A TRAVEL book featuring details about the Ochil Hills and other Scottish gems has been released by a former Forth Valley policeman.

Alloa resident Malky McEwan spent three decades working in Clacks and elsewhere, before retiring and deciding to try his hand at writing.

Using his former job as his inspiration, Malky has published three books since 2017 about his life in the force.

But, more recently, he decided to try writing about his experiences travelling around Scotland.

The result is a fourth book called If it Wasn't for the Midges, which was published late last year.

He said: "It was time for me to get rid of the uniform, find out what Scotland had to offer and get the chance to really speak to people – without a uniform being a barrier.

"It really is the most beautiful country in the world and I visited places which were breathtaking.

"Our history is fascinating and the stories people tell are entertaining.

"During my travels, I found thirst-quenching beer and whisky as good as a 15-year-old malt and at half the price, cosy accommodation, interesting walks and fascinating people."

The book covers locations throughout Scotland, their history and includes some of Malky's own anecdotes about his experiences.

He said: "I wanted to tell people about everything Scotland has to offer – it's even worth coming here just to taste the tap water.

"But I didn't want this to be on ordinary travelogue; I wanted it to entertain.

"So I've filled it with interesting snippets of history, hilarious tales and observations that I learned from a life in the police."

Also included among the 265 pages is a section detailing how to spot Elvis in the Ochil Hills.

Any Wee County residents interested in getting their hands on If it Wasn't for the Midges can find it on Amazon in paperback and Kindle format.