In September, Ariel and I (Abby) took a two-week long trip to one of the most glorious places on earth: Scotland. This was a real bucket list item for us. We were raised on a steady diet of George MacDonald interspersed with family lore about our Scottish ancestors. Scotland had been calling to me, personally, for a long time and we finally decided that this was the year that we would take that pilgrimage to see if the land of our ancestors was indeed the land of our hearts.
We toured castles, chased waterfalls, stood at the top of rugged cliffs, gazed on grassy glens, and trod down cobblestone streets laid before the founding of our own country.
It was the trip of a lifetime and I have no regrets. Though two weeks was a long time for a vacation and it took an act of Congress and four minor miracles to actually pull off, it was gone in a flash.
Scotland had been so mythologized in my heart that I fully expected to arrive on that soil and feel like I had arrived home, to the land of my ancestors. Here at last is my homeland. The funny thing is, I did not. Don’t get me wrong, I loved every precious moment of the trip. The views and history of the country took my breath away. But it was not home. My home is here in Tennessee with my four crazy children and two poorly behaved dogs. With band practices and volleyball games, running errands and doctor appointments. And that’s ok, it’s more than ok. It was a grand adventure and brought to life the scenery and setting of some of my favorite books. And like any good vacation, I have come home re-charged and creatively fueled.
We have been back for a few weeks settling in to everyday life but I keep scrolling through my photos and adding bagpipe ballads to my playlists to reclaim the magic of the trip. It has also inspired me to compile a list of all my favorite Scottish books and stories to share with you. Perhaps you, too, need some more Scotland in your life?
If so, here are a number of highly recommended books:
The Gifts Of The Child Christ: George MacDonald was a Scottish minister, poet, and author in the 1800s. His work was one of the main influences on CS Lewis and in the 1970s there was a great resurgence in popularity when his works were translated, edited, and brought to the US. I was raised on his novels and short stories and, fancifully, believe in my heart that he is one of my ancestors. But it is his collection of short stories and fairy tales, The Gifts Of The Child Christ, that I believe is his best work. You will not find a tired version of Cinderella in that book. Instead there is a wealth of original fairy tales such as The Lost Princess in which a cruel and selfish princess is abducted from her castle and has to learn to be good in order to return home. Or The Carasoyn a tale about a shepherd boy who diverts a Highland stream through the center of his cottage and discovers a fleet of wicked fairies who sail the stream every night. Having just witnessed the thousands of little streams that trickle down every hillside in Scotland, this story has come to life in vivid detail. Clever twists on the classic tales of princesses who are in need of rescue are mixed with stories of giants, werewolves, vampires, and fairies. Suffice it to say, this anthology is perfectly Scottish and infinitely re-readable.
The Firebird: I discovered Susanna Kearsley around 10 years ago when The Firebird released and I promptly fell in love with her books. Kearsley typically writes romance novels with a contemporary and historical dual-timeline that uses elements of magical realism to tie the two stories together. My favorite of hers use Scotland or the Jacobite rebellion as the historical timeline. The Firebird, The Winter Sea and The Rose Garden are some of my absolute favorites. Bonus: Kearsley is releasing a new book soon. The King’s Messenger is already on my TBR.
The Bright Sword: Fun fact, I started reading this massive book just before we left for Scotland and chose to lug it around the whole vacation because I knew was long enough to keep me occupied on all our travels. And boy, did it ever. But even better was my discovery that part of the book was set on the Isle of Mull. The same land we toured (see photo below). The Bright Sword is a new take on the old King Arthur tale, this time asking what comes next after the shining hero Arthur dies? A very inventive book with some clever takes on the lesser known knights of the Round Table. Perhaps I’ll do a full review of it here?
Outlander: No list of Scottish books would be complete without Diana Gabaldon’s iconic tale of love and time travel during the Jacobite rebellion. I dare you to come up with an example of a literary love story that even comes close to what Claire and Jamie Frasier have. Fun fact, when Gabaldon first wrote Outlander in the 90s she had never been to Scotland. Now, nine books later you can’t visit Scotland without seeing Outlander merchandise in the gift shops. You know the book is incredible when a foreign country adopts it as their own.
What about you? Have you read the ones on this list? What are your favorite Scottish books? Have you been to Scotland? All I know is that I will, indeed, hasten back to Scotland - even if its only in books.
Loved Outlander and was lucky enough to visit Scotland in 2019. Would love to go back!
I was living vicariously through your Scotland photos on Instagram! It was so much fun to re-live my time there - it is one of my favorite places on earth. My father was the world's ultimate homebody, but he always said Scotland was the one place he'd be willing to travel to see. Sadly, he passed away before he ever got the chance. As a tribute to my dad (and his little West Highland Terrier, Fluffy), I bought a little stuffed Westie, named him Fluffy the Scott, and off we went on our Highland adventure! I wrote little episodes as we saw the Highlands through his eyes. Maybe one day, Fluffy's adventures will become a children's book. 🐾
But to answer the questions you asked (🫣), I've read the Outlander series, Firebird, and The Winter Sea. Haven't read Ann Cleeves' Shetland books, but love the TV series (worth it just for the scenery!). Seven Kinds of People You Find In Bookshops, Clanlands, & Warriors and Witches and Damn Rebel Bitches: Scottish Women to Live Your Life By are all on my shelf, sadly unread!