A DUNFERMLINE-BASED author has released his latest children's book just in time for Christmas. 

Ian Hammond Brown's new book, McShoogle and the Woogles in Save the Haggis, was launched at Commercial Primary School in the city recently. 

He explained: "In a glen in Scotland, lives a clan, a caboodle. They are hairy and not scary like a loud and yappy poodle. What are they called? McShoogle & the Woogles!"

The book, written entirely in Scots verse, follows the story of McShoogle and his uproarious Woogle gang as they attempt to outwit the cheeky Haggis Hunters and their mischievous dugs in order to save their friends. 

Ian was inspired to create the character of McShoogle when he remembered the tiny Highlander figurine gift given to him on holiday in Tomintoul when he was 10.

He approached Edinburgh-based Julie Diver to illustrate the book, knowing her through a mutual business networking group.

Work began on the idea in the summer of 2020 during lockdown and initially, the concept idea of McShoogle and the Woogles was submitted for a musicals contest.

Ian has been writing musicals for more than 20 years, including Whisky Galore A Musical which enjoyed critical and box office success at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2006, and Carnegie - The Star-Spangled Scotchman, which won a development grant from Creative Scotland and went on to enjoy a successful run at the 2016 Fringe, as well as performances at Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline.  

Reaching the final 10 in the competition with McShoogle encouraged the duo to develop it as a book, with the plan to grow the brand over multiple platforms.

They aim to build confidence in, encourage, educate and entertain 4-to-8-year-olds while being funny and inclusive.

McShoogle an’ the Woogles in Save the Haggis is available to purchase on Amazon, via the Woogles website.