Scotland! I’ve been so fortunate to be able to visit there several times over several years … really, who would turn down a tax-deductible reason to go to Scotland?!
The place is wildly inspiring as well as tax deductible for a researching writer. I’ve been able to wander castles and ruins, sleep in ghost-inhabited manor houses, visit ancient cairns, medieval churches and old city quarters, all of which have appeared in one book or another; I’ve walked for hours in Edinburgh in rain, sun and fog; I’ve been through the Highlands in all sorts of weather, and some of the Hebridean islands too. I’ve stood on the shores of remote Highland lochs, jumped across fast burns and sunk to my ankles (and wheel covers) in muddy bogs; I’ve walked over narrow inlets and stood on windy cliffsides and sailed on boats through thick dawn mist. Yup, there are places in Scotland that really are as romantic, majestic, and/or atmospheric as reputation claims.
These are officially research trips, so I try to glean info for whatever I’m working on. Sometimes I’ve hit research gold, discovering information that doesn’t exist in books or online searches. A rusty old sign beside Loch Katrine telling about local whiskey smugglers gave me an idea for a novella (“White Fire” in APRIL MOON), and then my next Sarah Gabriel release, THE HIGHLAND GROOM.
And one day, standing in a quiet sunlit spot in a castle ruin, I suddenly imagined the strong-willed stonecarver heroine who became Alainna in THE STONE MAIDEN.
On a rainy afternoon in Dunfermline, I met an elderly historian who told me local historical anecdotes that have never been published (except by me!). Those nuggets added a deeper layer to the story I was writing at the time – LAIRD OF THE WIND. The hero, a close follower of William Wallace, feared that he had led betrayers to the patriot. The local traditions helped resolve the plot with a twist (and of course the hero found the love of his life!). Without that rainy afternoon, I might have written the story differently …
Now my visits to Dunfermline—one of my favorite peaceful places in Scotland—will come in handy again. My current novel-in-progress about Queen Margaret of Scotland is set partly in Dunfermline, where Margaret and Malcolm Canmore spent much of their time. Until I can get back to Scotland, memories and digital picture files will do the trick.
And I’ve met people in Scotland who have become lifelong friends, who now visit me when they’re over here. Just last year I explained to a friend, Scottish musician Dougie MacLean (if you don’t know his music, you’re in for a treat!) about a plot problem in LADY MACBETH … how could Macbeth, fatally wounded in battle against Malcolm Canmore, travel the fifty rugged miles from the Highlands to Scone, as recent historical evidence indicates? 
Macbeth was severely wounded, and it seemed impossible. My friend pointed out that Macbeth would "just take a boat" -– heading for the coast instead of inland as historians assumed, he could have sailed down the firth to the River Tay. That made all the difference to the scene. I put my characters on a longship one more time….
Writing Scotland is a fantastic excuse to go to there, and I’ve often used what I’ve learned there … but more often I research my books at home. Traveling for research is huge fun, but it’s not essential to the writing process, especially for fiction. Many, many authors brilliantly evoke places they’ve never seen.
No matter how much in-depth, in situ research and trekking about we do, ultimately writing good fiction comes down to planting the self in the chair and getting the work done. Good writing relies on quality of imagination and the ability to weave what we’ve learned and imagined into a complete and convincing story fabric. Whether or not we’ve been to the places we write about isn’t the important thing … it’s writing about what we love and what fascinates us, and conveying that in the book. That’s what really counts.
Have you all been to Scotland, and if not, what’s your favorite place to travel (in reality or in daydreams)? Do you notice in a novel when an author seems know the place well, either through traveling or through detail work done from home?
I’m offering a special prize this week, since I mentioned Dougie MacLean, who’s currently on an east coast tour (check his concert schedule for tickets) … a winner chosen at random from comments to this blog will win an autographed Dougie MacLean CD!
Slainte!
Susan Sarah
I like a novel with a sense of place. I like descriptions of the location–the scenery, the people, different times of day. I especially like descriptions that paint pictures with words. You do this, Sarah, but it’s becoming harder and harder to find.
As for traveling, I hate it, and only go as far as I have to. I’ll do mine in books. I just hope there are enough books left in these times of rush-rush-rush that give me the descriptions I want.
I like a novel with a sense of place. I like descriptions of the location–the scenery, the people, different times of day. I especially like descriptions that paint pictures with words. You do this, Sarah, but it’s becoming harder and harder to find.
As for traveling, I hate it, and only go as far as I have to. I’ll do mine in books. I just hope there are enough books left in these times of rush-rush-rush that give me the descriptions I want.
I like a novel with a sense of place. I like descriptions of the location–the scenery, the people, different times of day. I especially like descriptions that paint pictures with words. You do this, Sarah, but it’s becoming harder and harder to find.
As for traveling, I hate it, and only go as far as I have to. I’ll do mine in books. I just hope there are enough books left in these times of rush-rush-rush that give me the descriptions I want.
I like a novel with a sense of place. I like descriptions of the location–the scenery, the people, different times of day. I especially like descriptions that paint pictures with words. You do this, Sarah, but it’s becoming harder and harder to find.
As for traveling, I hate it, and only go as far as I have to. I’ll do mine in books. I just hope there are enough books left in these times of rush-rush-rush that give me the descriptions I want.
I like a novel with a sense of place. I like descriptions of the location–the scenery, the people, different times of day. I especially like descriptions that paint pictures with words. You do this, Sarah, but it’s becoming harder and harder to find.
As for traveling, I hate it, and only go as far as I have to. I’ll do mine in books. I just hope there are enough books left in these times of rush-rush-rush that give me the descriptions I want.
My mother’s family came from Scotland, Forfar, a beautiful place. I grew up on stories of the country and the people, but have never been.
I’m an only and my family (of course, not my husband, girls or his family, but my childhood family) is all gone now except for an aunt who still lives in Dundee. I call her several times a year but haven’t seen her since I was very young. I’d like to, once more. And I want to walk the ground my grandparents walked, visit the local cemetery and see my heritage and how far back my family goes.
Funny, I’ve never been, but it became so alive for me through the stories and very old sepia toned pictures, the songs my grandmother sang to me, the music…Scotland calls to me, like a second home country.
And some day, I’ll get there.
Someday.
So I love to read novels set in Scotland. The descriptions often remind me of those stories I heard as a child. Though of course, the novel must be well written and the area descriptions true.
As a side note, my father’s parents were from Cornwall. Family dinners (few and very far between) with both sets of grandparents, were extremely interesting, to say the least.
My mother’s family came from Scotland, Forfar, a beautiful place. I grew up on stories of the country and the people, but have never been.
I’m an only and my family (of course, not my husband, girls or his family, but my childhood family) is all gone now except for an aunt who still lives in Dundee. I call her several times a year but haven’t seen her since I was very young. I’d like to, once more. And I want to walk the ground my grandparents walked, visit the local cemetery and see my heritage and how far back my family goes.
Funny, I’ve never been, but it became so alive for me through the stories and very old sepia toned pictures, the songs my grandmother sang to me, the music…Scotland calls to me, like a second home country.
And some day, I’ll get there.
Someday.
So I love to read novels set in Scotland. The descriptions often remind me of those stories I heard as a child. Though of course, the novel must be well written and the area descriptions true.
As a side note, my father’s parents were from Cornwall. Family dinners (few and very far between) with both sets of grandparents, were extremely interesting, to say the least.
My mother’s family came from Scotland, Forfar, a beautiful place. I grew up on stories of the country and the people, but have never been.
I’m an only and my family (of course, not my husband, girls or his family, but my childhood family) is all gone now except for an aunt who still lives in Dundee. I call her several times a year but haven’t seen her since I was very young. I’d like to, once more. And I want to walk the ground my grandparents walked, visit the local cemetery and see my heritage and how far back my family goes.
Funny, I’ve never been, but it became so alive for me through the stories and very old sepia toned pictures, the songs my grandmother sang to me, the music…Scotland calls to me, like a second home country.
And some day, I’ll get there.
Someday.
So I love to read novels set in Scotland. The descriptions often remind me of those stories I heard as a child. Though of course, the novel must be well written and the area descriptions true.
As a side note, my father’s parents were from Cornwall. Family dinners (few and very far between) with both sets of grandparents, were extremely interesting, to say the least.
My mother’s family came from Scotland, Forfar, a beautiful place. I grew up on stories of the country and the people, but have never been.
I’m an only and my family (of course, not my husband, girls or his family, but my childhood family) is all gone now except for an aunt who still lives in Dundee. I call her several times a year but haven’t seen her since I was very young. I’d like to, once more. And I want to walk the ground my grandparents walked, visit the local cemetery and see my heritage and how far back my family goes.
Funny, I’ve never been, but it became so alive for me through the stories and very old sepia toned pictures, the songs my grandmother sang to me, the music…Scotland calls to me, like a second home country.
And some day, I’ll get there.
Someday.
So I love to read novels set in Scotland. The descriptions often remind me of those stories I heard as a child. Though of course, the novel must be well written and the area descriptions true.
As a side note, my father’s parents were from Cornwall. Family dinners (few and very far between) with both sets of grandparents, were extremely interesting, to say the least.
My mother’s family came from Scotland, Forfar, a beautiful place. I grew up on stories of the country and the people, but have never been.
I’m an only and my family (of course, not my husband, girls or his family, but my childhood family) is all gone now except for an aunt who still lives in Dundee. I call her several times a year but haven’t seen her since I was very young. I’d like to, once more. And I want to walk the ground my grandparents walked, visit the local cemetery and see my heritage and how far back my family goes.
Funny, I’ve never been, but it became so alive for me through the stories and very old sepia toned pictures, the songs my grandmother sang to me, the music…Scotland calls to me, like a second home country.
And some day, I’ll get there.
Someday.
So I love to read novels set in Scotland. The descriptions often remind me of those stories I heard as a child. Though of course, the novel must be well written and the area descriptions true.
As a side note, my father’s parents were from Cornwall. Family dinners (few and very far between) with both sets of grandparents, were extremely interesting, to say the least.
My ancestors on the maternal side were Scottish but it’s far enough back that I don’t know where they lived in the country. My Dad’s people were Irish. The family story is that some of them came over with Oglethorpe in the early 1700s. Since they were illiterate it’s very hard to document.
I love stories set in Scotland and Ireland. Not just because of the genetic connection but because the stories of the people are so inspiring. Both groups have been ill treated and survived, even flourished. When I deal with hardheaded, stubborn relatives I am reminded that only the hardheaded, stubborn ones were able to survive or had the gumption to seek freedom in a new place. The pictures I’ve seen call to me and feel familiar, though I’ve never set foot on the soil.
Many of you on this site are also Elizabeth Lowell fans and know this story. But for those who don’t, I’ll summarize. While EL was researching for her medieval series she was traveling in Scotland with her husband. They were wandering along a side road and ended up at an old parish church. The 2 of them were able to look at some of the records which dated back several hundred years. They found that their anscestors had lived near that spot and attended that very church. Further there were many instances of intermarriage between their 2 clans. EL said that she had previously wondered why he was “the one and only” and supposed that it was the genetic pattern of their distant past calling to them. She, of course, tells it much more eloquently.
My ancestors on the maternal side were Scottish but it’s far enough back that I don’t know where they lived in the country. My Dad’s people were Irish. The family story is that some of them came over with Oglethorpe in the early 1700s. Since they were illiterate it’s very hard to document.
I love stories set in Scotland and Ireland. Not just because of the genetic connection but because the stories of the people are so inspiring. Both groups have been ill treated and survived, even flourished. When I deal with hardheaded, stubborn relatives I am reminded that only the hardheaded, stubborn ones were able to survive or had the gumption to seek freedom in a new place. The pictures I’ve seen call to me and feel familiar, though I’ve never set foot on the soil.
Many of you on this site are also Elizabeth Lowell fans and know this story. But for those who don’t, I’ll summarize. While EL was researching for her medieval series she was traveling in Scotland with her husband. They were wandering along a side road and ended up at an old parish church. The 2 of them were able to look at some of the records which dated back several hundred years. They found that their anscestors had lived near that spot and attended that very church. Further there were many instances of intermarriage between their 2 clans. EL said that she had previously wondered why he was “the one and only” and supposed that it was the genetic pattern of their distant past calling to them. She, of course, tells it much more eloquently.
My ancestors on the maternal side were Scottish but it’s far enough back that I don’t know where they lived in the country. My Dad’s people were Irish. The family story is that some of them came over with Oglethorpe in the early 1700s. Since they were illiterate it’s very hard to document.
I love stories set in Scotland and Ireland. Not just because of the genetic connection but because the stories of the people are so inspiring. Both groups have been ill treated and survived, even flourished. When I deal with hardheaded, stubborn relatives I am reminded that only the hardheaded, stubborn ones were able to survive or had the gumption to seek freedom in a new place. The pictures I’ve seen call to me and feel familiar, though I’ve never set foot on the soil.
Many of you on this site are also Elizabeth Lowell fans and know this story. But for those who don’t, I’ll summarize. While EL was researching for her medieval series she was traveling in Scotland with her husband. They were wandering along a side road and ended up at an old parish church. The 2 of them were able to look at some of the records which dated back several hundred years. They found that their anscestors had lived near that spot and attended that very church. Further there were many instances of intermarriage between their 2 clans. EL said that she had previously wondered why he was “the one and only” and supposed that it was the genetic pattern of their distant past calling to them. She, of course, tells it much more eloquently.
My ancestors on the maternal side were Scottish but it’s far enough back that I don’t know where they lived in the country. My Dad’s people were Irish. The family story is that some of them came over with Oglethorpe in the early 1700s. Since they were illiterate it’s very hard to document.
I love stories set in Scotland and Ireland. Not just because of the genetic connection but because the stories of the people are so inspiring. Both groups have been ill treated and survived, even flourished. When I deal with hardheaded, stubborn relatives I am reminded that only the hardheaded, stubborn ones were able to survive or had the gumption to seek freedom in a new place. The pictures I’ve seen call to me and feel familiar, though I’ve never set foot on the soil.
Many of you on this site are also Elizabeth Lowell fans and know this story. But for those who don’t, I’ll summarize. While EL was researching for her medieval series she was traveling in Scotland with her husband. They were wandering along a side road and ended up at an old parish church. The 2 of them were able to look at some of the records which dated back several hundred years. They found that their anscestors had lived near that spot and attended that very church. Further there were many instances of intermarriage between their 2 clans. EL said that she had previously wondered why he was “the one and only” and supposed that it was the genetic pattern of their distant past calling to them. She, of course, tells it much more eloquently.
My ancestors on the maternal side were Scottish but it’s far enough back that I don’t know where they lived in the country. My Dad’s people were Irish. The family story is that some of them came over with Oglethorpe in the early 1700s. Since they were illiterate it’s very hard to document.
I love stories set in Scotland and Ireland. Not just because of the genetic connection but because the stories of the people are so inspiring. Both groups have been ill treated and survived, even flourished. When I deal with hardheaded, stubborn relatives I am reminded that only the hardheaded, stubborn ones were able to survive or had the gumption to seek freedom in a new place. The pictures I’ve seen call to me and feel familiar, though I’ve never set foot on the soil.
Many of you on this site are also Elizabeth Lowell fans and know this story. But for those who don’t, I’ll summarize. While EL was researching for her medieval series she was traveling in Scotland with her husband. They were wandering along a side road and ended up at an old parish church. The 2 of them were able to look at some of the records which dated back several hundred years. They found that their anscestors had lived near that spot and attended that very church. Further there were many instances of intermarriage between their 2 clans. EL said that she had previously wondered why he was “the one and only” and supposed that it was the genetic pattern of their distant past calling to them. She, of course, tells it much more eloquently.
I studied at Edinburgh Univ. and have returned to that city several times since then, but my heart–and my relatives–are in the Western Highlands. Through my mother I’ve got relatives in Kintyre still, whom my parents visit annually.
The last time my husband and I were there, it was ceilidh night. We had a blast! We also stopped in at the clan chieftan’s castle.
Long ago I chose not to write any books set in Scotland–though I love reading them, and of course I know how popular they are.
I wanted to save one place in this world to which I could escape and shut off my writer’s brain. For me, it’s a place for just “being” and not thinking or researching–unless I’m chasing an elusive ancestral line, and mostly I leave that to my mother.
I don’t know if that makes any sense, but it’s an important distinction.
I studied at Edinburgh Univ. and have returned to that city several times since then, but my heart–and my relatives–are in the Western Highlands. Through my mother I’ve got relatives in Kintyre still, whom my parents visit annually.
The last time my husband and I were there, it was ceilidh night. We had a blast! We also stopped in at the clan chieftan’s castle.
Long ago I chose not to write any books set in Scotland–though I love reading them, and of course I know how popular they are.
I wanted to save one place in this world to which I could escape and shut off my writer’s brain. For me, it’s a place for just “being” and not thinking or researching–unless I’m chasing an elusive ancestral line, and mostly I leave that to my mother.
I don’t know if that makes any sense, but it’s an important distinction.
I studied at Edinburgh Univ. and have returned to that city several times since then, but my heart–and my relatives–are in the Western Highlands. Through my mother I’ve got relatives in Kintyre still, whom my parents visit annually.
The last time my husband and I were there, it was ceilidh night. We had a blast! We also stopped in at the clan chieftan’s castle.
Long ago I chose not to write any books set in Scotland–though I love reading them, and of course I know how popular they are.
I wanted to save one place in this world to which I could escape and shut off my writer’s brain. For me, it’s a place for just “being” and not thinking or researching–unless I’m chasing an elusive ancestral line, and mostly I leave that to my mother.
I don’t know if that makes any sense, but it’s an important distinction.
I studied at Edinburgh Univ. and have returned to that city several times since then, but my heart–and my relatives–are in the Western Highlands. Through my mother I’ve got relatives in Kintyre still, whom my parents visit annually.
The last time my husband and I were there, it was ceilidh night. We had a blast! We also stopped in at the clan chieftan’s castle.
Long ago I chose not to write any books set in Scotland–though I love reading them, and of course I know how popular they are.
I wanted to save one place in this world to which I could escape and shut off my writer’s brain. For me, it’s a place for just “being” and not thinking or researching–unless I’m chasing an elusive ancestral line, and mostly I leave that to my mother.
I don’t know if that makes any sense, but it’s an important distinction.
I studied at Edinburgh Univ. and have returned to that city several times since then, but my heart–and my relatives–are in the Western Highlands. Through my mother I’ve got relatives in Kintyre still, whom my parents visit annually.
The last time my husband and I were there, it was ceilidh night. We had a blast! We also stopped in at the clan chieftan’s castle.
Long ago I chose not to write any books set in Scotland–though I love reading them, and of course I know how popular they are.
I wanted to save one place in this world to which I could escape and shut off my writer’s brain. For me, it’s a place for just “being” and not thinking or researching–unless I’m chasing an elusive ancestral line, and mostly I leave that to my mother.
I don’t know if that makes any sense, but it’s an important distinction.
That is one of the reasons I enjoy reading so much, traveling to another place and time while sitting on the couch. I don’t think I have ever felt that an author didn’t know the setting he/she was describing so I don’t think it makes any differece if you research it or travel there personally. The important thing is that he/she helps me see it. Some authors seem to concentrate on the setting, making it a big part of the story while others don’t get as in-depth. I don’t know if that’s dictated by the author’s preference or by the story.
That is one of the reasons I enjoy reading so much, traveling to another place and time while sitting on the couch. I don’t think I have ever felt that an author didn’t know the setting he/she was describing so I don’t think it makes any differece if you research it or travel there personally. The important thing is that he/she helps me see it. Some authors seem to concentrate on the setting, making it a big part of the story while others don’t get as in-depth. I don’t know if that’s dictated by the author’s preference or by the story.
That is one of the reasons I enjoy reading so much, traveling to another place and time while sitting on the couch. I don’t think I have ever felt that an author didn’t know the setting he/she was describing so I don’t think it makes any differece if you research it or travel there personally. The important thing is that he/she helps me see it. Some authors seem to concentrate on the setting, making it a big part of the story while others don’t get as in-depth. I don’t know if that’s dictated by the author’s preference or by the story.
That is one of the reasons I enjoy reading so much, traveling to another place and time while sitting on the couch. I don’t think I have ever felt that an author didn’t know the setting he/she was describing so I don’t think it makes any differece if you research it or travel there personally. The important thing is that he/she helps me see it. Some authors seem to concentrate on the setting, making it a big part of the story while others don’t get as in-depth. I don’t know if that’s dictated by the author’s preference or by the story.
That is one of the reasons I enjoy reading so much, traveling to another place and time while sitting on the couch. I don’t think I have ever felt that an author didn’t know the setting he/she was describing so I don’t think it makes any differece if you research it or travel there personally. The important thing is that he/she helps me see it. Some authors seem to concentrate on the setting, making it a big part of the story while others don’t get as in-depth. I don’t know if that’s dictated by the author’s preference or by the story.
I have never been to Scotland, but I desperately want to go. There’s Scots blood on both sides of the family. Besides, the colorful history and beauty of the land, I really want to know if there are THAT many redheads to warrant the one question I get asked when I first meet someone – Are you Irish or Scottish? just because I have red hair. The answer is, of course, yes, but I’m more Scottish than I’m Irish.
I have never been to Scotland, but I desperately want to go. There’s Scots blood on both sides of the family. Besides, the colorful history and beauty of the land, I really want to know if there are THAT many redheads to warrant the one question I get asked when I first meet someone – Are you Irish or Scottish? just because I have red hair. The answer is, of course, yes, but I’m more Scottish than I’m Irish.
I have never been to Scotland, but I desperately want to go. There’s Scots blood on both sides of the family. Besides, the colorful history and beauty of the land, I really want to know if there are THAT many redheads to warrant the one question I get asked when I first meet someone – Are you Irish or Scottish? just because I have red hair. The answer is, of course, yes, but I’m more Scottish than I’m Irish.
I have never been to Scotland, but I desperately want to go. There’s Scots blood on both sides of the family. Besides, the colorful history and beauty of the land, I really want to know if there are THAT many redheads to warrant the one question I get asked when I first meet someone – Are you Irish or Scottish? just because I have red hair. The answer is, of course, yes, but I’m more Scottish than I’m Irish.
I have never been to Scotland, but I desperately want to go. There’s Scots blood on both sides of the family. Besides, the colorful history and beauty of the land, I really want to know if there are THAT many redheads to warrant the one question I get asked when I first meet someone – Are you Irish or Scottish? just because I have red hair. The answer is, of course, yes, but I’m more Scottish than I’m Irish.
Yes I ‘ve been to Scotland. Loved the place. Remember the “Tattoo” show at Edinburgh Castle. The lone piper atop the castle at the end is very stirring.
Remember reading the EL storey…gave me “goosebumps”
Yes I ‘ve been to Scotland. Loved the place. Remember the “Tattoo” show at Edinburgh Castle. The lone piper atop the castle at the end is very stirring.
Remember reading the EL storey…gave me “goosebumps”
Yes I ‘ve been to Scotland. Loved the place. Remember the “Tattoo” show at Edinburgh Castle. The lone piper atop the castle at the end is very stirring.
Remember reading the EL storey…gave me “goosebumps”
Yes I ‘ve been to Scotland. Loved the place. Remember the “Tattoo” show at Edinburgh Castle. The lone piper atop the castle at the end is very stirring.
Remember reading the EL storey…gave me “goosebumps”
Yes I ‘ve been to Scotland. Loved the place. Remember the “Tattoo” show at Edinburgh Castle. The lone piper atop the castle at the end is very stirring.
Remember reading the EL storey…gave me “goosebumps”
I just decided this week that I’m going to Scotland for vacation 10/11 – 10/20. Any recommendations?
I’m actually flying into London, meeting my parents there, renting a car, driving north, hitting some stuff on the Yorkshire coast last year, and heading into Scotland. Not sure if we’ll be able to make it all the way to the highlands, but I’m sure the “lowlands” have interesting stuff.
I just decided this week that I’m going to Scotland for vacation 10/11 – 10/20. Any recommendations?
I’m actually flying into London, meeting my parents there, renting a car, driving north, hitting some stuff on the Yorkshire coast last year, and heading into Scotland. Not sure if we’ll be able to make it all the way to the highlands, but I’m sure the “lowlands” have interesting stuff.
I just decided this week that I’m going to Scotland for vacation 10/11 – 10/20. Any recommendations?
I’m actually flying into London, meeting my parents there, renting a car, driving north, hitting some stuff on the Yorkshire coast last year, and heading into Scotland. Not sure if we’ll be able to make it all the way to the highlands, but I’m sure the “lowlands” have interesting stuff.
I just decided this week that I’m going to Scotland for vacation 10/11 – 10/20. Any recommendations?
I’m actually flying into London, meeting my parents there, renting a car, driving north, hitting some stuff on the Yorkshire coast last year, and heading into Scotland. Not sure if we’ll be able to make it all the way to the highlands, but I’m sure the “lowlands” have interesting stuff.
I just decided this week that I’m going to Scotland for vacation 10/11 – 10/20. Any recommendations?
I’m actually flying into London, meeting my parents there, renting a car, driving north, hitting some stuff on the Yorkshire coast last year, and heading into Scotland. Not sure if we’ll be able to make it all the way to the highlands, but I’m sure the “lowlands” have interesting stuff.
I never been to scotland but
that is the place i would love to travel to.I love the history of
scotland.I do notice the setting in a book.And how will the author
tells about it in a book.
I think thats why i love highlander books so much.the castles ,kilts and there accents.
all sound wonderful.
I never been to scotland but
that is the place i would love to travel to.I love the history of
scotland.I do notice the setting in a book.And how will the author
tells about it in a book.
I think thats why i love highlander books so much.the castles ,kilts and there accents.
all sound wonderful.
I never been to scotland but
that is the place i would love to travel to.I love the history of
scotland.I do notice the setting in a book.And how will the author
tells about it in a book.
I think thats why i love highlander books so much.the castles ,kilts and there accents.
all sound wonderful.
I never been to scotland but
that is the place i would love to travel to.I love the history of
scotland.I do notice the setting in a book.And how will the author
tells about it in a book.
I think thats why i love highlander books so much.the castles ,kilts and there accents.
all sound wonderful.
I never been to scotland but
that is the place i would love to travel to.I love the history of
scotland.I do notice the setting in a book.And how will the author
tells about it in a book.
I think thats why i love highlander books so much.the castles ,kilts and there accents.
all sound wonderful.
I’ve been to Scotland three times and it’s not enough. I think it’s truly the most beautiful place on earth. The fact that everyone I meet there is named Margaret is pretty fun too! My husband’s family is from Scotland by way of Nova Scotia, so I get to be Scottish by association. Their name was originally Robertson, so when my daughters were little, they had Robertson plaid kilts. So cute.
I’ve been to Scotland three times and it’s not enough. I think it’s truly the most beautiful place on earth. The fact that everyone I meet there is named Margaret is pretty fun too! My husband’s family is from Scotland by way of Nova Scotia, so I get to be Scottish by association. Their name was originally Robertson, so when my daughters were little, they had Robertson plaid kilts. So cute.
I’ve been to Scotland three times and it’s not enough. I think it’s truly the most beautiful place on earth. The fact that everyone I meet there is named Margaret is pretty fun too! My husband’s family is from Scotland by way of Nova Scotia, so I get to be Scottish by association. Their name was originally Robertson, so when my daughters were little, they had Robertson plaid kilts. So cute.
I’ve been to Scotland three times and it’s not enough. I think it’s truly the most beautiful place on earth. The fact that everyone I meet there is named Margaret is pretty fun too! My husband’s family is from Scotland by way of Nova Scotia, so I get to be Scottish by association. Their name was originally Robertson, so when my daughters were little, they had Robertson plaid kilts. So cute.
I’ve been to Scotland three times and it’s not enough. I think it’s truly the most beautiful place on earth. The fact that everyone I meet there is named Margaret is pretty fun too! My husband’s family is from Scotland by way of Nova Scotia, so I get to be Scottish by association. Their name was originally Robertson, so when my daughters were little, they had Robertson plaid kilts. So cute.
Maggie, that was my grandmother’s name, Margaret!! Too funny!
They were Wallaces and MacLeods but the families moved to the Lowlands about 100 years before my grandparents came here because things were so difficult in the Highlands at the time.
And didn’t people ask you what your clan was? They never ask your last name, they ask your clan.
Maggie, that was my grandmother’s name, Margaret!! Too funny!
They were Wallaces and MacLeods but the families moved to the Lowlands about 100 years before my grandparents came here because things were so difficult in the Highlands at the time.
And didn’t people ask you what your clan was? They never ask your last name, they ask your clan.
Maggie, that was my grandmother’s name, Margaret!! Too funny!
They were Wallaces and MacLeods but the families moved to the Lowlands about 100 years before my grandparents came here because things were so difficult in the Highlands at the time.
And didn’t people ask you what your clan was? They never ask your last name, they ask your clan.
Maggie, that was my grandmother’s name, Margaret!! Too funny!
They were Wallaces and MacLeods but the families moved to the Lowlands about 100 years before my grandparents came here because things were so difficult in the Highlands at the time.
And didn’t people ask you what your clan was? They never ask your last name, they ask your clan.
Maggie, that was my grandmother’s name, Margaret!! Too funny!
They were Wallaces and MacLeods but the families moved to the Lowlands about 100 years before my grandparents came here because things were so difficult in the Highlands at the time.
And didn’t people ask you what your clan was? They never ask your last name, they ask your clan.
My mother’s grandfather’s family were Ewarts, but descended from the Gordons of Kirkcudbright. I was told that at one point only the life of one sickly child stood between my grandfather and a Scottish baronetcy.
Obviously he got better.
Susan Sarah, be sure to pack properly:
http://tinyurl.com/5839ky
My mother’s grandfather’s family were Ewarts, but descended from the Gordons of Kirkcudbright. I was told that at one point only the life of one sickly child stood between my grandfather and a Scottish baronetcy.
Obviously he got better.
Susan Sarah, be sure to pack properly:
http://tinyurl.com/5839ky
My mother’s grandfather’s family were Ewarts, but descended from the Gordons of Kirkcudbright. I was told that at one point only the life of one sickly child stood between my grandfather and a Scottish baronetcy.
Obviously he got better.
Susan Sarah, be sure to pack properly:
http://tinyurl.com/5839ky
My mother’s grandfather’s family were Ewarts, but descended from the Gordons of Kirkcudbright. I was told that at one point only the life of one sickly child stood between my grandfather and a Scottish baronetcy.
Obviously he got better.
Susan Sarah, be sure to pack properly:
http://tinyurl.com/5839ky
My mother’s grandfather’s family were Ewarts, but descended from the Gordons of Kirkcudbright. I was told that at one point only the life of one sickly child stood between my grandfather and a Scottish baronetcy.
Obviously he got better.
Susan Sarah, be sure to pack properly:
http://tinyurl.com/5839ky
My maternal grandmother’s people were Orrocks, and they left Scotland because they had converted to another faith and weren’t welcome there anymore. I’ve never been there myself but it’s lack of inclination to travel alone, not any sort of lingering grudge.
All I want you to do, Susan Sarah, is if you run into David Tennant, tell him we all said hello and thank you 😉
My maternal grandmother’s people were Orrocks, and they left Scotland because they had converted to another faith and weren’t welcome there anymore. I’ve never been there myself but it’s lack of inclination to travel alone, not any sort of lingering grudge.
All I want you to do, Susan Sarah, is if you run into David Tennant, tell him we all said hello and thank you 😉
My maternal grandmother’s people were Orrocks, and they left Scotland because they had converted to another faith and weren’t welcome there anymore. I’ve never been there myself but it’s lack of inclination to travel alone, not any sort of lingering grudge.
All I want you to do, Susan Sarah, is if you run into David Tennant, tell him we all said hello and thank you 😉
My maternal grandmother’s people were Orrocks, and they left Scotland because they had converted to another faith and weren’t welcome there anymore. I’ve never been there myself but it’s lack of inclination to travel alone, not any sort of lingering grudge.
All I want you to do, Susan Sarah, is if you run into David Tennant, tell him we all said hello and thank you 😉
My maternal grandmother’s people were Orrocks, and they left Scotland because they had converted to another faith and weren’t welcome there anymore. I’ve never been there myself but it’s lack of inclination to travel alone, not any sort of lingering grudge.
All I want you to do, Susan Sarah, is if you run into David Tennant, tell him we all said hello and thank you 😉
It’s been almost 25 years since I was in Scotland. Truly a beautiful place and wonderful people. What I noticed most of all was the quality of the light (I felt it had blue undertones rather than the yellow quality I was used to in the American South–is that weird?)–and the vividness and saturation of the colors that infused the sky, sea, grass, and mountains.
It’s been almost 25 years since I was in Scotland. Truly a beautiful place and wonderful people. What I noticed most of all was the quality of the light (I felt it had blue undertones rather than the yellow quality I was used to in the American South–is that weird?)–and the vividness and saturation of the colors that infused the sky, sea, grass, and mountains.
It’s been almost 25 years since I was in Scotland. Truly a beautiful place and wonderful people. What I noticed most of all was the quality of the light (I felt it had blue undertones rather than the yellow quality I was used to in the American South–is that weird?)–and the vividness and saturation of the colors that infused the sky, sea, grass, and mountains.
It’s been almost 25 years since I was in Scotland. Truly a beautiful place and wonderful people. What I noticed most of all was the quality of the light (I felt it had blue undertones rather than the yellow quality I was used to in the American South–is that weird?)–and the vividness and saturation of the colors that infused the sky, sea, grass, and mountains.
It’s been almost 25 years since I was in Scotland. Truly a beautiful place and wonderful people. What I noticed most of all was the quality of the light (I felt it had blue undertones rather than the yellow quality I was used to in the American South–is that weird?)–and the vividness and saturation of the colors that infused the sky, sea, grass, and mountains.
One of my best friends went to Scotland with her family every year before she died unexpectedly. I love reading books set in Scotland, since they bring back memories of her stories and photos. I really enoy books with a realistic, well developed setting since it makes me feel like I’m there!
One of my best friends went to Scotland with her family every year before she died unexpectedly. I love reading books set in Scotland, since they bring back memories of her stories and photos. I really enoy books with a realistic, well developed setting since it makes me feel like I’m there!
One of my best friends went to Scotland with her family every year before she died unexpectedly. I love reading books set in Scotland, since they bring back memories of her stories and photos. I really enoy books with a realistic, well developed setting since it makes me feel like I’m there!
One of my best friends went to Scotland with her family every year before she died unexpectedly. I love reading books set in Scotland, since they bring back memories of her stories and photos. I really enoy books with a realistic, well developed setting since it makes me feel like I’m there!
One of my best friends went to Scotland with her family every year before she died unexpectedly. I love reading books set in Scotland, since they bring back memories of her stories and photos. I really enoy books with a realistic, well developed setting since it makes me feel like I’m there!
My husband and I have talked much of a “whisky tour”, but our daughter is going to get there first. Her high school theater program was selected as one of 55 American schools to perform at the AHSTF at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, next August. They go to London, take a class at the Globe and then are on to Edinburgh to perform 4 times. They are madley fund raising as the cost is up to $6000 per student. (gas and exchange rate have increased about $1500) It is an honor. I may even give up buying books to send her.
P.S. Husband and daughter have convinced me not to chaperone. I need to let her fly on her own.
My husband and I have talked much of a “whisky tour”, but our daughter is going to get there first. Her high school theater program was selected as one of 55 American schools to perform at the AHSTF at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, next August. They go to London, take a class at the Globe and then are on to Edinburgh to perform 4 times. They are madley fund raising as the cost is up to $6000 per student. (gas and exchange rate have increased about $1500) It is an honor. I may even give up buying books to send her.
P.S. Husband and daughter have convinced me not to chaperone. I need to let her fly on her own.
My husband and I have talked much of a “whisky tour”, but our daughter is going to get there first. Her high school theater program was selected as one of 55 American schools to perform at the AHSTF at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, next August. They go to London, take a class at the Globe and then are on to Edinburgh to perform 4 times. They are madley fund raising as the cost is up to $6000 per student. (gas and exchange rate have increased about $1500) It is an honor. I may even give up buying books to send her.
P.S. Husband and daughter have convinced me not to chaperone. I need to let her fly on her own.
My husband and I have talked much of a “whisky tour”, but our daughter is going to get there first. Her high school theater program was selected as one of 55 American schools to perform at the AHSTF at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, next August. They go to London, take a class at the Globe and then are on to Edinburgh to perform 4 times. They are madley fund raising as the cost is up to $6000 per student. (gas and exchange rate have increased about $1500) It is an honor. I may even give up buying books to send her.
P.S. Husband and daughter have convinced me not to chaperone. I need to let her fly on her own.
My husband and I have talked much of a “whisky tour”, but our daughter is going to get there first. Her high school theater program was selected as one of 55 American schools to perform at the AHSTF at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, next August. They go to London, take a class at the Globe and then are on to Edinburgh to perform 4 times. They are madley fund raising as the cost is up to $6000 per student. (gas and exchange rate have increased about $1500) It is an honor. I may even give up buying books to send her.
P.S. Husband and daughter have convinced me not to chaperone. I need to let her fly on her own.
I’ve been fascinated by Scotland ever since 1976, when I first saw (on TV) a movie called “I Know Where I’m Going,” with Roger Livsey and Wendy Hiller. VERY romantic. It led me to subscribe to Highlands Magazine, where I came across an article about an incident in the history of Clan Campbell.
Here it is, copied from http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/atoc/campbel-a.html
It’s about “Muriella, daughter and heiress of Sir John Calder of Calder, now Cawdor, near Nairn.
“According to tradition, she was captured in childhood by Sir John Campbell and a party of the Campbells, while out with her nurse near Calder castle. Her uncles pursued and overtook the division of the Campbells to whose care she had been intrusted, and would have rescued her but for the presence of mind of Campbell of Inverliver, who, seeing their approach, inverted a large camp kettle as if to conceal her, and commanding his seven sons to defend it to the death, hurried on with his prize. The young men were all slain, and when the Calders lifted up the kettle, no Muriel was there. Meanwhile so much time had been gained that further pursuit was useless. The nurse, just before the child was seized, bit off a joint of her little finger, in order to mark her identity – a precaution which seems to have been necessary, from Campbell of Auchinbreck’s reply to one who, in the midst of their congratulations on arriving safely in Argyll with their charge, asked what was to be done should the child die before she was marriageable. ‘She can never die’, said he, ‘as long as a red-haired lassie can be found on either side of Lochawe!'”
Wow, huh? Muriella ended up marrying her abductor (or perhaps another Sir John Campbell; the names can get so confusing!), who eventually inherited Muriella’s father’s estate and title, Calder, which eventually evolved into Cawdor. I was determined to write a novel based on the story of her abduction, etc., until I discovered that someone had beaten me to it.
In spite of all that, my first choice for travel remains Spain. It’s warmer, and it has better food!
I’ve been fascinated by Scotland ever since 1976, when I first saw (on TV) a movie called “I Know Where I’m Going,” with Roger Livsey and Wendy Hiller. VERY romantic. It led me to subscribe to Highlands Magazine, where I came across an article about an incident in the history of Clan Campbell.
Here it is, copied from http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/atoc/campbel-a.html
It’s about “Muriella, daughter and heiress of Sir John Calder of Calder, now Cawdor, near Nairn.
“According to tradition, she was captured in childhood by Sir John Campbell and a party of the Campbells, while out with her nurse near Calder castle. Her uncles pursued and overtook the division of the Campbells to whose care she had been intrusted, and would have rescued her but for the presence of mind of Campbell of Inverliver, who, seeing their approach, inverted a large camp kettle as if to conceal her, and commanding his seven sons to defend it to the death, hurried on with his prize. The young men were all slain, and when the Calders lifted up the kettle, no Muriel was there. Meanwhile so much time had been gained that further pursuit was useless. The nurse, just before the child was seized, bit off a joint of her little finger, in order to mark her identity – a precaution which seems to have been necessary, from Campbell of Auchinbreck’s reply to one who, in the midst of their congratulations on arriving safely in Argyll with their charge, asked what was to be done should the child die before she was marriageable. ‘She can never die’, said he, ‘as long as a red-haired lassie can be found on either side of Lochawe!'”
Wow, huh? Muriella ended up marrying her abductor (or perhaps another Sir John Campbell; the names can get so confusing!), who eventually inherited Muriella’s father’s estate and title, Calder, which eventually evolved into Cawdor. I was determined to write a novel based on the story of her abduction, etc., until I discovered that someone had beaten me to it.
In spite of all that, my first choice for travel remains Spain. It’s warmer, and it has better food!
I’ve been fascinated by Scotland ever since 1976, when I first saw (on TV) a movie called “I Know Where I’m Going,” with Roger Livsey and Wendy Hiller. VERY romantic. It led me to subscribe to Highlands Magazine, where I came across an article about an incident in the history of Clan Campbell.
Here it is, copied from http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/atoc/campbel-a.html
It’s about “Muriella, daughter and heiress of Sir John Calder of Calder, now Cawdor, near Nairn.
“According to tradition, she was captured in childhood by Sir John Campbell and a party of the Campbells, while out with her nurse near Calder castle. Her uncles pursued and overtook the division of the Campbells to whose care she had been intrusted, and would have rescued her but for the presence of mind of Campbell of Inverliver, who, seeing their approach, inverted a large camp kettle as if to conceal her, and commanding his seven sons to defend it to the death, hurried on with his prize. The young men were all slain, and when the Calders lifted up the kettle, no Muriel was there. Meanwhile so much time had been gained that further pursuit was useless. The nurse, just before the child was seized, bit off a joint of her little finger, in order to mark her identity – a precaution which seems to have been necessary, from Campbell of Auchinbreck’s reply to one who, in the midst of their congratulations on arriving safely in Argyll with their charge, asked what was to be done should the child die before she was marriageable. ‘She can never die’, said he, ‘as long as a red-haired lassie can be found on either side of Lochawe!'”
Wow, huh? Muriella ended up marrying her abductor (or perhaps another Sir John Campbell; the names can get so confusing!), who eventually inherited Muriella’s father’s estate and title, Calder, which eventually evolved into Cawdor. I was determined to write a novel based on the story of her abduction, etc., until I discovered that someone had beaten me to it.
In spite of all that, my first choice for travel remains Spain. It’s warmer, and it has better food!
I’ve been fascinated by Scotland ever since 1976, when I first saw (on TV) a movie called “I Know Where I’m Going,” with Roger Livsey and Wendy Hiller. VERY romantic. It led me to subscribe to Highlands Magazine, where I came across an article about an incident in the history of Clan Campbell.
Here it is, copied from http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/atoc/campbel-a.html
It’s about “Muriella, daughter and heiress of Sir John Calder of Calder, now Cawdor, near Nairn.
“According to tradition, she was captured in childhood by Sir John Campbell and a party of the Campbells, while out with her nurse near Calder castle. Her uncles pursued and overtook the division of the Campbells to whose care she had been intrusted, and would have rescued her but for the presence of mind of Campbell of Inverliver, who, seeing their approach, inverted a large camp kettle as if to conceal her, and commanding his seven sons to defend it to the death, hurried on with his prize. The young men were all slain, and when the Calders lifted up the kettle, no Muriel was there. Meanwhile so much time had been gained that further pursuit was useless. The nurse, just before the child was seized, bit off a joint of her little finger, in order to mark her identity – a precaution which seems to have been necessary, from Campbell of Auchinbreck’s reply to one who, in the midst of their congratulations on arriving safely in Argyll with their charge, asked what was to be done should the child die before she was marriageable. ‘She can never die’, said he, ‘as long as a red-haired lassie can be found on either side of Lochawe!'”
Wow, huh? Muriella ended up marrying her abductor (or perhaps another Sir John Campbell; the names can get so confusing!), who eventually inherited Muriella’s father’s estate and title, Calder, which eventually evolved into Cawdor. I was determined to write a novel based on the story of her abduction, etc., until I discovered that someone had beaten me to it.
In spite of all that, my first choice for travel remains Spain. It’s warmer, and it has better food!
I’ve been fascinated by Scotland ever since 1976, when I first saw (on TV) a movie called “I Know Where I’m Going,” with Roger Livsey and Wendy Hiller. VERY romantic. It led me to subscribe to Highlands Magazine, where I came across an article about an incident in the history of Clan Campbell.
Here it is, copied from http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/atoc/campbel-a.html
It’s about “Muriella, daughter and heiress of Sir John Calder of Calder, now Cawdor, near Nairn.
“According to tradition, she was captured in childhood by Sir John Campbell and a party of the Campbells, while out with her nurse near Calder castle. Her uncles pursued and overtook the division of the Campbells to whose care she had been intrusted, and would have rescued her but for the presence of mind of Campbell of Inverliver, who, seeing their approach, inverted a large camp kettle as if to conceal her, and commanding his seven sons to defend it to the death, hurried on with his prize. The young men were all slain, and when the Calders lifted up the kettle, no Muriel was there. Meanwhile so much time had been gained that further pursuit was useless. The nurse, just before the child was seized, bit off a joint of her little finger, in order to mark her identity – a precaution which seems to have been necessary, from Campbell of Auchinbreck’s reply to one who, in the midst of their congratulations on arriving safely in Argyll with their charge, asked what was to be done should the child die before she was marriageable. ‘She can never die’, said he, ‘as long as a red-haired lassie can be found on either side of Lochawe!'”
Wow, huh? Muriella ended up marrying her abductor (or perhaps another Sir John Campbell; the names can get so confusing!), who eventually inherited Muriella’s father’s estate and title, Calder, which eventually evolved into Cawdor. I was determined to write a novel based on the story of her abduction, etc., until I discovered that someone had beaten me to it.
In spite of all that, my first choice for travel remains Spain. It’s warmer, and it has better food!
I’ve never had the chance to go to Scotland! Oh, well. Maybe some day. My favorite place to travel is Canada. I’ve been there twice, hopefully I’ll be able to go there again soon.
I’ve never had the chance to go to Scotland! Oh, well. Maybe some day. My favorite place to travel is Canada. I’ve been there twice, hopefully I’ll be able to go there again soon.
I’ve never had the chance to go to Scotland! Oh, well. Maybe some day. My favorite place to travel is Canada. I’ve been there twice, hopefully I’ll be able to go there again soon.
I’ve never had the chance to go to Scotland! Oh, well. Maybe some day. My favorite place to travel is Canada. I’ve been there twice, hopefully I’ll be able to go there again soon.
I’ve never had the chance to go to Scotland! Oh, well. Maybe some day. My favorite place to travel is Canada. I’ve been there twice, hopefully I’ll be able to go there again soon.
I’ve never been to Scotland and oh, how I would love to go some day. I’m not sure I’ll ever get the chance so I experience it as much as I can in the historical romances I read. It sounds like such a beautiful place!
I’ve never been to Scotland and oh, how I would love to go some day. I’m not sure I’ll ever get the chance so I experience it as much as I can in the historical romances I read. It sounds like such a beautiful place!
I’ve never been to Scotland and oh, how I would love to go some day. I’m not sure I’ll ever get the chance so I experience it as much as I can in the historical romances I read. It sounds like such a beautiful place!
I’ve never been to Scotland and oh, how I would love to go some day. I’m not sure I’ll ever get the chance so I experience it as much as I can in the historical romances I read. It sounds like such a beautiful place!
I’ve never been to Scotland and oh, how I would love to go some day. I’m not sure I’ll ever get the chance so I experience it as much as I can in the historical romances I read. It sounds like such a beautiful place!