A LARGS author has used lockdown as a driving force to publish a first book he started 20 years ago.

The Fenian, written by retired columnist and lecturer Mike Kernan, is a love story set in the time of sectarian division in Scotland.

Mike, 63, who has lived in Largs for 30 years, wrote the first copy of his novel more than 20 years ago, but is finally moving to have it published.

He said: “I wrote the first version of the book back in 2000, then I got a big promotion at work and I had to put it aside.

“When I retired a couple of years ago, I wrote a second novel, so during lockdown my mind was focussed to update the first book and get it published.

“I realised it was now or never. It was interesting coming back to it 20 years later, seeing what I thought was good and what were the flaws in it.”

The book is mostly set in a fictional town in the 1970s, however parts of the book take place in Largs and Millport, with parts of the island described in detail.

The old putting green, the trampolines and fairground behind the Garrison all feature, as do hot peas and vinegar, ‘pokey hats’ and the jukebox at the Ritz Café.

Mike says these memories of the island come from family holidays back in the 80s when Millport was the place to go during the summer months.

He said: “Millport has always been a very special place for me, so this extended section turned out to be my favourite of the whole book – and certainly the most enjoyable part to write.

“When I was a child, my family went to other resorts on the Clyde like Ayr, Troon and Girvan in the summer.

“My wife Margaret and I first began taking our own three children to Millport in the early 1980s, so around the period when the book is set.”

Mike and his family loved the island so much that they came to live as close as possible in Largs when the opportunity arose.

He said: “I’d started a new job in Glasgow and we planned to live in Millport but after doing some research, we realised my shifts would mean I’d often miss the last ferry, especially in winter.

“We settled for Largs and now we can’t think of a better place to bring up a family or enjoy semi-retirement.

“Over the years we’ve taken the opportunity to introduce so many of our family and friends to Millport and my next big ambition is to take my grandson Jimmy.”

Mike says the brief feedback he has had for the new book so far is encouraging.

He said: “I’ve sent it to two people who have finished it, one of whom was a friend of mine from the 70s and we got back in touch through Facebook

“I thought she would have a good perspective on the 70s part of it, and she came back saying that it was one of these stories where you are laughing and have a lump in your throat at the same time.

“I don’t have a particular style or was aiming it at any particular emotions from the reader when I was writing it.

“It’s in the eye of the individual to see what they take out of it, but the general feedback has been very positive.”

The Fenian, by Mike Kernan, is now available on Amazon.