DUMFRIESSHIRE poet Hugh McMillan is preparing to trace the ink-credible journey of poet John Keats across Scotland, thanks to a crowdfunding campaign.
The Penpont-based author has long been fascinated with the 19th century poet and has already written one book about Keats’ travels through the region.
Now he wants to continue the journey with a new book re-tracing Keats’ journey from Ayr to Inverness.
And after a couple of funding set-backs, Hugh has created his own crowdfunding page.
He explained: “I’ve been trying to fund a project to trace the rest of John Keats’ walking journey through Scotland and turn it into another even bigger daft book. Creative Scotland have just turned me down for the second time. I’m therefore going to try and crowd fund it. I’m looking for £2000 for the whole two month project.”
So far Hugh’s crowdfunder has generated £1215 and he is well on his way to his £2000 target.
He said: “I am very moved by peoples’ confidence in me and their support of the daft Keats project. Thanks to you lot I can start chapters two and three and I will take you with me along the way, I promise!”
Hugh has now begun planning his re-creation of the journey but hopes his version won’t as scandalous as Keats’.
“Chapter two is Donaghadee to Kingswell, the Irish and Ayrshire experience, involving bank robberies, threats of violence and our heroes being mistaken for, in turn, Frenchies, English spies and thieves,” he said.
“And me shambling about in the great poet’s wake making aw’ sorts of daft connections.
“Chapter three is Glasgow where the poet is embraced by a drunk
- To donate to Hugh’s crowdfunder visit: www.gofundme.com/f/grand-materials-keats-in-scotland.