the legacy of the past.

Hidden Histories: Exploring Equality, Diversity And Inclusion at The McManus in Dundee runs throughout 2023.

This fascinating display explores the work curators have been doing to reappraise its 20th Century art collection from different standpoints. It’s an inclusive view that better reflects the diversity of the world we live in.