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Where do Katie Morag's Big Boy Cousins Live?

17 replies

Libra · 27/02/2007 11:08

I do realise that this is a completely pathetic question, but would really appreciate it if anyone knows the answer.

We recently got the Big Katie Morag Storybook out of the library. In the front there is a family tree (through which I found out that Grannie Island's real name was Gertrude, which is the name of my MIL, so that explains my natural antagonism). The family tree shows that the big boy cousins are children of Katie Morag's father's brother (stay with me) who is shown as a Minister.

There is also a map of the Isle of Struay. DS2 and I have looked all over the map but can find no church or manse although there is a burial ground.

So DS2 wants to know where Katie Morag's Big Boy cousins actually live. He asks it a lot. I am desperate. Please help!

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fennel · 27/02/2007 11:11

make it up!

how about Oban?

Libra · 27/02/2007 11:12

Yes but how would they get to the school every day with the ferry only coming three times a week? (Katie Morag experts here)

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bakedpotato · 27/02/2007 11:16

In 'KM and the Big Boy Cousins' they live on the mainland and come over in July to camp at Grannie Island's 'as they did each summer'
but in another story, they're at school with her

Libra · 27/02/2007 11:17

Exactly! See, there is a problem!
The one where they are at school with her is the one with the riddles isn't it? I remember wondering how old the oldest boy is because he looks a bit too old to be spending all day building an oil rig from loo roll.

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Libra · 27/02/2007 11:18

I do have a life, really.

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CristinaTheAstonishing · 27/02/2007 11:20

Katie's author lived on the island of Coll when she was writing some of the stories.

Just tell your DD it's confusing and you can't work it out - so you need more books out to do some detective work

bakedpotato · 27/02/2007 11:23

Yes, oldest BBC looks to be having a grand time with his oilrig...

I think Mairi Hedderwick took her eye off the plotting ball there. Good lesson in adult fallibility for DS

fennel · 27/02/2007 11:24

I thought they lived on the mainland not on the island. Haven't read the school story though. Perhaps they were on an extended visit while the minister father wrote up some theological treatise?

I think my dp could spend all day building an oil rig from a loo roll and he's 39.

Libra · 27/02/2007 11:24

I may need to write to Ms Hedderwick and demand an answer. It is beginning to annoy me now.
DS2 likes the books because Katie Morag seems to have the same weather as us and we live in a similar looking area.

But her house doesn't seem to leak as much (she says bitterly, collecting the bucket again as the gale continues).

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Libra · 27/02/2007 11:26

I may use this as an example of poor copy editing in my lectures. Hopefully some of the students will have read the books.

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fennel · 27/02/2007 11:27

I think actually there are a lot of unrealistic aspects of the books, if you want to pick holes in them.

Like, Katie Morag being sent off on a wet windy day to go to stay at her Grannie's on her own when her new baby sibling was born. She can only be about 6 or 7, who would send a child that age on a long winter walk on a Scottish Island?

also, her mother is very free with the public breastfeeding while carrying on her Postmistres job. I have spent a lot of time in the west of scotland (not all by choice, DP very keen) and they're a bit uptight about that sort of thing. all that Kirk influence.

Libra · 27/02/2007 11:29

I think the breastfeeding is great though! Although why she insists on wearing her postmistress hat throughout I do not know...

I loathe Grannie Island and much prefer Grannie Mainland. I think it must be very difficult bringing any children up so close to Grannie Island and her criticisms.

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bakedpotato · 27/02/2007 11:33

KM's parents are fairly offhand/negligent though, I think the long wet walk is very much in character.

Remember the time when Liam wanders off with his pushcart in the middle of the night and everyone thinks he's gone over the jetty?

You're so right about the b/feeding. Mrs McColl's norks are always out, I bet she is a MNer.

Libra · 27/02/2007 11:36

Yes, one never gets the impression that KM's mother really WANTED children, although we must remember that she learned her parenting skills from Grannie Island and the pilot who is never there. His name is Olsen by the way, which explains the Sven and Sean twins' names. Obviously some Scandinavian connection.

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tulpanflicka · 04/01/2013 19:09

What I would like to know is this: on the endpaper at the beginning of every book there's a map, in which the Struay-dwellers' houses are all identified. The second cottage from left in the terrace of cottages is always identified as being inhabited by 'Effie & Ronald the Road'. EXCEPT in the map in the middle of 'The Big Katie Morag Storybook', when it's identified as being inhabited by 'Ronald and Donald' - and they appear together with a plate of cakes in the story about the baking day. Did Ronald kick Effie out then take her back later? And why did the arrangement with Donald not last? Please tell me, someone!

marzipanpig · 04/01/2013 19:12

I think it is Coll.

tulpanflicka · 05/01/2013 20:36

It is indeed Coll, where Mairi Hedderwick still lives.

Do you have any ideas about Disappearing Donald?

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