A DEBUT novel, more than 30 years in the making and involving East Lothian, is released next month.

The Herbal Detective by Charlie Laidlaw is released on October 15 at The Golf Inn, Gullane, at 6.30pm.

The 61-year-old admitted writing a book was something he had thought about doing for a while and was glad to finally get it down on paper.

He said: “It is something I have always done, writing for a living.

“I suppose from a very early age, it was at the back of my mind that I wanted to write a book and that ambition never went away.”

Mr Laidlaw, who is writing under the name Charlie Gray, told the Courier the book was set in a fictional village, although inspiration had come from the Garden County.

Described as 'comedy with a bit of drama thrown in', the Herbal Detective features Rosie McLeod, a pub owner and gifted herbalist, who lives in the village of Holy Cross.

However, strange things start to happen with the sighting of a large black cat, sneaking suspicions of occult activity, and an impending General Election.

Mr Laidlaw, from Gullane, said: “There are small parts of the book set in recognisable places such as Haddington or North Berwick but the vast bulk is set in this fictional place which is, I suppose, a slightly Brigadoon-type town.

“It gave me the freedom to develop the narrative with a great deal of medical and herbal lore, and then to push every boundary of credibility.

“It simply wouldn’t have worked in a real village.”

Starting out in journalism in Glasgow, the first-time author moved to London to join the Security Service.

Twenty-five years ago he returned north of the Border and became a marketing consultant in Edinburgh.

However, the dream of becoming a writing a book had remained with him.

Now, he is eagerly awaiting a hard copy of the book arriving in the coming days.

He said: “It's been a long time, so, I am looking forward to the booking arriving.”