Nigel Tranter (1909 - 2000)

Popular and highly prolific British author. Born in Glasgow and brought up in Edinburgh. A Scottish writer through and through, he wrote both historical adult novels and children's adventures set in Scotland and also a number of factual books featuring the bonny lands and isles. He also wrote Westerns under the name of Nye Treadgold.

As far as I know only one of his books was a pony story. This was part of a lively children's adventure series set in various parts of Scotland.

Please see the links for more biographical information on the author and a complete bibliography of his many books.

Ken & Fiona Series:
Atmospheric Scottish-set adventure series in which a pair of intrepid children bring to justice various gangs of crooks. Three of the books have an animal theme, although as far as I know only Border Riding features ponies.

1) SPANIARDS' ISLE (Non-pony)
(BROCKHAMPTON 1958)
ILLUSTRATED BY RICHARD KENNEDY
EDITION PICTURED: First edition (from black & white photo)
SUMMARY: Ken visits Fiona at her Herbridean home. The two children have lots of fun sailing, then get mixed up in a thrilling adventure when the wreck of an old Spanish galleon is discovered near the Isle of Mull.

2) BORDER RIDING
(BROCKHAMPTON 1959)
ILLUSTRATED BY RICHARD KENNEDY
Reprinted in hardback by White Lion in 1977
EDITION PICTURED: 1st edition
SUMMARY: Fiona travels down from the Hebrides to visit Ken at his home in the Scottish borderlands. Ken is excited about the upcoming Border Riding, a traditional ride around the borders in which old customs are re-enacted. However the children's plans to attend the Riding is changed when they encounter a bunch of sheep rustlers.
PONYMAD VIEW: A well-written story with an atmospheric setting and interesting historical facts about the Scottish borders and the tradition of the Border Riding. Also has a pair of likeable heroes in Ken and Fiona. Unfortunately, however, the somewhat tedious sheep rustling plot completely overtakes the story, to its great detriment.
PONYMAD RATING: 2 - 3 HORSESHOES

3) NESTOR THE MONSTER (Non-pony)
(BROCKHAMPTON 1960)
ILLUSTRATED BY RICHARD KENNEDY
Reprinted in paperback by B & W in 1992
EDITION PICTURED: 1st edition, paperback edition
SUMMARY: Ken and Fiona come face to face with the Loch Ness Monster! They only want to photograph it but a gang of men have more sinister designs on the monster. Can the children defeat their dastardly plans…?

4) BIRDS OF A FEATHER (Non-pony)
(BROCKHAMPTON 1961)
ILLUSTRATED BY RICHARD KENNEDY
EDITION PICTURED: 1st edition
SUMMARY: Ken and Fiona  attempt to protect a pair of rare avocets they have discovered and defeat a gang of smugglers.

Collectors Info:
As far as I am aware only Nestor the Monster was reprinted in paperback. All the books are fairly hard to find, especially with dustwrappers.

Books About the Author:

NIGEL TRANTER: SCOTLAND'S STORYTELLER
By Ray Bradfield
(B & W 1999)
Reprinted in hardback by B & W in 2001
SUMMARY: Definitive biography of the author.

Collectors Info:
Fairly easy to find in the UK and reasonable priced. A lot harder to track down and more expensive elsewhere.