Childrens books

The Enchanting Tale of Bannockburn House: A Children’s Storybook Commission

Grand Hall at Bannockburn House
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The Enchanting Tale of Bannockburn House: A Children's Storybook Commission

The Enchanting Tale of Bannockburn House: A Children’s Storybook Commission

In the heart of Scotland lies a place steeped in history and mystery—Bannockburn House. This grand estate, with its sprawling gardens and centuries-old walls, holds within its embrace tales of the past. The whispered stories of the Bogles, or Ghosts as they are commonly known. But this is Scotland and our ghosts are Bogles and Bannockburn House is full of boisterous brave Bogles!

Bannockburn Bogle The Enchanting Tale of Bannockburn House: A Children's Storybook Commission

What is a Bogle?

Never heard of a Bogle? Ever heard of a Boggle or Bogill? What about a Bogeyman?

This ancient word is common not only in Scotland but also Northumbria. The words definition of one of a ghost!

4 Bogles of Bannockburn House The Enchanting Tale of Bannockburn House: A Children's Storybook Commission

The Commission

The Enchanting Tale of Bannockburn House: A Children’s Storybook Commission

I do wish my commission had started with a letter, sealed with a wax stamp bearing the crest of Bannockburn House.

Of course in the 21st Century is begins with a missed voice mail. Next there is a telephone call. Followed by a What’sApp message or two. They eventually introduce me to the faded elegance of Bannockburn House and the amazing group of volunteers who help to run the house.

The Enchanting Tale of Bannockburn House: A Children's Storybook Commission

Ghosty Beggars of Bannockburn House

The Magical Story of Bannockburn House: A Children’s Book Project

Bannockburn House is very popular for Paranormal Evenings. Thrill seekers can attend special events at Bannockburn House, wandering the dark corridors and uncovering its spooky past. Visitors to the events not only leave with a thrill and a CHILL!

Grand Hall at Bannockburn House

Unravelling the Mysteries of Bannockburn House

As an author and illustrator I first need to get to know my character. In this case the character is the beautiful old Manor House and the stories which inhabit its amazing halls and old damp walls. I receive a generous invite to walk the passages and hear some of the history of Bannockburn House by three passionate volunteers. I learn about Bonnie Prince Charlie, the Key to Stirling Auld Toon, The Fire and of course the supernatural inhabitants of this old stately home.

White Room of Bannockburn House

Meet the Characters- The Bogles

Fiona, a talented fabric artist introduces me to the Bogles she has been creating. These Bogles are made from beautiful pieces of recycled wool and scraps of material, buttons and ribbon. The ghostly Bogles are sold in the shop along with other amazing creations. The proceeds of these sales go towards the restoration work which will eventually see Bannockburn House reclaim it’s stately beauty.

mangle at Bannockburn House

Capturing the Magic

I spend an amazing few hours in the company of the volunteers being guided around the building. In each room a little bit more of the houses unique history is shared. Secrets reveal themselves and the atmosphere seeps into my bones.

I take lots of photos, ask lots of questions. All the information, the sights, sounds, smells, penetrate my being. Finally the story of the Beastly Bogles of Bannockburn House slowly begins to take shape!

The Story becomes a Reality

The Enchanting Tale of Bannockburn House: A Children’s Storybook Commission. At last the story of the Beastly Bogles is now written. The next stage of this fun process is illustrating the antics of the Bogles and their amazing adventure!

To learn more about my visit to Bannockburn House and it’s history go to our wee wild adventures website

For more books by Mandy

Flannelfoot a Scottish Bogeyman another tale of things that creep in the night.

Isobel Gowdie the Green Witch of Auldearn another true tale and this time a wee Scottish Witch.

Isobel Gowdie the Green Witch of Auldearn

Isobel Gowdie in the cart being taken to Gallowhill
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Isobel Gowdie the Green Witch of Auldearn an illustrated story book for children, written and illustrated by Mandy E. Rush.

The most lastest subject of Mandy’s children’s book is the real character, Isobel Gowdie. Isobel is a local woman who was accused and convicted of witch craft in the 17th century in Nairnshire.

Evil men judge Isobel Gowdie at her trial

Mandy first heard of the story of Isobel Gowdie after Nairn Museum held a talk in the summer of 2022 held for the year of Scotland’s stories. Mandy then started doing research on Scotland’s most famous witch and found copies of original transcripts of Isobel’s trial, a podcast and much more.

Mandy then went exploring on her bicycle and visited Auldearn on a sunny Sunday. She was keen to visit the Auld Kirk where tortured Isobel confessed to having dealings with the devil and the amazing mural at the square in Auldearn. The Isobel Gowdie Mural by local artist Helen Wright contains illustrations and rhyming verse detailing the horrors of Isobel’s story.

  • Isobel Gowdie Mural in Auldearn
  • Auld Kirk of Auldearn
  • Doocot at Auldearn in blue skies
  • Front cover of Isobel Gowdie the Green Witch of Auldearn book

Isobel Gowdie the Green Witch of Auldearn tells the story of Isobel from the time she was a small girl. She is a special child who finds joy all around her. She tends too and cares for all the creatures which surround her. She helps the old hare escape from an evil snare, she helps Mr Jackdaw when she finds him with a thorn in his wing.

Isobel sings and dances and laughs in the natural world which she inhabits and indeed grows up with the knowledge to be a healer not only to her animal friends. Isobel becomes a healer to her neighbours and friends and even becomes a midwife.

Unfortunately at this time, Nairnshire is not all a tranqility. It is a time of war, famine and sandstorms and the poor young woman becomes an easy scapegoat for powerful men looking for someone to blame for the ills in the shire.

Flannel Foot comes to Plean

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Flannel foot comes to Plean or atleast the author and illustrator did!

Mandy and Arlene at Plean Library

Arlene the lovely librarian at Plean Library and her senior Jan invited me to my old school and library for a special week of events titled, Off The Page. I was thrilled. I had been taken every Tuesday night by my mum to Plean Library, late night opening, for my weekly exchange of books for the week. We all went, Geoge, Campbell and I. Now I was being invited back to my old library to do a book reading and chat. Something I could never have dreamed off!

First of all though I was headed back to my old School, East Plean Primary.

  • Old East Plean Primary
    Old East Plean Primary
  • New East Plean Primary
    New East Plean Primary
  • new east plean badge
    New School Badge
  • Old Badge for East Plean Primary
    Old School Badge
  • Mandy Elizabeth Rush in Primary one
    Primary One and Mandy Elizabeth Rush
  • Mandy Elizabeth Rush reading a book
    Young Mandy reading a book

I had never been inside the new school at East Plean and was a bit surprised with the high security access arrangement, not disappointed, just didn’t realise the double buzz access had arrived in our sleepy wee village.

What a laugh I had! I showed them some old pictures to see if they could tell me some of the places in Flannel Foot a Scottish Bogeyman, base around the Plean. Now I knew some of them would be tricky but some of them had me in stitches.

  • Cockabendies Castle Plean
    Cockabendies Castle Plean
  • The Big Hoose Plean
    The Big Hoose Plean
  • The Big Hoose Plean before the trees grew
    The Big Hoose Plean before the trees grew
  • The Big Hoose, Plean two fences and lots of trees
    The Big Hoose Plean before the trees grew
  • The Corner, The Brae, Plean
    The Corner, The Brae, Plean
  • Anne MacFarlane's store Plean Corner
    Anne MacFarlane’s store Plean Corner
  • Up the Brae the Plean
    Up the Brae the Plean

Cockabendies Castle? The symbol on all their sweatshirts? The school badge? “Stirling Castle! Wallaces Monument! Edinburgh Castle!” None of the wee ones knew it was Cockabendies Castle or as it is called today Plane Castle.

The Corner? Obviously with the older images it was difficult but by the time I got to the newest image one of the wee ones said “Main street” yeah!

Old East Plean Primary? This photo they got super fast!

The Big Hoose? Eventually someone said “The Country Park” perfect!

Cory got conned into looking after Nancy Coo! You can’t have a Highland Coo running around unsupervised in the school gym hall!

The kids at East Plean Primary were fabulous fun!

As Flannel Foot the Scottish Bogeyman is written in our Plean Scots, I asked them to put up their hands if any of them spoke a second language.

Quite a few of the children did speak a second language which was great and a lot of them said French which they had been getting taught at school.

I however said, “I think you might know another language“. Then I asked them what certain parts of the body were called in Scottish!

I was rolling about the floor laughing by then! As they all shouted out

“Heid”, “Arrrrmpit” (I was going for oxter!), “Fit”, “Eurrrrr” (I was going for lug), “Burl”, “Aye”, “Naw!”, “Hoose”, “Moose”

Then we all sang a song for Nancy Coo using our Plean Scots!

  • If you are happy and you know it do all four
    If you are happy and you know it do a Burl!
  • Sing for Nancy Coo
  • Hands up
  • Turning the pages at the book reading
    Time for story
  • East Plean Primary book bug session
    Are your sitting comfortably
  • Laughing with the kids
    Story time
  • If you are happy and you know it do all four
    If you are happy and you know it do a Burl!

Next on to the library which were there was much less singing and dancing yet we had cake! Yum!!

  • Book signing at Plean library
    Signing a book
  • Book reading at Plean Library
    Wee presentation

John O’Groats and the Mermaid

illustration of a mermaid holding 4 magical shells with fish and seaweed
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New Illustrated Story Book from Mandy Elizabeth Rush, inspired by her visit to John O’Groats and local stories and folklore.

John O’Groats, or Jan De Groot is a humble ferry man. One day he rescues the mermaid caught in the Swelkie the Sea Witch’s whirlpool and from that day forward, Jan’s life will never be the same. For his brave deed he receives some local shells, little beautiful pink shells, called groaties. Little does Jan know but these are no ordinary shells but have magic woven into their beauty.

Follow the adventure of Jan De Groot as his kind, heroic deeds around the seas of Caithness, result in him living the live he always dreamed off. Not one filled with wealth and possessions, but one filled with love and laughter.

A story book which is full of love, kindness and adventure as Jan bravely puts others before himself without thought of reward. The perfect bedtime story.

Back Cover of John O'Groats and the Mermaid

Darwin The Finch

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Darwin the Finch

Lucky enough to visit the Galapagos in November and December of 2019, the story of Darwin the Finch was born.

I have been busy illustrating Darwin and his brothers and hope to get the book published soon.

Can you guess what is brothers are called?