Lavinia Derwent

Lavinia Derwent was the pen name of Scottish author and broadcaster Elizabeth Dodd MBE (1909 - 1989).

She was born in an isolated farmhouse in the Cheviot hills some seven miles from Jedburgh. She began making up stories about animals at an early age. Her most famous creation was "Tammy Troot" who entranced generations of children. She also wrote a best-selling book about an island called "Sula" which later featured in a film. The novels were: "Sula" (1969), "Return to Sula" (1971), "The Boy From Sula" (1973) and "Song of Sula" (1976). Her autobiographical books, particularly "A Breath of Border Air" recreate a world when it was the more fundamental things of life that mattered. Her "Border Bairn" series is set around Jedburgh, and "Lady of the Manse" has a Berwickshire setting.

In the 1970s she co-presented the television series "Teatime Tales" (alternating with Molly Weir and Cliff Hanley) on STV in which she recollected stories from her own childhood.