WATCH: Inverness publisher adds it own chapter to the city centre's story
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Inverness city centre has a long and fascinating history as well as boasting an eclectic range of shops and businesses!
Ablekids Press marries the two, publishing wonderful children’s books in various languages and promoting the city centre with its story trail which takes visitors and locals through centuries of history.
The business is this week’s Inverness BID city centre star.
Pauline Mackay of Ablekids Press is an author and has published a number of children’s bilingual books which she sells in her shop including the Wee MacNessie series, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
Pauline is also a great promoter of the city centre and has created the fantastic free city centre story trail for locals and visitors to enjoy. The trail takes participants on a journey through the city centre where they discover and learn about creatures which have come to adorn Inverness over the centuries.
WATCH
We caught up with Pauline to find out more...
Q. Tell us about you
A. Ablekids Press publishes children’s books in a variety of languages, our Wee MacNessie series, and also promotes our home city with our Wild About Inverness projects (the second one is out in spring 2023!). We supply our books to bookshops, gift shops, schools and distributors and welcome all enquiries.
We now stock Gaelic children’s books from other publishers in our shop on Market Brae Steps in Inverness and online (www.ablekidspress.com).
Q. What is Ablekids Press doing for Christmas?
A. We’ve just had two in-store Meet the Author events promoting local Gaelic children’s writers. Gwen Bowie’s new picture book, Donaidh Dathach, has a humorous Christmas scene in it and Ceitidh Hutton’s new Christmas story, Nollaig Ghrumpa is the fourth in the series.
Our own latest book, The Colourful Moo also has a fun festive scene as part of Marjory Tait’s fantastic illustrations. We highly recommend our Wild About Inverness trail with a wonderful sticker book for children and a free guide for adults. You can do the trail at any time as it’s all outdoors and a family-friendly activity.
Q. Why do you think books still make a great Christmas gift?
A. Over many years of children’s bookselling, some of the most memorable moments have been adults crying when they spot familiar stories from their childhood.
This is a powerful reminder that a book can become part of us, part of our life story.
Q. Why is Inverness city centre a great place to shop, visit and work?
A. Inverness city centre is steeped in history and working on our Wild About Inverness projects with local historian, Norman Newton, has created a new sense of excitement as we take familiar parts of our city and promote them in a unique way. Visitors to our premises on Market Brae Steps give a good indication of how they view the city centre and Inverness.
It’s heartening to hear how friendly, chatty and helpful locals are and quite a few tourists wish they could stay forever!
Q. Who are your city centre stars?
A. The other small businesses on Market Brae Steps – Salon on the Brae, Timeless Spa & Beauty, Kristine B. Hair & Make up, Union Vinyl, and Charlotte Smith Bridal Boutique. The sense of community and support for each other is amazing and everyone truly cares about the public’s experience on the Steps and in the city centre. We regularly have discussions about potential improvements to the Steps and communicate with BID who have listened carefully to our suggestions and recently actioned improvements to CCTV and lighting.
Q. Why is the Inverness city centre gift card a great present to give this Christmas?
A. Twice the love with an Inverness city centre gift card! A great present for someone you care about and a show of support for your local businesses.
