An exhibition which aims to uncover the hidden connections between the author of Dracula and the north-east has been backed by one of his surviving relatives.
Bram Stoker visited Cruden Bay, near Peterhead, on several different occasions during a 10-year period while in the process of writing novels.
And, next month, a local heritage society will unveil the efforts of six months of research to reveal secrets about where the writer stayed and how the region affected his work.
Mike Shepherd is a member of the Port Erroll Heritage Group which has organised the event and is himself writing a book on Stoker’s time in the region.
Last night, he revealed that Stoker’s great grandnephew, Dacre, had written to the group to offer his support.
The family estate has already contributed personal photographs for the exhibition, which takes place tomorrow at Port Erroll Village Hall.
But in a letter to the group, Dacre Stoker said he was “sorry” he would not be able to attend it personally.
He added: “So much has already been written in biographies about Bram’s life in Ireland, London, and Whitby, but his time spent on holiday and writing while in Cruden Bay seems to be a mystery.
“Cruden Bay certainly had an impact on Bram’s writing career, as it appears that your lovely town provided a source of inspiration for Bram’s writing of The Waters Mou and The Mystery of the Sea.
“In addition, Slains Castle assumes a position of prominence in the century-old debate about being one of Bram’s inspirations for Castle Dracula.
“Bram lived a very busy life. It gives me a great sense of satisfaction that he seemed to love the environment in Cruden Bay enough to spend a considerable number of years there.
“I look forward to visiting [the vmyself sometime in the not too distant future.”
Stoker had visited Cruden Bay on holidays every year from about 1893.
The exhibition on his life there runs from 10am to 4pm.