The Bairns o' Adam book launch

Two large spaces in Biggar museum were filled with the vibrant

paintings of artist Sheila Mullen.

And author Ann Matheson kept the guests enthralled with her explanations of the pictures' origins in Scottish poems and ballads.

There was only one thing missing...the book!

With the launch being held on unlucky for some (October) 13, the curse of that number appeared to raise its head again.

For The Bairns o' Adam was held up at the printers in Hong Kong and is now expected to be released in December.

But even without the book, the evening was excellent.

The book was the idea of former teacher Ann after she saw Sheila's paintings, based on Scottish poems and ballads, in an exhibition.

"I have an immense love of Scottish literature and I was just so gobsmacked by her paintings," said Ann. "I thought 'there's a book here' and I contacted Stenlake."

Ann, who lives in Biggar, has written books about various places for publishers Stenlake in the past, and they were delighted with her latest idea.

For more information on this story, pick up a copy of this week's Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now.