Glen Tanar Book Launch

Dr Pierre Founin has just launched his second book, Glen Tanar, Valley of Echoes and Hidden Treasures in the Ballroom at Glen Tanar on Tuesday 17th of November 2009.  This book centres on what many people feel to be a unique and magical Deeside Glen.

A  popular GP who worked in both Cults and Culter surgeries, the mystery of Founin’s French name was revealed in his first book, an autobiography entitled The Early Life & Times of a Glen Tanar Exile.  Pierre, born in 1928, had actually spent an “idyllic” childhood for 15 years at Glen Tanar, where his French father was butler/valet to two Lords Glentanar.  His autobiographical work reflected this with its heartfelt personal memories of Glen Tanar.

However this new book is a marvellous compendium of facts, anecdotes, photographs and illustrations.  Recording the history and treasures of his beloved home has become what friends tell him is “a consuming passion”, and he gathered all that has been written about Glen Tanar, and all personal reminiscences, into this one volume.  From the Bronze Age, through fire raising in the 1715 rebellion and the Clearances, to the more recent past, the places and the people (notably Lord ‘Geordie’ Byron) of or associated with Glen Tanar are faithfully documented and locations noted.  All this has been set out in 302 pages of 29 chapters, each liberally enhanced with photographs and illustrations.

This is a charming, colourful and knowledgeable publication which will surely take its place as a minor Deeside classic.  Distributed by Fouin Books, it is now on sale at Watersons, local book outlets in Ballater, Aboyne, Banchory and Cults, plus St Peter’s Heritage Centre in Culter for £14.99.  We also have copies of the book in the Estate office for sale if you would like to pop in and purchase one or two.

Cover of Dr Fouin's new book

Published by Leopard Press, it was appropriately launched in the Ballroom here at Glen Tanar on Tuesday 17th of November in co-operation with Yeadon’s bookshop, Banchory.  The launch was attended by approximately 150 members of staff  and residents of the Estate and close family and friends of Pierre’s.  Estate owner Claire Bruce was delighted to hold the book launch in the Ballroom and welcome Pierre to come and talk about his ideas behind his wonderful book. 

Claire Bruce and Dr Pierre Fouin

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