Our Wildlife Guides are often asked, “What do you do in the winter?” Two of our Guides, Zoë Stevenson and Lynsey Bland have been very busy working on an exciting and delightful project when they weren’t guiding with us during the summer months. They are about to launch a children’s book which is turning into a major success story.
Two years ago Zoë approached Lynsey with an idea of a story, sparked by a comment “that it looked like black guillemots (also known as tysties) were wearing wellies when they fly.” Zoë imagined a colourful children’s book which would take a journey through the Hebrides, finding out what colour the “wellies” of the other bird species were. Lynsey jumped at the chance to be involved. During lockdown, when unable to go to sea, she had developed a passion for drawing seabirds. The opportunity to illustrate a children’s book celebrating the seabirds of the Hebrides in such a fun way was irresistible.
Zoë and Lynsey worked together on the text and illustrations to bring the idea of the book to life. The story follows Usha, a little girl on holiday in the Hebrides as she visits iconic landmarks, meeting different types of seabirds, with various colours of feet, while wearing her own coloured wellies of course. Zoë put a lot of thought into which locations to include in the story. Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull had to have a mention because it’s where Zoë and Lynsey live, while other destinations include the Isle of Coll, Scalpay Lighthouse and the isle of Staffa, famous for Fingal’s Cave. These are places which you may recognise from our cruises and you may also spot that a certain vessel looks very familiar! Once the text was complete, Lynsey characterised the story with her delightful illustrations
Zoë and Lynsey then launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the publication of the book, amazingly reaching their funding goal in just 24 hours. The enthusiasm for the book was so strong the fund doubled before the end of the campaign, and the book was featured as a 'Project We Love' by KickStarter. This caught the attention of Edinburgh-based publisher, Birlinn, who decided to take on the publishing and releasing of the book which was a major boost.
The publication of What Colour Are Your Wellies? would not have been possible without the support of the local community on Mull where Zoë and Lynsey live. They were delighted that so many of their friends and guests on board Hebrides Cruises loved the idea of the book and pledged to buy one or more copies.
Lynsey and Zoë hope that their book will inspire young children to look at what is around them and spark a passion for wildlife that will last their whole lives. “ What Colour Are Your Wellies?” will be officially published on 4 April 2024, available from local bookshops and online.
I recently had the pleasure of embarking on an unforgettable cruise to the Hebrides Cruises ( Skye, Small Islands,and the Shiants, in Scotland ( May 13-21, 2023), and I must say it was an experience that exceeded all expectations. The 8-day journey was filled with breathtaking scenery, fascinating insights, and a genuine sense of camaraderie among the 8 participants and 4 staff members on board. One of the highlights of this cruise was undoubtedly the exceptional staff. From the knowledgeable and enthusiastic naturalist to the experienced skipper, each member of the team showcased a remarkable dedication to our well-being and enjoyment throughout the trip. The naturalist's expertise and passion for the islands were evident in every interaction, making each wildlife sighting and nature excursion a truly enriching experience. The skipper's lifelong knowledge of the islands and the sea, along with his emphasis on safety, instilled a sense of confidence and allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the beauty of the Hebrides. Not to be forgotten is the cook, whose culinary skills transformed each meal into a delightful gastronomic experience. Not only were the dishes healthy and delicious, but they were also beautifully presented, showcasing the cook's artistic talents. Finally, and not any less significant, was the boat swain's excellent customer service, always attentive to our needs and ensuring our comfort throughout the journey. His prompt response to any request with a touch of his humor, further added to the overall exceptional service on board. What set this cruise apart was the intimate atmosphere created by the small group size and the daily rituals shared among the participants. The shared adventures and delicious meals fostered a sense of closeness and allowed for meaningful connections to be formed. We gathered each day to recount our sightings of birds and sea life, engaging in storytelling and discussion. This combination of shared experiences and diverse perspectives, with travelers from different
Alison Kinsey: 13 May 2023Skye, the Small Isles and the Shiants