Duncan McLaren
Homage to George MacDonald
George MacDonald was born in Huntly and spent his childhood at The Farm on the edge of Huntly. His book 'Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood' is about his upbringing in this area. His famous fantasy novels for children, 'At the Back of the North Wind' and 'The Princess and the Goblin' (Enid Blyton's favourite book as a child) both allude to MacDonald's own childhood experiences. These books, together with his adult fantasies, 'Phantastes' and 'Lilith' were much admired by Lewis Carroll, Tolkien and C.S. Lewis who said "I regard him as my master". WH Auden called him 'one of the most remarkable writers of the nineteenth century'. In addition, but less well remembered, he wrote many novels about the life, language and customs of early nineteenth century Scotland.
Duncan McLaren was invited in summer 2006 to come to Huntly and write a response to Huntly born Victorian writer George MacDonald for the reader today. This resulted in a book entitled the George MacDonald Diary.
As part of the Homage to George MacDonald, Deveron Arts organised a Festival in March 2007 that included various lectures, the unveiling of a sculpture, and a number of story walks.