Review of Highland Bride by Hannah Howell, an historical romance novel set in medieval Scotland.
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Synopsis
When Gillyanne Murray takes possession of her dower property, she doesn’t expect the three neighbouring lairds to turn up on her doorstep. Intent on maintaining peace, they insist that she must marry one of them. After keeping them at bay for three days, Gillyanne agrees to marry Connor MacEnroy.
The first hours of their marriage are rocky as Connor rushes her to his home (Deilcladach) and promptly seems to forget her. Gillyanne soon finds that Connor has some strange ideas about ‘gentle-born ladies’ that she must correct. She also struggles to break through the tight hold Connor has on his emotions.
Her efforts are complicated by Connor’s uncle and resentful ex-lover. Then Connor’s uncle is found dead, murdered with Connor’s dagger. Connor is imprisoned for the murder, so Gillyanne must prove his innocence and uncover the real killer. Back at Deilcladach, can Connor show Gillyanne how he feels before her father gives her a way out of their marriage?
Review
Highland Bride could have been two different books. The first part, where Gillyanne defends her property from the three lairds, was hilarious. The methods she used to repel her suitors were inspired and they deserved everything they got.
Once Gillyanne agrees to marry Connor and goes to Deilcladach with him, the whole story changes. It becomes more of a romance as they get to know each other and figure out their relationship.
I loved Gillyanne. She is spirited, creative, and amusing. Despite her apparently diminutive size, she has strength and an outgoing personality, making her seem larger. It was so much fun watching Gillyanne deal with Connor’s ex-lover and her friends (aka “The Three Whores of Deilcladach”).
My feelings about Connor are more complicated. He is handsome and fierce and everything a romance hero should be, while still being able to develop as a character. He appreciates Gillyanne’s intelligence and accepts her guidance in their relationship. However, he is just a bit too stubborn when it comes to showing strength and emotion. And his devastation over his uncle’s death is believable but gets annoying.
The constant psychoanalysing was repetitive and eventually boring. We don’t need to be told every ten pages how Connor must stay strong for the clan because of the violence of the feud that killed his parents. Furthermore, the dialogue got a bit repetitive.
Conclusion
Have you read Highland Bride? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.
If you haven’t, you can buy it at the following stores:
Review of The Parchment Scroll, a time-travelling romance set primarily in 17th century Scotland, the final book in the Highland Secrets trilogy by C.A. Szarek.
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Synopsis
After her sister goes missing, Jules McGowan travels to Scotland to look for her. There, she meets a strange woman called Bree who claims she can take Jules to her sister. They go together to the Faery Stones where Bree (with Jules’ help) opens a portal to the 17th century.
The first person Jules meets in 1675 is Hugh MacDonald, Laird of Clan MacDonald. Seeing that Jules has a parchment scroll written by someone close to the laird of his rival clan, Hugh takes her to his home, intending to ransom her. Instead, his auntie makes him send her straight to the MacLeods, but not before both he and Jules become obsessed with each other.
Then Bree steals a MacLeod child. Hugh returns the boy to his family, taking the opportunity to kidnap Jules again. Back at Hugh’s home, he and Jules get to know each other better and become lovers. After a while, Jules decides it’s time to return to the 21st century. Will she leave Hugh, or will he convince her to stay?
Review
The Parchment Scroll is the 3rd and final book in the Highland Secrets trilogy. I found it engaging from the start and thought it tied everything from the series together well. It has lots of action, great characters, and an interesting storyline. I particularly loved the scenes between the two sisters, especially their conversations.
I enjoyed getting a bit more of Claire and Jules’ backstory. In The Tartan MP3 Player, we are told that Claire has no one in the future except her sister. There’s no parents or other family that she should return to her own time for, other than Jules. In The Parchment Scroll, we find out that they spent much of their childhood in foster care.
“How could being raised with technology be better than being with his father?”
Jules frowned. She didn’t have the balls to retort to that. They’d been raised without either parent, so she couldn’t blame her sister for wanting her kid to have both.
Foster care sucked.
The characters felt more real in this book than they did in The Tartan MP3 Player. I can’t put my finger on what exactly the author did differently, but they seem more like people and less like characters.
I liked that the author used the real historical rivalry between the MacLeod and MacDonald clans as a source of conflict. While they’re not actively at war, they clearly don’t like each other. This makes Jules falling in love with a MacDonald while her sister’s married to a MacLeod a bit awkward.
The romance between Hugh and Jules was problematic. They are both possessive of each other, to the point that Hugh keeps kidnapping Jules. At least Jules recognises this, occasionally calling herself ‘Stockholm-Syndrome-Girl.’ However, they are both strong people with strong personalities, and the banter between them is both funny and sweet.
Conclusion
Have you read The Parchment Scroll? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.
If you haven’t, you can buy it from the following stores:
So, you’ve read Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series and loved it. You’ve maybe watched the TV show. Now, you have nothing “Outlander” to read or watch. It’s droughtlander. You could reread or rewatch Outlander, but eventually you should find something else to read. Check out my recommendations of books to read if you love Outlander.
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Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati
Into the Wilderness features Elizabeth Middleton, an English spinster schoolteacher, as she joins her father in the New York wilderness. Her father has plans for her to marry the local doctor – plans that she has no intention of going along with.
Instead, she runs away with Nathaniel Bonner, a man whose Native American family could be destroyed by the local village. After several months in the bush while their friends take care of legal matters, they return home where they have to rebuild the good opinions of their neighbours.
Elizabeth is a strong woman who knows what she wants and does what she has to do to get it. She may not have travelled back in time, but she has progressive ideals and a modern way of dealing with things. Like Outlander, Into the Wilderness is the first in an epic series packed with romance, adventure, and the vicissitudes of life.
Clan of the Cave Bear is the first of Jean M. Auel’s Earth Children’s series. It tells the story of a young girl who is adopted by a community of Neanderthals. Though the Clan, as they call themselves, are initially wary, they come to love Ayla.
However, the Clan’s leader has a son who instantly dislikes Ayla and does everything he can to make her life difficult. This eventually leads to her leaving the Clan, and later books in the series follow her life apart from the Clan, her romance with a hunky caveman, and her struggles fitting in.
White Rose Rebel is the story of Anne Farquharson, Lady MacIntosh. A staunch Jacobite, she raises the men of her husband’s clan to fight for Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 1745 rising. Her husband (Aeneas), however, has indebted himself to the English and joins the government forces.
Like Outlander, White Rose Rebel has a strong female protagonist who gets involved in the Jacobite rising. Anne’s romantic life features throughout the book, and like Claire’s, is somewhat complicated. It’s a standalone book, but the story is told so well, there’s no need for a sequel.
Dougless Montgomery has been abandoned by her boyfriend while on holiday in England. While she’s crying over her misfortune, a strange man appears in front of her wearing 16th century armour.
Nicholas, Earl of Thornwyck, was awaiting execution when he is magically transported to a strange future where he meets a crying woman. Convinced that the woman can send him home, he tries to keep her with him. Together, they dive into the historical record to try to uncover the truth behind the final days of Nicholas’s life.
There’s romance, a handsome and chivalrous hero, and well-developed historical settings. Nicholas isn’t as immediately loveable as Jamie, but by the end of the book, his relationship with Dougless was just as swoon worthy as the romance between Jamie and Claire.
After travelling to court in an attempt to have King Alexander cancel her betrothal, Margaret MacDonald finds her home has been raided by Norsemen. As the group searches the rubble, a group of Irishmen arrive, including the half-Norse Gannon MacMagnus. The following months are trying for everyone, as they rebuild the castle and seek vengeance on the raiders.
On a Highland Shore has romance, adventure, and a gorgeous Scottish setting. Unfortunately, Kathleen Givens died before she could finish the series (something I sincerely hope doesn’t happen to Diana Gabaldon). Otherwise, it’s an epic story.
When scattering her grandfather’s ashes on an Irish lake, Anne Gallagher gets lost in a sudden fog. She finds herself in 1921 with a bullet wound in her side. Dr Thomas Smith, the man who raised her grandfather, rescues her, initially mistaking her for his ward’s mother.
Once she’s healed, Anne throws herself into 1920s life: being mother to Eoin, joining the Irish revolution, and falling in love with Thomas. She loves her life in the 20s, but the revolution and questions about the other Anne’s disappearance create difficulties.
What the Wind Knows has time travel, romance, and a woman trying to fit in a time other than her own. I loved the glimpse of what life was like in 1920s Ireland. The characters were life-like, the love was timeless and unconditional, and the writing was superb.
When her uncle the King dies, Rhiann must secure her people’s future by marrying and producing an heir. Eremon is an exiled Irish prince who is in Alba (Scotland) to make alliances and create a name for himself.
Their forced marriage starts a bit rocky, but soon they become friends. United by a desire to protect Alba from the Romans, they travel across Scotland, visiting powerful kings. Along the way they fall in love, but their various secrets keep them from admitting it to each other.
Set in 1st century AD Scotland, The White Mare gives brilliant descriptions to the same place Outlander is set in, just at a different time. The hero, Eremon, has a lot in common with Jamie Fraser; they are both handsome, courageous, and intelligent men. If you love Outlander, you will thoroughly enjoy the story of Rhiann and Eremon.
Taking the form of a series of letters, Letters from Skye tells the story of a Scottish poet and her impetuous, American admirer. Elspeth and Davey share their thoughts and dreams, eventually realising that they’ve fallen in love with each other.
When Europe goes to war in 1914, Davey volunteers to drive ambulances in France. This prompts Elspeth to overcome her fear of boats to meet him in person. During World War Two, their daughter finds her mother’s letters and determines to find out what happened.
Letters from Skye left me with a massive book hangover. As much as I wanted to find out the end of the story, I didn’t want it to end. The letters were gripping, the romance emotionally involving, and the setting beautiful.
In 17th century Scotland, Morna has been unable to learn how to use her magical powers since her father banished her teacher. Then she finds an injured man who needs help returning to his own time. Fortunately, her brother has found journals written by her old mentor and set up a secret magic room for her to study in.
As Morna works towards sending Jerry home, the two of them become good friends and romance develops. Then word reaches them of a druid who might be able to teach Morna. While Jerry searches for the druid, Morna becomes convinced that he will never return and agrees to marry her brother’s friend, Henry.
Love Beyond Reach is the eighth book in the Morna’s Legacy series (it’s a prequel to the other books). There’re twelve novels in the main series so far, and this is the first one I’ve read. Having read it, I definitely want to read the rest.
In Tapestry, Jane Maxwell falls off Uluru (Ayers Rock) and wakes in the body of a Scottish noblewoman. Winifred’s husband, the Earl of Nithsdale, is in the Tower of London, awaiting execution for his part in the 1715 Jacobite Rising.
As Winifred, Jane must travel to London and save the Earl. If she succeeds, Jane is certain that her 21st century fiancée (Will) will wake-up from his coma. Along the way, she makes friends and falls in love. By the time she returns home, Jane is no longer sure that she wants to marry Will.
The Earl of Nithsdale’s escape from the Tower of London is truly an incredible true-story. I liked the unique angle the whole time-travel element added to it. Jane is such a strong, ingenious woman (a bit like Claire). Between the adventure, Jacobites, and romance, Tapestry is a book you will enjoy if you love Outlander.
Lions last lived wild in Europe thousands of years ago. Despite this, lions have been popular in European art from the Greeks and Egyptians, right through to the Middle Ages.
Once my sister pointed this out to me, I started taking pictures of the lions I saw. Here’s the best of what I got.
London
Lion at Southwark Cathedral
One of the lions that protects Westminster Bridge
British Museum
By the main entrance doors to the British Museum, this lion looks like it might once have been some sort of water fountain.
The Lion of Knidos, from an ancient cemetery in Turkey, now in the Great Court of the British Museum
King Amenhotep III as a lion (Egyptian Sculpture Gallery)
Assyrian Guard Lion, 9th century BC (it weighs 15 tons!)
Section of an Assyrian panel depicting a lion hunt, 9th century BC
Limestone statuette of a lion, 6th century BC, from a sanctuary of Aphrodite
Faience vases from Rhodes, late 6th century BC
Bronze lion from Macedonia, 510-500BC
Bronze figure of a lioness crouched to spring, Greek, 6th century BC
York
This lion can be found by the entrance gates to the Yorkshire Museum Gardens
This lion is from the top of a birch tankard from the Merchant Adventurers Hall, possibly from the Baltic.
This lion is from a 16th century fireplace surround at the Merchant Adventurers Hall.
A doorknocker on a random door in York
Another doorknocker on another random door in York
This lion decorated a grand tomb in one of Eboracum’s (Roman York) cemeteries
Another lion-themed doorknocker on a random door in York
Edinburgh
This lion is on a commemorative plaque from 1964, which is currently housed in The People’s Story, a museum in Edinburgh
Three of these lions sit at the base of a medieval pedestal at The National Museum of Scotland
The decorative end of a handrail for some steps on Calton Hill
Linlithgow
Look up when you walk through the gatehouse at Linlithgow Palace, and you will see this fearsome guy
Inside Linlithgow Palace, in the courtyard, is a 16 foot tall fountain built in 1538, and this goofy lion is part of the decorations.
Review of The White Mare, an epic historical fiction novel by Jules Watson set in 1st century Scotland.
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Synopsis
After the king of the Epidii dies, Rhiann has to marry and produce an heir. If she refuses to marry, her people could lose their position and freedom. However, a violent event in her past has left her terrified of marriage, and she only agrees to marry out of duty.
The man the council choose for her is Eremon, an exiled Irish prince. Eremon is in Alba to make allies and earn a name for himself. Roman advances into Alba provide him with the perfect opportunity to do this.
Over time, Eremon and Rhiann come to love each other. However, their respective pasts keep them from doing anything about it. They also visit other powerful clans and continue the fight against the Romans.
Review
The White Mare transported me to 1st century Scotland. I really felt like I could see what life was like back then. It mixes a little bit of magic in with the known history perfectly and fills gaps in the record brilliantly. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the various settings, like the roman fortifications and iron age strongholds.
A massive ditch had been delved, shouldered by sweeping banked walls three times the height of a mounted man. The bank was then crowned by a timber palisade and walkway, and lookout towers, reared from the breastwork every thirty paces. The oaken gate, the width of four chariots, was flanked by two sturdy gatetowers. Over it all, banners flew, embroidered with the eagle totem, and the posts they hung from were capped with gold so they shone bright in the sun.
Inside was the familiar jumble of squat roundhouses and ramshackle sheds, but everything seemed larger and noisier and more frenzied than at Dunadd. The air or prosperity was tangible. Wooden walkways kept feet free of the mud. House walls were bright with colour, and hung with banners and trophy skulls. The thatch roofs were new and golden.
Rhiann was almost annoyingly stubborn, particularly when it comes to trusting others. However, her difficult past and dedication to her people makes her stubbornness (and the fear it stems from) understandable. While much of the tension wouldn’t exist if Rhiann had just communicated with Eremon a bit better, I really couldn’t blame her for her secrecy.
The romance between Rhiann and Eremon was so beautiful. It was good to read a romance that was built over time, rather than seemingly appearing out of nowhere. I also liked how it didn’t overwhelm the main historical storyline.
I loved how the story had so many storylines woven together. Aside from the main story about Rhiann and Eremon, there’s Catilin’s history and her romance with Conaire. Then there’s the Romans building their wall and Samana’s alliance with Agricola.
Conclusion
Have you read The White Mare? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.
Review of Tapestry by Fiona McIntosh, a time travelling historical fiction set in the 18th century and 1970s.
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Synopsis
Following an incident that leaves her fiancé in a coma, Jane travels to Australia feeling that, somehow, it will help him. After climbing Ayers Rock (Uluru), she wakes up to find herself inhabiting the body of Winifred Maxwell, Countess of Nithsdale. Winifred’s husband, William, has been imprisoned in the Tower of London for his part in the failed 1715 Jacobite Rising.
Acting as Winifred, Jane must travel to London and save William. If she succeeds, her 20th century fiancé will wake-up. Heavy snow and Winifred’s physical frailty work against her, but she is helped by a man called Julius Sackville and Winifred’s friends in London.
Once her quest is over, she has to make some difficult decisions. Does she still want to marry her 20th century fiancée? What about the man she fell in love with in 1715?
Review
The Earl of Nithsdale’s escape from the Tower of London is a fantastic story. I suspect that many authors would write it as straight historical fiction, but adding the mystical time-travel element gave Tapestry a unique angle.
I thought Jane was a strong, courageous, and likeable heroine. However, climbing Uluru as she did, with no water in the middle of the day and with a storm threatening, was unbelievably stupid. I understand that she was driven by worry for her fiancée, and without it there would be no story. It just seemed out of character for such an intelligent person.
The way that Jane spent most of the book in Winifred’s body was confusing at times. Jane does and thinks things, but does things as Winifred and is called ‘Winifred’ by everyone around her. There’s two people in one body – very confusing.
Traquair House was in a state of flux as Winifred prepared for her journey to London. Jane had begged off food and company that evening, desperate to have time alone to think.
I liked how the story occasionally jumped back to the 1970s. I particularly enjoyed the way these ‘jumps’ incorporated the points of view of different people, like Jane’s parents and the nurse who cares for Jane’s fiancée.
Tapestry ended well. For the first 70 or 80 percent of the book, it was average. While the prologue was interesting, it didn’t make any sense until the executions scene. The set-up (getting to know Jane’s life and personality) was effective but long and boring. But the ending, with the escape and return to the 1970s was fantastic.
Conclusion
Have you read Tapestry? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.
If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!).
Review of Love Beyond Reach, a time travel romance set in 17th century Scotland by Bethany Claire.
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Synopsis
Morna’s father strongly disapproves of her magic abilities and sends away the one person who can teach her. Years later, 20-year-old Morna finds a strange young man. She is Jerry’s best hope at returning to his own time, but first she has to learn all she can from some recently discovered spell-books left behind by her teacher.
As they spend more time together, Morna and Jerry grow to love each other. Then Morna’s father dies, and her old teacher returns and takes Jerry. Heartbroken, Morna agrees to marry her brother’s friend but finds that he is not the man she thought he was and leaves to fight to get Jerry back.
Review
Love Beyond Reach is the eighth book in the Morna’s Legacy series and is apparently something of a prequel. I haven’t read the previous books yet but think that I might appreciate Love Beyond Reach more once I have. I love how it was written as a book meant to help the woman in the next book. It’s definitely left me wanting more.
This book could be called a romance novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes where Morna and Jerry were falling in love. However, the romance was far from overwhelming. There was a lot of intrigue and other sub-plots, so I initially categorised it as historical fiction, not romance.
The characters were all well developed and memorable, even minor characters. Morna’s brother, Alasdair, was so caring and protective of his family. Her one-time fiancée Henry had an interesting arc where we gradually discover just how bad he really is. And Mary, the housekeeper, was such a forceful, loyal, and organised person that I just had to like her.
I really liked Morna. She may not do things the way she’s expected to, but she follows her instincts and gets things done. I loved how close she was to her family and lengths she goes to protect them. Despite constant challenges, Morna keeps learning and becomes the person her brother believes she can be.
“But yer death is a ruse to save yer brother from a violent clash with Henry’s clan.”
So Henry would keep his word and spread the news of my witchcraft, and my death is all that could prevent the bloodshed of others. I would gladly fake my death for such a cause. […]
Until he asked the question, I’d not stopped to think about the ramifications of faking my own death. I would never be able to see all those I loved. For them, it would seem as if I truly were dead. It would be my last time to see my home, my nephew, my brother.
Love Beyond Reach could have been set in any time or place. There is almost nothing that sticks it to 17th century Scotland. Sure, the dialogue has the occasional bit of Scottish brogue, but the setting isn’t developed enough.
Conclusion
Have you read Love Beyond Reach? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.
If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!) or Waterstones (free delivery on UK orders over £25, will ship internationally).
Review of Letters from Skye, an historical romance novel by Jessica Brockmole, set in Scotland during World Wars One and Two
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Synopsis
In 1912, an impetuous young American sends a letter to the author of his favourite book of poetry. Thus begins a friendship that blossoms into romance just as war begins. Davey volunteers as an ambulance driver in France, prompting Elspeth to overcome her fear of boats in order to see him.
Meanwhile, in 1940, Elspeth’s daughter, Margaret, has stumbled across her mother’s old letters. Curious, she starts asking questions. This prompts Elspeth to go to London without warning and looking for Davey. With her mother gone, Margaret resorts to contacting a long-lost uncle and travelling to Skye for the answers to her questions.
Review
Letters from Skye takes the style of a collection of letters. In my opinion, this is a great way to tell this story. We get to see into Elspeth and Davey’s minds and really experience the growth of their relationship. However, it is set in some amazing places which couldn’t be fully developed.
While a bit modern, the letters were very gripping. The back and forth between the characters created tension and really involved my emotions in Elspeth and Davey’s relationship. Their friendship was so deep, and their developing romance helped the keep things light amidst a dark time.
I didn’t like the way some of the letters talked about things that both sender and recipient were present for. The person the letter is addressed to was there and knows what happened. There’s no need for such an explanation in letter writing. I’m sure the author could have come up with a better way to impart this information, if necessary.
One of the issues dealt with in Letters from Skye is adultery. Elspeth is married when she and Davey begin their relationship. There’s also Elspeth’s brother, who ‘steals’ their other brother’s fiancée when he’s injured in the war. This wasn’t a problem for me, but I understand that it might trouble some readers.
All that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It gripped me right from the beginning, and as much as I wanted answers, I didn’t want the story to end. It left me with such a book hangover.
And I loved how Elspeth and Davey loved books. I can imagine myself getting lost on a street full of bookstores just like Elspeth does at one point.
Conclusion
Have you read Letters from Skye? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.
If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!) or Waterstones (free delivery on UK orders over £25, will ship internationally).
Linlithgow is a gorgeous little town west of Edinburgh and makes a great day trip from Scotland’s capital. There’s palace ruins and an historic church to explore, and cute shops on an old-timey feeling main street.
While I visited on a day trip, I think it would be a lovely place for a quiet getaway. Maybe one day…
Getting there
Linlithgow is on the train line between Edinburgh and Glasgow, about half an hour from Waverly Station. An off-peak return ticket from either Waverly or Haymarket costs £8.80. Trains run between Edinburgh and Linlithgow every 15-20 minutes (about).
Alternatively, the X38 bus stops in Linlithgow. The bus runs between Edinburgh and Stirling and leaves every 15 minutes until mid-afternoon, at which point it becomes a bit more irregular but still frequent. The trip takes a bit under an hour and apparently costs £6 each way. It seems more sensible to me to take the train.
What to do
Linlithgow Palace
The Palace (not a castle) has been a roofless ruin since a fire in the 18th century. In its’ day, it seems to have been a favourite among royal wives and if the souvenir guidebook is to be believed, was absolutely stunning. It’s still beautiful, but in a bleak kind of way.
Construction was started in 1424 by King James I of Scotland following a fire that destroyed the previous royal residence in Linlithgow. Later King Jameses continued building but later royals spent very little time at the palace following James VI’s ascension to the English throne.
Its primary claim to fame is as the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. She was born here in 1542; we don’t know for sure which room she was born in, but historians have made some good guesses.
Linlithgow Palace was also used as a filming location in season 1 of Outlander. The man in the gift shop sounded almost proud as he told me “Claire vomited just out there” after I bought a postcard.
St Michael’s Parish Church
Next door to Linlithgow Palace, St Michael’s looks like it’s part of the Palace complex. Having been massively damaged in the 15th century fire that destroyed the old royal, the current building dates from the 15th and 16th centuries. It’s much grander than you would expect a parish church to be.
Over the years, the church has had some troubled times. Though repairs have been made when needed, the building still shows small signs of these events. For example, there are marks on the back wall from Oliver Cromwell’s roundheads doing target practice.
The day I was there, there was an overly enthusiastic young man playing Highland Cathedral on the church organ. However, he was playing it way too fast and with the occasional long-drawn-out note. It made it difficult to talk with the volunteer guides.
Note: in winter, St Michael’s closes at 1pm, so I recommend visiting in the morning, before Linlithgow Palace. The walk down to the town is very short, so it’s easy enough to stop for lunch in between.
Linlithgow Museum
Usually, local museums of this type tend to be small and poorly put together. The Linlithgow Museum, however, is tidy, free of dust and clutter, and thoughtfully put together. There are three galleries with displays on local industries and life in Linlithgow.
Displays include a life-size statue of Mary Queen of Scots, a set of leather-working tools, and items that belonged to famous people associated with Linlithgow. Interesting fact: the town claims that Montgomery Scott, the engineer from Star Trek, will be born in Linlithgow in the year 2222.
Note: the museum is closed on Tuesdays, so if you really want to visit, go to Linlithgow any other day of the week. Also, the museum is housed in the same building as the library, community police, and other council services.
Places to eat
The Four Marys
This is the place that I chose to have lunch. I had the haggis fritters with whiskey sauce (it was so good). It’s technically an entrée, but there was a family at the table next to us and their mains looked massive; I didn’t need that much food.
Inside, it has that cosy, old pub feeling while being large and spacious. There was a fireplace with a roaring fire. Having thoroughly saturated my shoes in the snow outside, I was grateful for such a great place to warm up and dry off a bit.
The name “The Four Marys” comes from Mary Queen of Scot’s four ladies-in-waiting, all of whom were called Mary. The pub has appropriately historical décor with items related to Mary Queen of Scots displayed on the walls. It’s so cool.
Old Post Office
True to name, the Old Post Office Bar is housed in the old post office building. I haven’t eaten there myself, but online reviews are largely positive. Looking at their menu, they serve good pub food at reasonable prices.
Picnic in The Peel
Alternatively, there is a Tesco’s supermarket at the end of town, just past the train station. In summer, it would be nice to grab a bite to eat there and picnic in the Linlithgow Peel. I was there in winter, and while it was beautiful, it was also covered in snow (not picnic suitable).
The Peel is a royal park with a large loch just under the palace. Large numbers of birds live around the loch (especially in summer) and is protected as a “Site of Special Scientific Interest.” With wildlife and dog-walking locals, I would love to sit and look around on a sunny day.
Please remember to check local restrictions before travelling during a pandemic and follow the rules. Also, if you have any questions about planning your own day-trip to Linlithgow, feel free to ask them in the comments.
Review of Some Enchanted Evening by Christina Dodd, a regency era romance set in 1808 Scotland.
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Synopsis
Clarice is a princess of Beaumontagne, a small kingdom in the Pyrenees Mountains. Or she was, until revolution threatened her family and she was sent to safety in England. Now, Clarice travels from town to town, selling cosmetics in order to support herself and her younger sister Amy.
Arriving in the Scottish town of Freya Crags, Clarice finds herself the personal guest of Robert MacKenzie, Earl of Hepburn. Robert has been troubled by some things that had happened during the Napoleonic Wars. Clarice’s presence gives him an opportunity to fix these wrongs. While there, she also improves his relationship with his sister and brings him back to full sanity.
Review
Some Enchanted Evening is a light and easy read with a simple (and somewhat silly) plot. Exiled princess falls in love with a troubled Scottish earl – nothing too complicated. There is a lot of time spent on verbal sparring and long conversation, but not enough time spent on creating depth (there is almost no character or relationship development).
So much about the story makes no sense. I find it completely unbelievable that Clarice could make herself look so convincingly like another woman to trick Colonel Ogley. Clarice and Amy are supposed to be hiding from potential assassins, but Clarice draws attention to herself while selling cosmetics. Also, the motivations for certain actions seem a bit far-fetched. For instance, I don’t believe for a second that Clarice slept with Robert that first time “because you needed me.”
I have serious problems with some of the choices the author made in naming the characters. Clarice and Amy are not names that royalty give their children, even royalty in small fictional countries. Also, one of Clarice’s middle names is Jayne, spelled with a “Y”. This is a minor issue, however.
Some Enchanted Evening is supposedly set in 1808 Scotland. However, it has more of a fairy-tale, not historical, feeling. Clarice has been travelling unchaperoned in a time when it was unsafe for women to travel alone. She sells cosmetics to young ladies when makeup is only used by courtesans. Then she jumps into bed with Robert without a thought for the possibility of pregnancy. It’s too modern.
However, I loved the way that Clarice helped Millicent (Robert’s sister) to recognise her worth. She didn’t need the royal creams to be beautiful; Millicent just needed a bit of confidence. And the old men in the village were just lovely.
Conclusion
Have you read Some Enchanted Evening? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.
If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!) or Waterstones (free delivery on UK orders over £25, will ship internationally).
