I’m back from the fabulous RNA Conference 2012! Every year I say that the conference was the best ever and this year that’s definitely true. It was great! Great food (the cakes were
amazing!), great talks and great shoes! There are lots of fun reports here on the RNA blog.
After the conference I headed off up to Scotland for a week of historical research. My first stop was Edinburgh. I’ve always wanted to visit and now I’m wondering what took me so long. I had the best time! So many wonderful historical places to visit! I was in happy historical heaven. I packed in as much as I could and I’ll be blogging about all the amazing places I went to as soon as my photos are ready to post. Meanwhile Rochester the Guide Dog Puppy will also be blogging about his epic train journey up to Scotland and the fun he had training in Edinburgh.
I’ve also brought back some lovely Scottish souvenirs to share with everyone because I know I’m not the only one who loves Scotland! If you would like the chance to win a set of gorgeous stationery from the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh, just comment on the blog, telling me your favourite book set in Scotland. Have a great week!
Nicola, I was in Scotland ten years ago, summer of 2002. I cursorily visited Edinburgh on the way south to Bamburg. My main destination was Aberdeenshire and Dunnottar Castle. We visited many castles, historic sites, gardens, distilleries, and even the local Highland Games in the surrounding Grampian Mountains. The reason for the trip was research into Pictish history, including long sessions camped on the floor of a tiny library in a tiny village handwriting notes. Out of that came an eight century tale that unfortunately did not have any takers, but I loved writing it!
Scotland was GORGEOUS in the summer. The wild North Sea was visible through the window, and watching the sun rise over the sea at 2.30 in the morning was spectacular. The growing season is so short that people seemed to go all out with their gardens of flowers! All the people we met were very nice and courteous–and that really what keeps my memories of the trip so alive.
Hey Nicola. My favorite book set in Scotland is
(THE BONNIE BRIDE by HANNAH HOWELL). I love this book and the series. If this men exist in Scotland, I might definitely visit their someday
Hi Aniya! You have definitely whetted my appetite for The Bonnie Bride. I will look out for that one!
My favourite book set in Scotland is hands down Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. I think one of the things so appealing about these books is that we’ve followed the lives of the characters over many years. Jamie was in his early 20′s in the first book and has now reached the ripe old age of 50 if I recall correctly and there aren’t too many books that we get to carry on with the characters over so many years…..and there is still more to come.
I have only visited Scotland once in 1997. I have family in Scotland and my Uncle told me that when I crossed the border into Scotland I would be in “God’s Country” and it felt so very true. So rich in history and so lush and green. I can’t wait to get back there some day.
How wonderful to have such a family connection to Scotland, Karen, and such wonderful memories of visiting!
The Outlander books is a really powerful series. Such vivid writing and wonderful atmosphere!
Many years ago I fell in love with the Rihanna books by Christine Marion Fraser. I was always sad to finish one but then couldn’t wait to start the next. They were sheer escapism and we all need that at times
Oh, me too, Carol! I loved those books!
What an amazing trip, Keira, and you still write so vividly about it even now. A pity about the 8th century tale not finding a home – I would have read it!
My favourite book set in Scotland is The Liberation of Celia Kahn by J. David Simons.
Thanks for the recommendation, Jenni. Another book to look out for!
My favorite book set in Scotland is by Josephine Tey, The Singing Sands. Josephine Tey was from Scotland, but many of her Inspector Grant novels are set in 1930s London. In this one, he’s on enforced leave and intends to relax by fishing while staying with this cousin in Scotland. The description of the scenery and the peace of the Scottish countryside is wonderful, and the characters and plot are excellent as always.
I also like the Mary Stewart books which are set in Scotland: Wildfire at Midnight set in Skye, and especially Stormy Petrel about the beautiful wild western islands.
HJ, I adore The Singing Sands and read it often! It’s lovely to find someone else who enjoys it too. Her books are wonderful. Mary Stewart captures Scotland beautifully too although I found Wildfire at Midnight quite frightening! Thanks for mentioning both these authors. I hope if people haven’t already picked the books up they will give them a try.