Author Barry has High-land hopes for his new novel

South Shore born Barry Litherland now calls a remote cottage, six miles from John O’Groats, home.

And it is the rugged landscape and sometimes bleak countryside which has proved an inspiration for his first published work.

He said: “The landscape has been a great inspiration to me. Every time I look out the window I am inspired to write.”

The 63-year-old was born in Swindon Avenue, and attended Waterloo Primary School and Blackpool Grammar School.

After three years at Exeter University he returned to Poulton-le-Fylde College of Education.

After qualifying as a teacher, he worked in primary schools in Longridge and Preston for many years.

He met his wife, Susan, 61, of 44 years when they were teenage sweethearts.

She too is a Blackpool girl, from Little Bispham, and still has family and friends in the resort.

The couple fancied a change of scene and moved first to Devon and then to Dumfries and Galloway and ultimately to the far north of Scotland.

The couple’s house is built on land owned by the Mey Estate – the late Queen Mother’s Scottish retreat.

The Mey Highland Games, which are always attended by Prince Charles, take place in a field across the moorland from their home.

Barry has written three novels which will be published over the next two years.

Two of them are set in the mountains of the North West Highlands.

The first, ‘The Cave’ has already received rave reviews north of the border.

He said: “We never forget Blackpool and still miss the area but I would say the Highlands are now our home.”