Bloggy McBlogface #1 – Edinburgh
Posted by Lizzie Lamb
My books had been working so hard to sell and promote themselves that I felt they needed a holiday. Where to go? Why – Bonnie Scotland – where else? After upgrading our caravan to one with a fixed bed, we set off for in June to tour Scotland, writing and finding inspiration for my next novel(s). Here are some interior shots of caravan #3 – no more making and unmaking the bed every morning before we could have breakfast.
Did I mention that the parrot came, too? Here he is, surveying his wide domain (thru the rain) and telling anyone who walked past us that they SHOULDN’T COME TOO CLOSE – this is Jasper’s house.
First stop – Auld Reekie – Edinburgh
We camped at Davidson’s Mains just outside Edinburgh and took the shuttle bus into Auld Reekie. I wanted to take a literary /historical tour of the city and notable writers and characters associated with it – Walter Scott, Ian Rankin, JK Rowling, Grey Friar’s Bobby . Sadly, the Elephant House was too busy and we couldn’t get in or add to the graffiti in the toilets (permitted) – next time maybe.
An Edinburgh ‘Close’ just off the Royal Mile – couldn’t you just imagine Inspector Rebus looking for clues to a murder in its narrow confines?
We spent quite some time exploring Greyfriars churchyard and stood on the spot where the Covenant was signed in 1638 as a protest against the rule of bishops. It’s a part of history which has largely been forgotten, however, you could easily spend half a morning looking round the church and the exhibition and absorbing the incredible atmosphere.
Next, we walked the Royal Mile to a Clarinda’s Tearooms, (bit of a theme developing here!) a cafe recommended by Facebook friends/readers. Clarinda is buried in the nearby Canon Gate cemetery and is alleged to be the lover referred to in Burns’ Aye Fond Kiss.
One of the next sites we visited (oh, our aching feet) was the Mercat Cross on the Royal Mile. It is said that while the artillery was being prepared before the Battle of Flodden (1513), a demon called Plotcock read out the names of those who would be killed. Edinburgh is such an ancient city, it’s hard NOT to believe such stories when you’re there.
And finally – what of my books? Well, lovely author friend Helen Barrell (check out her debut novel via this link) went to Edinburgh earlier this year and took a copy of Tall, Dark and Kilted with her. Here are some of HER pics. If you’ve enjoyed following my adventures (with novels and parrot) watch out for Bloggy McBlogface #2 when I tell you all about touring the Royal Yacht Britannia and our visit to Rosslyn Chapel (the Da Vinci Code).
About Lizzie Lamb
I write contemporary women's fiction mostly based in Scotland with hot heroes, feisty heroines and always a happy ending. Along with three other authors - Adrienne Vaughan, June Kearns and Margaret Cullingford - I formed the New Romantics Press under which our books are published. I have published seven novels since 2012, the latest being Dark Highland Skies. I am currently working on #8 which I hope to publish in 2024. In the meantime, do check out my Amazon page: viewAuthor.at/LizzieLamb and click 'FOLLOW' to keep up to date with my news.Posted on July 23, 2016, in Lizzie's Scribbles and tagged author, Covenanters, Edinburgh, Greyfriars Bobby, Helen Barrell, Ian Rankin, JK Rowling, Lizzie Lamb, parrot, research, Road Trip 2016, romance, Scotch on the Rocks, Scotland, Tall Dark and Kilted. Bookmark the permalink. 26 Comments.
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Reblogged this on New Romantics Press and commented:
This is the first of a series of blog posts I am writing about Scottish Road Trip 2016.
This post is all about EDINBURGH – and its historical and literary connections. I hope you enjoy and will stick with me for the rest of the ‘series’.
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Oh thank you for the lovely post, it’s like I’ve been travelling to Edinburgh with you!
Lovely photo of you and Bong Man in Greyfriars!
🙂 xx
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Isabella, you would love it there and you already understand the lingo, hen.
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Ah cannae speak very well, but I’m working on it 😉 xx
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Sounds guid tae me, hen ✌🏻️
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Super post, Lizzie.
I can see where you get all your inspiration!
Looking forward to no. 4!!
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Thanks June, I may have to bore you to death very shortly with a ‘film show’. I am totally inspired by Scotland – even with rain and midges.
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Great blog Lizzie. Looking forward to hearing more about your Scottish travels.
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KIt’s been a busy June for both of us, but I think you win hands down for going the farthest.
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Glad you enjoyed your visit to my city, Lizzie! You should have given me a shout. Next time? 🙂
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Defers. We’ll be back next year, all being well . You probably don’t know, I was born in Wishaw 😀
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Fab post, Lizzie. Rave & I are hoping to go to Edinburgh for two or three days in October and seeing your photos and reading your descriptions has made me want to go even more. So pleased you had a great trip 🙂 Xx
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Jan, you’ll love it. I can give you a few tips of where to go and what to see if time is limited.We wanted to have lunch at The Witchery near the castle, but time ran out.
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Ah you’re making me home sick.for my old home!!
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Oh, sorry, Marje <3. I hope you will read my other blogs as they appear.
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I’ll try Lizzie. Time is a bit of an issue at the moment as I’m job hunting, doing my final edits of my WIP, etc, etc, …. There are just never enough hours in the day.
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De troof, dat 😩
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Thank you for a glimpse of a wonderful city.it brings back many happy memories, I know what Marje means.
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Tea in Jenners a must, too xx
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Although not my home town I am very familiar with Edinburgh – I live just across the bridge in the ancient kingdom of Fife and visit our capital city regularly. My wife and I will be on a similar road trip around Scotland later this year – maybe I’ll write about it!
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I would, Bill. I know Fife really well, especially Falkland (Outlander Country) and the best fish n chips in the world !!
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Falkland is just a hop, skip and a jump from my home! Whenever we feel the need for a dose of Scottish history that’s our preferred local destination.
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Wonderful blogpost, Lizzie. I worked in Edinburgh for many years and am ashamed to admit I still haven’t visited all the amazing places mentioned in your blogpost! Looking forward to reading of your other Scottish adventures. Rae xxx
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Thanks Rae, one of the highlights was meeting up with you in Banchory. That will feature in one of the blogs 😊
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Your travelogues are brilliant Lizzie! And your photography is amazing, such an eye for detail. Always want to go wherever you have been!
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I don’t think the world is ready for us to go on a break again – remember Bedford. Haha
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