A Dalry author has written the third book in her popular series about a Scottish gran with a magic handbag.

Elizabeth McKay’s latest book, Wee Granny’s Magic Bag and the Pirates, was published last week.

The children’s story is the third in Elizabeth’s Wee Granny series and sees the central character set-off with her two grandkids on an adventure to Arran.

The trio miss the ferry – but they need not worry as Wee Granny pulls out a rowing boat from her magic bag.

When asked what the inspiration for Wee Granny was, Elizabeth told the Herald: “It’s the idea that traditionally, Scottish grannies always had their bags and no matter what you needed – whether it be an Elastoplast or anything – they had it in their bag.

“I thought of all these things, then I made it get ridiculous. It’s the theme that whatever you need, granny will help you out.”

Elizabeth’s first Wee Granny book was published in 2011, but the 61-year-old has been writing fiction for over 20 years, mostly for women’s magazines.

Asked what tips she would give to aspiring authors, Elizabeth said: “I think you have to treat it like it’s a job.

“I tend to work better in the mornings than the afternoons, so I get stuck in then. I don’t like to sit and think what I’m doing so I try and have it in mind the night before.”

The author said that during school visits, she sometimes asks children what they would put in their own magic bag and that she is amazed at the scope of their imaginations.

She said: “They enter into that world. On one level, they know it’s nonsense but they’re also quite happy to imagine it’s real.

“Kids have that ability to come in and out of the fantasy world.”

So, are there any further adventures in store for Wee Granny?

“I’ve no idea, that’s up to the publishers,” said Elizabeth, “I’m hoping there will be. I’ve got another couple of ideas for stories.”

Wee Granny’s Magic Bag and the Pirates is published by Floris Books. For more information, visit https://www.florisbooks.co.uk/index.php.