Varwell took his place among the bronze busts of Sorley MacLean, Jackie Kay, Norman McCaig and Hugh McDiarmid when he launched his own contribution to Scottish literature at Bishop Eden's Palace.

But unlike the "Twelve Poets" who have now taken up permanent residence at Eden Court, 31-year old Varwell is not expecting to make a major impact on Scottish literature with his book "Up The Creek Without a Mullet".

The book tells of the Crown resident's self-imposed mission to track down and visit locations around the world which share their name with the notorious 1980s hairstyle beloved of footballers and rock stars.

"It is a ridiculous story and sometimes I can't believe I fell into it, but it was a great laugh," Varwell, a development advisor for the Scottish Fundraising Council, told The Courier.

Simon Varswell at the launch of his book 'Up the creek without a mullet'. Gary Anthony

Inspired to begin his search after discovering a village called Mullet on the internet, his travels have taken him to Australia, Albania and Ireland, meeting farmers, politicians and clowns along the way.

He was encouraged to translate his adventures into book form by Bob Davidson of Dingwall-based publisher Sandstone Press, which has now released the finished book.

Varwell hopes to write a second volume which will document his trips to the USA, Canada and New Zealand in search of other Mullet linked locations.

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