The Drover's Dogs

A new book from the Carnegie winning author, Susan Price.

 

"I don’t think those dogs ever mistook me for their master. They were good herd-dogs and I think they knew exactly what I was -- a little calf, lost from the herd. A lost little pup wandering loose. They knew that what they had to do was take me in charge, and herd me along, and watch over me, until they had brought me somewhere safe."

 

It’s a long way home from East to West across Scotland’s mountains and lochs.

 

Sandy’s mother is desperate for money. So she ‘bonds’ ten-year-old Sandy to a wealthy farmer until he’s twenty-one.

 

Sandy is miserable -- bullied, ill-fed and beaten. He runs home, and is heart-broken when his mother makes him return, to another beating.

 

So Sandy runs away, though he fears he will be caught and hung for breaking his bond. Alone, on the road, he longs for a safe, loving home.

 

Then he falls in with friends: two drover dogs, making their way home, by themselves, to a distant croft.

Sandy decides to follow the dogs to wherever they belong. He dreams there will be a place by the fire for him too…

 

But when the dogs reach home, will Sandy be left outside, alone again?

 

A perfect read for lovers of Scotland and its history, as well as for all those who appreciate the intelligence and love of collie dogs.