Susanna here, with a post from the road—I’m currently in Scotland doing research for the new novel, The Vanished Days (a sort-of-prequel to The Winter Sea) and since my much-beloved Microsoft Surface laptop/tablet thingy, which fits so perfectly into my handbag for traveling, is old and cranky and had updated itself one too many times and no longer connects to the Internet, I’m forced to rely on my iPhone to compose this post, so apologies in advance for any irregularities.
I was going to try to give you a proper travelogue post with a look at a few of the places I’ve been visiting, but when I tried to do that a couple of days ago, my iPhone decided it was too long and promptly ate the post, so I’ll try something shorter this time, so as not to irritate it…
One of the most interesting and out of the ordinary places I’ve been to is Innerpeffray Library, in Perthshire. It’s the oldest public lending library in Scotland, founded in 1680 by David Drummond, 3rd Lord Madertie and brother-in-law to the Marquess of Montrose (who was a Graham—the kinsman and friend of the father of “my” Colonel Graeme, the real-life character who features in a couple of my novels and this new one).
David Drummond’s library was started in the church in the photo at the top of this post, in this small upper room, where the original library was kept and managed.
But in 1739, the library was inherited by Robert Hay Drummond, who decided that space was inadequate for the collection and set about having a proper library built, which was completed in 1762. It’s as close to library perfection as I’ve ever seen.
It still houses the Founder’s original collection of books from the 16th and 17th century, but has also been added to over the years to create an exceptionally fine and uniquely Scottish collection.
But my favorite item fits practically into the palm of my hand—the Bible that once belonged to the Marquess of Montrose, who carried it with him everywhere, even into battle. His personal handwritten mottos and notes are still there in the pages, and being allowed to hold it was like reaching back through time and touching him, if only for a moment.
That, to me, is truly immortality.
Do you have a favorite old book that connects you to someone?
I thought I recognised that graveyard! I loved Innerpeffray Library when I visited earlier this year. It’s such a treasure trove and the Montrose bible is literally awe-inspiring. It gave me the shivers to hold it, with all the weight of history attached to it.
I thought I recognised that graveyard! I loved Innerpeffray Library when I visited earlier this year. It’s such a treasure trove and the Montrose bible is literally awe-inspiring. It gave me the shivers to hold it, with all the weight of history attached to it.
I thought I recognised that graveyard! I loved Innerpeffray Library when I visited earlier this year. It’s such a treasure trove and the Montrose bible is literally awe-inspiring. It gave me the shivers to hold it, with all the weight of history attached to it.
I thought I recognised that graveyard! I loved Innerpeffray Library when I visited earlier this year. It’s such a treasure trove and the Montrose bible is literally awe-inspiring. It gave me the shivers to hold it, with all the weight of history attached to it.
I thought I recognised that graveyard! I loved Innerpeffray Library when I visited earlier this year. It’s such a treasure trove and the Montrose bible is literally awe-inspiring. It gave me the shivers to hold it, with all the weight of history attached to it.
Heavens, Susanna–to hold the actual Bible with his ownw notations! From Montrose’s hand to yours. That truly is amazing. Thank you for sharing your story.
Heavens, Susanna–to hold the actual Bible with his ownw notations! From Montrose’s hand to yours. That truly is amazing. Thank you for sharing your story.
Heavens, Susanna–to hold the actual Bible with his ownw notations! From Montrose’s hand to yours. That truly is amazing. Thank you for sharing your story.
Heavens, Susanna–to hold the actual Bible with his ownw notations! From Montrose’s hand to yours. That truly is amazing. Thank you for sharing your story.
Heavens, Susanna–to hold the actual Bible with his ownw notations! From Montrose’s hand to yours. That truly is amazing. Thank you for sharing your story.
I agree, holding that Bible is amazing!
I love libraries and I love books. So there are many, many connections. Each time I see one of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books (or see them mentioned) I think of the library where my sister and I first found them – and devoure them as they came out.
Many of the books I own were gifts to me. So each time I pick up one of those books, I am reminded of the giver. This is particularly poignant right now, as I the devotional books by Richard Foster and C. S. Lewis that my son had given me over the years.
I agree, holding that Bible is amazing!
I love libraries and I love books. So there are many, many connections. Each time I see one of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books (or see them mentioned) I think of the library where my sister and I first found them – and devoure them as they came out.
Many of the books I own were gifts to me. So each time I pick up one of those books, I am reminded of the giver. This is particularly poignant right now, as I the devotional books by Richard Foster and C. S. Lewis that my son had given me over the years.
I agree, holding that Bible is amazing!
I love libraries and I love books. So there are many, many connections. Each time I see one of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books (or see them mentioned) I think of the library where my sister and I first found them – and devoure them as they came out.
Many of the books I own were gifts to me. So each time I pick up one of those books, I am reminded of the giver. This is particularly poignant right now, as I the devotional books by Richard Foster and C. S. Lewis that my son had given me over the years.
I agree, holding that Bible is amazing!
I love libraries and I love books. So there are many, many connections. Each time I see one of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books (or see them mentioned) I think of the library where my sister and I first found them – and devoure them as they came out.
Many of the books I own were gifts to me. So each time I pick up one of those books, I am reminded of the giver. This is particularly poignant right now, as I the devotional books by Richard Foster and C. S. Lewis that my son had given me over the years.
I agree, holding that Bible is amazing!
I love libraries and I love books. So there are many, many connections. Each time I see one of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books (or see them mentioned) I think of the library where my sister and I first found them – and devoure them as they came out.
Many of the books I own were gifts to me. So each time I pick up one of those books, I am reminded of the giver. This is particularly poignant right now, as I the devotional books by Richard Foster and C. S. Lewis that my son had given me over the years.
What a truly lovely library, Susanna. Thanks for sharing its history and your pictures.
What a truly lovely library, Susanna. Thanks for sharing its history and your pictures.
What a truly lovely library, Susanna. Thanks for sharing its history and your pictures.
What a truly lovely library, Susanna. Thanks for sharing its history and your pictures.
What a truly lovely library, Susanna. Thanks for sharing its history and your pictures.
You lucky, lucky thing.
You lucky, lucky thing.
You lucky, lucky thing.
You lucky, lucky thing.
You lucky, lucky thing.
I have a very distant, tenuous connection to this library. There were Keirs in this area, working as factors and in other capacities for the Drummond family. I’m told that in the original book of borrowers are the names of George Keir and William Keir. Both are likely very distant relations to me. I’d love to visit this library the next time I get to Scotland.
I have a very distant, tenuous connection to this library. There were Keirs in this area, working as factors and in other capacities for the Drummond family. I’m told that in the original book of borrowers are the names of George Keir and William Keir. Both are likely very distant relations to me. I’d love to visit this library the next time I get to Scotland.
I have a very distant, tenuous connection to this library. There were Keirs in this area, working as factors and in other capacities for the Drummond family. I’m told that in the original book of borrowers are the names of George Keir and William Keir. Both are likely very distant relations to me. I’d love to visit this library the next time I get to Scotland.
I have a very distant, tenuous connection to this library. There were Keirs in this area, working as factors and in other capacities for the Drummond family. I’m told that in the original book of borrowers are the names of George Keir and William Keir. Both are likely very distant relations to me. I’d love to visit this library the next time I get to Scotland.
I have a very distant, tenuous connection to this library. There were Keirs in this area, working as factors and in other capacities for the Drummond family. I’m told that in the original book of borrowers are the names of George Keir and William Keir. Both are likely very distant relations to me. I’d love to visit this library the next time I get to Scotland.
What a wonderful ancestrial connection to history!
What a wonderful ancestrial connection to history!
What a wonderful ancestrial connection to history!
What a wonderful ancestrial connection to history!
What a wonderful ancestrial connection to history!
A book that I treasure is one my mother made. During WWII as a newly wed and a kindergarten teacher my parents moved to the tropics of Paraguay. They were part of a religious group escaping Hitler. One mother had a lovely children’s song book that a few other mothers then took time to copy. Each one hand wrote with pen and ink the entire book of almost 400 songs. My mother then drew sweet little pictures on every page and she sang to us almost every night using that book. She completed it after her second child was born and my father – a bookbinder – bound it with love and excellent workmanship For her first five children this was a treasure and still remains such. I had it for many years and now one of my brothers has it in hopes that he can make copies for all of us. My mother and father are both gone now so it is treasured even more and it has survived all these years being a well loved book. Thank you Papa and Mama.
A book that I treasure is one my mother made. During WWII as a newly wed and a kindergarten teacher my parents moved to the tropics of Paraguay. They were part of a religious group escaping Hitler. One mother had a lovely children’s song book that a few other mothers then took time to copy. Each one hand wrote with pen and ink the entire book of almost 400 songs. My mother then drew sweet little pictures on every page and she sang to us almost every night using that book. She completed it after her second child was born and my father – a bookbinder – bound it with love and excellent workmanship For her first five children this was a treasure and still remains such. I had it for many years and now one of my brothers has it in hopes that he can make copies for all of us. My mother and father are both gone now so it is treasured even more and it has survived all these years being a well loved book. Thank you Papa and Mama.
A book that I treasure is one my mother made. During WWII as a newly wed and a kindergarten teacher my parents moved to the tropics of Paraguay. They were part of a religious group escaping Hitler. One mother had a lovely children’s song book that a few other mothers then took time to copy. Each one hand wrote with pen and ink the entire book of almost 400 songs. My mother then drew sweet little pictures on every page and she sang to us almost every night using that book. She completed it after her second child was born and my father – a bookbinder – bound it with love and excellent workmanship For her first five children this was a treasure and still remains such. I had it for many years and now one of my brothers has it in hopes that he can make copies for all of us. My mother and father are both gone now so it is treasured even more and it has survived all these years being a well loved book. Thank you Papa and Mama.
A book that I treasure is one my mother made. During WWII as a newly wed and a kindergarten teacher my parents moved to the tropics of Paraguay. They were part of a religious group escaping Hitler. One mother had a lovely children’s song book that a few other mothers then took time to copy. Each one hand wrote with pen and ink the entire book of almost 400 songs. My mother then drew sweet little pictures on every page and she sang to us almost every night using that book. She completed it after her second child was born and my father – a bookbinder – bound it with love and excellent workmanship For her first five children this was a treasure and still remains such. I had it for many years and now one of my brothers has it in hopes that he can make copies for all of us. My mother and father are both gone now so it is treasured even more and it has survived all these years being a well loved book. Thank you Papa and Mama.
A book that I treasure is one my mother made. During WWII as a newly wed and a kindergarten teacher my parents moved to the tropics of Paraguay. They were part of a religious group escaping Hitler. One mother had a lovely children’s song book that a few other mothers then took time to copy. Each one hand wrote with pen and ink the entire book of almost 400 songs. My mother then drew sweet little pictures on every page and she sang to us almost every night using that book. She completed it after her second child was born and my father – a bookbinder – bound it with love and excellent workmanship For her first five children this was a treasure and still remains such. I had it for many years and now one of my brothers has it in hopes that he can make copies for all of us. My mother and father are both gone now so it is treasured even more and it has survived all these years being a well loved book. Thank you Papa and Mama.
What a lovely keepsake and memory of both your parents, Margot. Thank you for sharing your story.
What a lovely keepsake and memory of both your parents, Margot. Thank you for sharing your story.
What a lovely keepsake and memory of both your parents, Margot. Thank you for sharing your story.
What a lovely keepsake and memory of both your parents, Margot. Thank you for sharing your story.
What a lovely keepsake and memory of both your parents, Margot. Thank you for sharing your story.
Susanna – Fabulous post. As a former librarian, I’m glad you found such a wonderful library, and that you were able to hold that Bible in your hands. BTW – another wonderful library can be found in Baltimore, Maryland, where I love. It’s the Peabody Library, and the way the books are shelved around the building is splendid. Getting back to books…One of my most memorable books is a palm-sized Hebrew prayer book with an detailed metallic covers. One of the things in the book is the Hebrew prayer for travel, and I’ve never gotten on an airplane without saying the prayer before the cabin attendant does the instructions. And Margot – I loved your post about the book the lovely song book with pictures drawn by your mother. And your father bound the book. What wonderful parents you had.
Susanna – Fabulous post. As a former librarian, I’m glad you found such a wonderful library, and that you were able to hold that Bible in your hands. BTW – another wonderful library can be found in Baltimore, Maryland, where I love. It’s the Peabody Library, and the way the books are shelved around the building is splendid. Getting back to books…One of my most memorable books is a palm-sized Hebrew prayer book with an detailed metallic covers. One of the things in the book is the Hebrew prayer for travel, and I’ve never gotten on an airplane without saying the prayer before the cabin attendant does the instructions. And Margot – I loved your post about the book the lovely song book with pictures drawn by your mother. And your father bound the book. What wonderful parents you had.
Susanna – Fabulous post. As a former librarian, I’m glad you found such a wonderful library, and that you were able to hold that Bible in your hands. BTW – another wonderful library can be found in Baltimore, Maryland, where I love. It’s the Peabody Library, and the way the books are shelved around the building is splendid. Getting back to books…One of my most memorable books is a palm-sized Hebrew prayer book with an detailed metallic covers. One of the things in the book is the Hebrew prayer for travel, and I’ve never gotten on an airplane without saying the prayer before the cabin attendant does the instructions. And Margot – I loved your post about the book the lovely song book with pictures drawn by your mother. And your father bound the book. What wonderful parents you had.
Susanna – Fabulous post. As a former librarian, I’m glad you found such a wonderful library, and that you were able to hold that Bible in your hands. BTW – another wonderful library can be found in Baltimore, Maryland, where I love. It’s the Peabody Library, and the way the books are shelved around the building is splendid. Getting back to books…One of my most memorable books is a palm-sized Hebrew prayer book with an detailed metallic covers. One of the things in the book is the Hebrew prayer for travel, and I’ve never gotten on an airplane without saying the prayer before the cabin attendant does the instructions. And Margot – I loved your post about the book the lovely song book with pictures drawn by your mother. And your father bound the book. What wonderful parents you had.
Susanna – Fabulous post. As a former librarian, I’m glad you found such a wonderful library, and that you were able to hold that Bible in your hands. BTW – another wonderful library can be found in Baltimore, Maryland, where I love. It’s the Peabody Library, and the way the books are shelved around the building is splendid. Getting back to books…One of my most memorable books is a palm-sized Hebrew prayer book with an detailed metallic covers. One of the things in the book is the Hebrew prayer for travel, and I’ve never gotten on an airplane without saying the prayer before the cabin attendant does the instructions. And Margot – I loved your post about the book the lovely song book with pictures drawn by your mother. And your father bound the book. What wonderful parents you had.
Fabulous post, Susanna! What an amazing experience. I got goosebumps just reading it. I’ve held some wonderful book in various rare book libraries. A special memory was holding a copy of Hypnerotomachia Poliphili printed in venice by the famed early printer Aldus Manutius. I love books printed by hand, and this particular one is considered the most beautiful of all incunabula—this is, books printed before 1550. It makes me feel connected to Manutius and his wonderful artistry.
Fabulous post, Susanna! What an amazing experience. I got goosebumps just reading it. I’ve held some wonderful book in various rare book libraries. A special memory was holding a copy of Hypnerotomachia Poliphili printed in venice by the famed early printer Aldus Manutius. I love books printed by hand, and this particular one is considered the most beautiful of all incunabula—this is, books printed before 1550. It makes me feel connected to Manutius and his wonderful artistry.
Fabulous post, Susanna! What an amazing experience. I got goosebumps just reading it. I’ve held some wonderful book in various rare book libraries. A special memory was holding a copy of Hypnerotomachia Poliphili printed in venice by the famed early printer Aldus Manutius. I love books printed by hand, and this particular one is considered the most beautiful of all incunabula—this is, books printed before 1550. It makes me feel connected to Manutius and his wonderful artistry.
Fabulous post, Susanna! What an amazing experience. I got goosebumps just reading it. I’ve held some wonderful book in various rare book libraries. A special memory was holding a copy of Hypnerotomachia Poliphili printed in venice by the famed early printer Aldus Manutius. I love books printed by hand, and this particular one is considered the most beautiful of all incunabula—this is, books printed before 1550. It makes me feel connected to Manutius and his wonderful artistry.
Fabulous post, Susanna! What an amazing experience. I got goosebumps just reading it. I’ve held some wonderful book in various rare book libraries. A special memory was holding a copy of Hypnerotomachia Poliphili printed in venice by the famed early printer Aldus Manutius. I love books printed by hand, and this particular one is considered the most beautiful of all incunabula—this is, books printed before 1550. It makes me feel connected to Manutius and his wonderful artistry.
What a beautiful true story. How lucky you are!
What a beautiful true story. How lucky you are!
What a beautiful true story. How lucky you are!
What a beautiful true story. How lucky you are!
What a beautiful true story. How lucky you are!
I do have a Bible that fits in my hand. It is falling apart since family members didn’t preserve it. It belonged to the sister of my paternal great-grandmother and is dated 1880. They were southerners and Methodists.
I also have a Journee du Chretien dated 1847 with a forward with a barely readable inscription: “I am not rich.” The printed foreward is by a Catholic priest dated: Quebec, 4 Septembre, 1847. No clue. No knowledge who in my family was Catholic, French, or Quebecois.
Both are prime for fictional stories, are they it not?
Thanks for sharing Susanna. Always enjoy your books.
I do have a Bible that fits in my hand. It is falling apart since family members didn’t preserve it. It belonged to the sister of my paternal great-grandmother and is dated 1880. They were southerners and Methodists.
I also have a Journee du Chretien dated 1847 with a forward with a barely readable inscription: “I am not rich.” The printed foreward is by a Catholic priest dated: Quebec, 4 Septembre, 1847. No clue. No knowledge who in my family was Catholic, French, or Quebecois.
Both are prime for fictional stories, are they it not?
Thanks for sharing Susanna. Always enjoy your books.
I do have a Bible that fits in my hand. It is falling apart since family members didn’t preserve it. It belonged to the sister of my paternal great-grandmother and is dated 1880. They were southerners and Methodists.
I also have a Journee du Chretien dated 1847 with a forward with a barely readable inscription: “I am not rich.” The printed foreward is by a Catholic priest dated: Quebec, 4 Septembre, 1847. No clue. No knowledge who in my family was Catholic, French, or Quebecois.
Both are prime for fictional stories, are they it not?
Thanks for sharing Susanna. Always enjoy your books.
I do have a Bible that fits in my hand. It is falling apart since family members didn’t preserve it. It belonged to the sister of my paternal great-grandmother and is dated 1880. They were southerners and Methodists.
I also have a Journee du Chretien dated 1847 with a forward with a barely readable inscription: “I am not rich.” The printed foreward is by a Catholic priest dated: Quebec, 4 Septembre, 1847. No clue. No knowledge who in my family was Catholic, French, or Quebecois.
Both are prime for fictional stories, are they it not?
Thanks for sharing Susanna. Always enjoy your books.
I do have a Bible that fits in my hand. It is falling apart since family members didn’t preserve it. It belonged to the sister of my paternal great-grandmother and is dated 1880. They were southerners and Methodists.
I also have a Journee du Chretien dated 1847 with a forward with a barely readable inscription: “I am not rich.” The printed foreward is by a Catholic priest dated: Quebec, 4 Septembre, 1847. No clue. No knowledge who in my family was Catholic, French, or Quebecois.
Both are prime for fictional stories, are they it not?
Thanks for sharing Susanna. Always enjoy your books.