A FORMER Peebles High teacher has swapped the classroom for the great outdoors with the launch of a new book.

Anne Derrick, who was born and brought up in Peebles, has penned her second publication since retiring from teaching a decade ago.

Following on from the success of her first book in 2011 What were we like?, which reminisced on growing up in Peebles in the 1950s and 60s, Anne has turned her hand to sharing her experiences of dog walking with her five-year-old black Labrador Molly.

Her latest book Walking the dog focuses on eight dog-friendly walks in and around Peebles.

Packed with descriptions of the walk, the book also uncovers some of the stories behind many of the features to be seen while out and about, from the gruesome tale of Burke and Hare to the story of the Black Dwarf.

The book also features plenty of ‘doggy snippets’ and top dog tips, including details on disposal points for waste on her routes, and where is best to let your pet off the lead.

Anne said: “I was inspired to write the present book by seeing a leaflet on dog friendly walks when we were on holiday and I thought that something similar would go down well in Peebles, especially with visitors and newcomers.

“I regularly contribute to our church magazine and had submitted a number of articles featuring local dog walks so I used these as a basis for the book, assisted most ably by a critical friend, Marjory McFarlane.

“The walks include Jenny’s Brae, Hay Lodge Park, Round the Viaduct, The Deid Wife’s Grave, Soonhope, Tyninghame Sands, Cademuir Forest and The Cheese Well.”

The 67-year-old retired from the maths department at Peebles High School after 35 years of teaching in 2007.

The profits from the book, which costs £5, will go towards Peebles Old Parish Church Year of Renewal.

Copies can be bought from Whitie’s Bookshop, Pennel’s Close, on Peebles High Street.