LINK TO NIGEL TRANTER GROUP CHAT

From this page you can navigate throughout the 'Tranter Online' web site.
(Click on the Saltire to link )

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

'THE CYNIC CONVERTED'
The story of how Helen and I first came to meet and know Nigel.

'A BRIEF TRANTER BIOGRAPHY'
The full story is told in 'Nigel Tranter, Scotland's Storyteller' by Ray Bradfield.Published by B and W, Edinburgh.

'NIGEL AND CASTLES'
His inspiration since childhood. Castles not only inspired his historical novels. He was responsible for many renovations.

' NIGEL'S UNIQUE WAY OF WRITING'
Writing every day for three hours as he walked the shores of Abelady bay Tranter's method was unique to say the least.

' SOME NIGEL MEMORIES'
Two photographs courtesy of the East Lothian Courier. The first shows Nigel and Ray signing copies of his biography in Haddington (December 2001)and the second the unveiling ceremony of the cairn at Aberlady Bay (November 23rd 2001).

'NIGEL AND JANUSZ SLESZYNSKI'
Janusz was a Polish officer and, during the second world war, Nigel and he were friends. 'Delayed Action' (1944) is dedicated to Janusz. This is the story of the research that went in to uncovering the details of that friendship.

NIGEL'S MEMORIAL SERVICE
Held in St. Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh on the 5th of March 2000 this is a reading by Ray Bradfield of three pieces from Nigel's work. Requires broadband to adequately receive the sound file.

'NIGEL'S CHURCH CONNECTIONS
Nigel was born into the 'Catholic Apostolic Church' in which his father was a minister. This section outlines that branch of faith and gives a link to Mansfield Place Church, Edinburgh which he attended. This church is particularly noted for its outstanding murals.

DEDICATION OF MAKER'S COURT STONE
On October 6th 2005 a stone was dedicated by the Scottish Writer's Museum in Maker's Court Edinburh to commemorate Nigel and his work.

ABOUT NIGEL'S BOOKS

A DETAILED TIMELINE OF ALL NIGEL'S BOOKS
Starting in 1935 and ending in 2005, with detailed text and illustrations, this is the most complete timeline of Nigel's work on the internet covering hardback, paperback and foreign editions.

'A DATED TIMELINE OF THE HISTORICAL NOVELS'
The work of Toby Andersson, from Sweden, who is one of our mailing list members, this timeline carefully dates all of Nigel's historical novels and places them on a timeline related to the Monarchs of Scotland.

VAL BIRO GRAPHIC ARTIST
Between 30 and 40 of Nigel's earlier book covers were designed by Val Biro who, in his mid 80s, is still illustrating today. Despite the years of collaborating Val and Nigel never met.Here you will find 30 thumbnails set in a table. NB High graphic content. There is also a link to my Val Biro web pages.

'HEIR PRESUMPTIVE'
A rather strange and macabre short story by Nigel that appeared in a long defunct Scottish magazine 'The Galliard' about 1951.

THE NIGEL TRANTER BIBLIOGRAPHY
Compiled by Colin Mills this book lists and illustrates all Nigel's 137 book. A must for the serious collector or as a reference for the bookseller. Published May 2003

COLIN'S PRICE GUIDE TO FIRST EDITION BOOKS
Colin has also agreed to share with us this detail from his article in 'The Book and Magazine Collector', No228, March 2003 in which he has an article about collecting Tranter books.

THE TRANTER EXHIBITION

'THE NIGEL TRANTER EXHIBITION AT LENNOXLOVE 2003'
The centre was opened at Lennoxlove on the 24th of April 2003. The following web pages contain a wealth of information and photographs of that occasion.
Subsequently, 2006, when Lennoxlove closed for renovation it moved to Abbotsford where it was located in Walter Scott's bedroom.
Now,2009, it is to be found in one of the aisles of Athelstaneford Church. A church that has long associations with Nigel as there he married his wife May on 11th JULY 1933.

THE TRANTER EXHIBITION AT ATHELSTANEFORD CHURCH 2009
The story of Athelstaneford's involvement in establishing the Saltire as the flag of the people of Scotland, the establishing of the Flag Heritage Centre in the Doocot and Nigel's involvement in this plus photographs of the Tranter Exhibition in the church.

MEMBER'S ACTIVITIES

'THE SAN DIEGO SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GAMES 2004'
This event was held in June and Susan Abernethy, one of our list-members, was involved in the organising of the event.

'THE CALIFORNIA GATHERING OF 2004
nancy and Lou and Susan and Toby me up for lunch met in California. This is a record of that meeting.

'THE HELEN CUNNINGHAM TROPHY 2004'
This years task, a short historical story in memory of my wife, will be part of the annual syllabus of the Falkirk Writer's Circle. This was won by Cathering McArdle for her story 'A Dance Around the Fountain' and you can read her story by clicking on the saltire.

'THE LISTMEMBERS 'ROGUES GALLERY' '
Photographs of some of our listmembers, past and present. If you would like to be included here send me a photograph off-list. High graphic content obviously but it should be OK with broadband.

'THE TRANTER 2000 GATHERING AT DIRLETON'
In August 2000 some mailing list members from Scotland, USA, Sweden and Japan got together in Tranter country.

' TRANTER GATHERING IN JAPAN 2002'
Taking advantage of being in Japan for the World Cup some of our list members got together for dinner.

TRANTER GATHERING AT LENNOXLOVE 2003
Ten Tranter enthusiasts from Scotland,Sweden,Japan and Estonia met at the new Tranter Centre,

'MEMBER'S POLL 2002
In September 2002 we carried out a poll of our member's favourite Tranter, the first that they had read, how many read and last to be read. This table, thanks to Hilding, gives details of the results.

'LIST MEMBER'S RESEARCH PAPERS'
Covering a range of topics researched and written by some of our mailing list members. We are always looking for more if you would like to contribute.

AROUND TRANTER'S SCOTLAND

' THE MEMORIAL CAIRN AT ABERLADY BAY'
Erected at the instigation of the East Lothian Council and with some public subscription this memorial to Nigel was unveiled on 23rd November 2000. This day would have been his 91st birthday.

'TOBY'S TRAVELS AROUND TRANTER COUNTRY'
Being a diary of his 'Tranter Gathering' weekend, in words and pictures, of the places around Aberlady that inspired Nigel to produce his amazing and varied output of five MacGregor books.

'TOBY'S TRAVELS AROUND ROB ROY COUNTRY'
After the 'Tranter Gathering' weekend of August 2001, Toby set of to explore Rob Roy's area of influence. His pictures show the beauty and isolation of the area.

'TOBY'S TRAVELS TO FAST CASTLE'
After the 'Tranter Gathering' weekends Toby visited Fast Castle on the Berwickshire coas. Once a grim fearsome place it is now reduced to a ruin. Nigel features it in his quadrilogy about the Cospatricks.

ASSORTED LINKS

' WWW LINKS ASSOCIATED WITH NIGEL'
Links to booksellers in UK and USA who sell 'In Print' books and the restoration of Ballencrief Castle, instigated by Nigel.

' NIGEL TRANTER'S BANNOCKBURN CHESS SET'
Nigel was involved in the creation and the historical aspects of this project from its inception and, as I researched the topic, I was to find some surprises .