GETTY/TWITTER Scots actress who wrote a memoir about a “nightmare” trip to Zambia has been accused of making it up

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Louise Linton published a book earlier this year detailing her time in the African nation in 1999 as an 18-year-old volunteer. The actress, who attended Fettes College in Edinburgh, described how her “dream gap year” turned into a “nightmare” when she had to flee armed rebels from the nearby Democratic Republic of the Congo. But since an extract of the book was published online, angry Zambians have taken to social media to claim that her story is untrue.

Life was idyllic at first, a gap year student’s dream

In the book she writes: “I had come to Africa with hopes of helping some of the world’s poorest people. But my gap year had become a living nightmare when I inadvertently found myself caught up in the fringes of the Congolese War. “Life was idyllic at first, a gap year student’s dream. My new home was beautiful and I made close friendships with the local Bemba people. But I soon learned that Africa is rife with hidden danger. “I witnessed random acts of violence, contracted malaria and had close encounters with lions, elephants, crocodiles and snakes.” However, Zambians have questioned her account, saying her descriptions are incorrect and that the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo did not adversely affect life in their country.

TWITTER Angry Zambians have taken to social media to claim that her story is untrue

One, Bornface, wrote on Twitter: “Zambia in 1999 according to #LintonLies; Monsoons, Civil War, Rebels, Jungles. I’ve been in the wrong Zambia all my life.” Another, Tchiyiwe T Chihana, posted: “Own up & admit you are peddling untruths in order to sell your book about Zambia.” The book, which is sold on Amazon, has also seen its star rating drop dramatically.