Judges at a prestigious Highland book contest have said this year’s contenders are “incredibly strong”.
Organisers Moniack Mhor announced the four shortlisted books for The Highland Book Prize 2018, yesterday, saying judges had no small task in selecting from the strong and varied long list.
The four shortlisted titles are The Last Wilderness by Neil Ansell, Now We Shall Be Entirely Free by Andrew Miller, The Assynt Crofter by Judith Ross Napier and the The Valley at the Centre of the World by Malachy Tallack.
The panel surveyed a wide range of genres to create the list, which encompasses biography, fiction and memoir.
With 56 books submitted from 30 publishers, a panel of 91 volunteer readers helped with the initial stages of the task of finding a winner.
Jenny Niven, chairwoman of the panel of judges, said: “It has been a privilege to be part of the jury once again for the Highland Book Prize.
“Reading the long list took my fellow judges and I across the seas and around the islands, as well as through the centuries.
“We emerge having experienced Highland stories from an astonishing range of perspectives and with both a greater appreciation of the richness and diversity of this part of Scotland, and exhilarated by the creativity it has inspired.”
The winner will be announced at the Ullapool Book Festival, taking place between May 10–12, and receive prize money of £1,000 and a writing retreat at Moniack Mhor.