A writer, Tranter’s first book (in 1935) was The Fortalices and Early Mansions of Southern Scotland. He later decided that was “a highly pretentious title” and went on to become known as a top novelist and one of the most prolific modern Scottish writers.
He wrote more than 130 books in such diverse genres as romance, western, historical, and children’s. He died from the flu on January 9 in Gullane, East Lothian, at 90.