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.
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 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.
