Katie Morag to get Isle of Lewis exhibition

SHE is already the star of a series of best-selling books and an award-winning television show.
Mairi Hedderwick, writer of Katie Morag, in her studio at home. Picture: Robert PerryMairi Hedderwick, writer of Katie Morag, in her studio at home. Picture: Robert Perry
Mairi Hedderwick, writer of Katie Morag, in her studio at home. Picture: Robert Perry

Now red-haired schoolgirl Katie Morag is to get her own exhibition devoted to her Hebridean adventures.

The An Lanntair arts centre in the Isle of Lewis, where the CBeebies series is filmed, will be playing host to the celebration of the hugely popular character.

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Created by author and illustrator Mairi Hedderwick more than 30 years ago, the original Katie Morag picture books were inspired by the writer’s time living on the Hebridean island of Coll and set on the fictional west-coast island of Struay.

An Lanntair Arts Centre in Stornoway. Picture: John MaherAn Lanntair Arts Centre in Stornoway. Picture: John Maher
An Lanntair Arts Centre in Stornoway. Picture: John Maher

The An Lanntair show, which Gourock-born Hedderwick has collaborated on, will feature original artwork, as well as the re-assembled original featured used in the TV show, along with drawings and designs used for the production.

The CBeebies programme hit the headlines last year when Glasgow schoolgirl Cherry Campbell, who plays Katie Morag on screen, won the best performer title at the Children’s BAFTAs. The series also took the best programme award.

Staff at the arts centre, in Stornoway, will be running a series of talks and workshops for both adults and youngsters to coincide with the run of the exhibition in May and June.

The line-up includes appearances from Hedderwick and several key figures involved in the TV series, including director Don Coutts, executive producer Lindy Cameron and screenwriter Sergio Casci.

The exhibition will by opened on 9 May by Hedderwick at a special event which will also feature the screening of two of the most recent Katie Morag episodes and will run until 30 June.

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Roddy Murray, head of visual art and literature at An Lanntair, said: “As a parent, as much as professionally, I am grateful to Mairi for the gift of Katie Morag.

“So it’s a real pleasure to welcome her to An Lanntair and to help bring her creation off the page and into three dimensions.”

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