Bloggy McBlogface #3 – Culloden
This summer I spent a month touring Scotland, getting the vibe for my fourth novel which I am currently 87% of the way through. It was a fabulous holiday and I was able to touch base with friends, en route. The weather behaved itself while we were in Inverness and so, feeling ‘gallus’, we erected the awning and put out our sunloungers.
On this stretch of our road trip we planned to visit Culloden, Loch Ness and Castle Urquhart. I’m a great fan of Outlander and DK Broster’s Jacobite Trilogy. And, IMO the Broster novels give a more balanced view of the conflict and there’s less of the #highlandersgood/ #Englishbad subtext found in the Outlander novels. After all, many clans fought on the side of the English at Culloden and had no wish to see the Stuarts back on the throne. For them, the battle provided an opportunity to settle old scores. The downside of the Highland Trilogy is, no Jamie Fraser!
(click over each image to read the caption/copyright details)
If you’ve never visited Culloden, here’s a video to give you a sense of the place. The battle site has a haunting and mournful quality and it’s sad to reflect that, after Culloden, the clan system disintegrated and wearing tartan was punishable by seven years hard labour in the colonies. George IV) visited Edinburgh in 1822, and everything “Scottish” became acceptable once more, a tradition continued by Victoria and Albert who bought Balmoral as their highland retreat.
Sadly, by then many of the tartans had been forgotten and those which we see today are a recent reinvention.
(Above- a fragment of Thomas Fraser of Struy’s plaid said to have been worn at Culloden in 1746) image –
http://www.scottishtartans.co.uk
Next, we visited the Prisoner’s Stone where seventeen highlanders were taken out and shot, after the battle. Legend has it that one survived and lived to tell the tale. If you do not feel the weight of history pressing down on you when you visit the site, you have no soul. It’s hard not to stand there and weep for those on both sides who lost their lives.
I found it very poignant that clans from the same highland region fought side by side at Culloden – the Stewarts of Appin and the Camerons of Lochiel, for example. In my mind, this was an echo of WWI when adjoining villages joined the Pals’ Regiments and marched off to war together. (click over each image for further details)
Of course, Outlander – the books and the TV series have helped to reignite visitors’ passion for this beautiful part of Scotland. While we were there, many Americans were visiting the site, anxious to find the cairn erected to Clan Fraser and to lay flowers there. I still don’t understand why the Outlander series hasn’t been shown on UK television and why so few of my (UK) friends have heard about it. Here’s a link to my OUTLANDER pinterest board . . .
It’s interesting to reflect how differently things could have turned out had Bonnie Prince Charlie pressed on to London instead of turning round and heading back up north after reaching Derby – just miles from where I live in Leicester.
On a more personal note, one highlight of our trip was finding ourselves camped right next door to Facebook friend Sharyn Farnaby. Here she is with a copy of Tall, Dark which I gave to her to thank her for reading and reviewing my novels.
I have been inspired by the Battle of Glenshiel (1719) to write my next #contemporary Scottish romance which I hope to publish in March 2017. It contains history, a lost treasure, a gorgeous hero (Keir) and a heroine fighting to regain her reputation after an unfortunate incident at university, (Henriette).
In the meantime, here is my current selection of novels. Something to help you cope with the long, dreary winter days, perhaps? See you soon when I’ll be writing about visiting Balmoral and Royal Deeside and meeting up with another friend.
Posted on October 25, 2016, in Lizzie's Scribbles and tagged #amwriting, blogging, Bonnie Prince Char;ie, Culloden, D.K. Broster, inspiration, OUtlander, research, road trip, tartan, The Flight of the Heron. Bookmark the permalink. 27 Comments.
Thank you for sharing, Lizzie!
Can’t wait to read number four, and getting to know Keir and Henriette 🙂
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Thank you Isabella. On 90,000 words now. Not long to wait !!
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Great post, Lizzie. I love Outlander and bought the first series on DVD from Amazon. Eagerly awaiting the second!
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Thank you, Cathy. I’ve watched all of the series (on Amazon Prime). You’ve got a treat in store – believe me. I should write a blog about all the Outlander sites I’ve visited . . .
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Oh, yes! Good idea 🙂
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I love your Scotland blog posts, Lizzie. So entertaining & informative. So looking forward to Book #4. I know it’ll be another gem of a read from you 🙂 Xx
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Thanks Jan, loved your recent pics of Edinburgh, too. Cracking on with #4, I so hope you enjoy itg when it’s published ☺
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Oh my – I’m in a blog! It was lovely to spend some time with you and yours near Culloden. Such an atmospheric and moving place.
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Sharyn, you’re famous. It was great ‘bumping’ into you on that campsite. We hope to return next year and see dolphins this time.
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Lovely post, Lizzie. You always bring the history and scenery so vividly to life. (Nice to see a pic of Sharyn, too!)
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Yes, it is, Alas – no 🐬!!
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Reblogged this on New Romantics Press.
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Thanks for reblogging, June ✅
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Great post. Thank you. Anxiously awaiting your 4th! Linda
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Aw, thanks Linda 💝
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A truly wonderful blog, Lizzie. I enjoyed every word.Thank you so much. Slainte, Harry x
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Thank you Harry. Slainte Mhath 😉
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Fabulous blog, Lizzie, was with you every step of the way and the historic details flows so effortlessly, a delight to read. (Passion in every pore!) X
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Thanks Ade. There was so much I left out. Less = more 😊
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Great read Lizzie. Your make Scottish history come to life. Looking forward to your next book. X
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Thanks Joan. I’m getting very excited about getting to the end myself. And, of course, in another life I would loved to have lectured in history . . .
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Loved the blog. I really must see Highlander. You and it seem to be closely linked. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to the next book.
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Thanks Maggie, I think you might enjoy OUTLANDER as it features Falkland, Fife in the opening scenes.
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Oops! I was so focused on the Highlands——— Well you know how daft I am!
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No comment! But I knew what you meant 😊
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So interesting and informative. A wonderful blog post, Lizzie 🙂
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Thanks for popping by, commenting and sharing Judy 🤓
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