The son of a well-known Highland minister is among five north writers to receive a prestigious writing award.
Library assistant Simon Brown, who lives in Edinburgh but grew up in Dornoch, Sutherland, was one of 10 people to win a Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award.
The 30-year-old is the son of the rev Susan Brown, of Dornoch Cathedral.
Mr Brown’s entry was the first three chapters from his second novel, inspired by the Scottish independence referendum where he paints a far-fetched world where terrorists fight for the Highlands to be independent.
He’s currently working on his third novel, a story about people who work at the department of “Karmic Affairs,” a bureaucratic government organisation full of people who hate their jobs and dish out karma.
Last night Mr Brown, who is inspired by Scottish fiction author Iain Banks, said he was “ecstatic” to receive the award, adding: “I am pretty sure I will wake up and realise it’s all been a dream.
“I just thought I would chance my arm and did not expect it. It was a pleasant surprise.
“I would be delighted to make a living out of writing but it’s just nice to get that validation after a lot of time spent slaving away without any idea of how good my stuff is.”
Mr Brown added that his aim for the year will be to take a block of time out of his working life to focus on completing a first draft of his third novel.
Also nominated in the fiction and narrative non-fiction category were Laura Morgan, a project manager from Sutherland and Sully Huband, a full-time writer from Shetland. Lydia Harris, a retired English teacher from Orkney was nominated for poetry and Christine Laurenson, a social worker from Shetland, was nominated for child and young adult fiction.
The four are among 10 recipients who will get £2,000 and support tailored to their needs.
The awards also include a week-long retreat at Moniack Mhor near Beauly.