Ian and Sovra Kennedy are a brother and sister who live outside of the small town of Melvick on the west coast of Scotland during the 1950s. The time period is important to the story because the events of World War II and its aftermath influence some of the events in Ian and Sovra’s lives.

Ian and Sovra’s father is the local doctor, and the family lives in a house called Camas Ban, which means “White Bay” because of the white sand on the beach nearby. The children have outdoor adventures and solve mysteries around the seaside and mountains of the area where they live. Most of the emphasis of the stories is on the adventure over the mysteries, but there are some elements of mystery to the stories. As they say in the first and third books of the series, “Stay with us and you won’t be bored. You may be seasick or ship-wrecked or drowned or lost or burned or killed by falling over a cliff, but you won’t be bored.”

Ian likes to tell people unusual facts that he’s learned from reading, and he sometimes inserts them randomly into conversations. Both Ian and Sovra know some Gaelic, but Ian knows more than Sovra. Their main language is English. Sovra is an Anglicization of a Gaelic name that means “primrose.”

As the series continues, Ian and Sovra grow up, and the last two books in the series are about their children. It helps to read the books in order because they introduce new characters along the way who become important in the lives of the children. The third book in the series, Run Away Home, is frequently regarded as the best of the series by reviewers.

The books were written by Elinor Lyon. Elinor Lyon was born in England, but her family’s background was Scottish, which is why many of her books were set in Scotland. Her family used to vacation in Scotland, and she loved the Scottish countryside. During World War II, she was a radio operator. Her husband was also a soldier during WWII, although his main career was teaching. Her books have been praised for showing girls and boys as equals. The girls in her stories are clever, daring, and resourceful, and the boys demonstrate caring and sensitivity toward other people. Some of her books have been reprinted over the years, but others are out of print and are collector’s items now.

Books in the Series

The House in Hiding (1950)

Ian and Sovra find a shieling (a hut) hidden behind a waterfall, and their adventures camping out in it lead to the return of the chieftain of the Gunn clan.

We Daren’t Go A’Hunting (1951)

Ian and Sovra track down a gang of poachers with Alastair’s help.

Run Away Home (1953)

Orphan Cathie was found wandering alone in London after a bombing during WWII, unable to tell anyone where she had come from or what her full name was. The authorities were unable to locate her family and the only clue to her identity was a damaged label with part of her name. Ten years later, while Cathie is living in an orphanage, something sparks a memory of the past, leading her to run away to Scotland and find the place she remembers and the final clues to her real identity.

Daughters of Aradale (1957)

Cathie Runs Wild (1960)

Cathie wants to remain living with her cousins on the coast of Scotland instead of going to live with her wealthy aunt.

Carver’s Journey (1962)

Also known as The Secret of Hermit’s Bay.

The Dream-Hunters (1967)

The children find a message in a bottle that leads them on a wonderful adventure.

Strangers at the Door (1967)

A couple from Chile try to claim that they are the rightful owners of the Gunn house.

The King of Grey Corrie (1975)

Ian and Sovra’s children save a nest of eagles.

The Floodmakers (1976)