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Yes, that is a real napkin from the real Cawdor Castle in Nairn, Scotland, where I was only a week and two days ago. Sigh. I miss it already. Those of you who’ve been following my Facebook page know that Hubby and I went on a 12 day trip to Liverpool, Inverness, Edinburgh, and York to celebrate his 60th birthday. It was a blast. (Except for the part where Hubby drove a rental car in Inverness during the hour or so that the Olympics torch passed through it–we couldn’t get anywhere AND we were on the wrong side of the road!)
This was my first time in Scotland ever, so I was surprised to see how much the English are still wary of the Scots, especially the Highland ones, and vice-versa. There were little barbs here and there about each other. And Scotland had its own currency, which is accepted everywhere in Scotland, but not everywhere in England (apparently it’s not technically considered “legal tender”–I have no idea what that means, since the money was all usable in Scotland). In York Minster they spoke of having to defend against the Scots as if it were yesterday; in Edinburgh, they spoke of having to defend against the English. The conflict is all still there, just subsumed under two hundred years of the Union. I felt like I’d stepped back into history. Which just made everything even more cool!
So now I have to decide if I want to do another Scotland-set book. My problem is that if I do, it will probably be a book about a Scottish lady and an English second son. No kilted gentlemen. And readers seem to really like those kilted gentlemen.
What about you? Do you like Scottish books? Or do they only work for you if the hero is a Highlander wearing a kilt? Did you know that Scotland had its own currency of sorts? Have you ever visited Scotland? What was your favorite part?
77 Comments on “Will and Jane Visit Scotland”
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I am so envious of you! I have never been to Scotland, although my sister and I were preparing to go to Scotland and Ireland when we were given custody of her g-sons the first time. Bye-bye Scotland, maybe someday. Yes I did know Scotland has its own currency, a very dear friend married a Glaswegian a couple years ago and he gave the g-sons some Scottish money. I really want to see every nook and cranny in Scotland. Men in Kilts do it for me every time, don’t care what the time period is. Highland events are great for seeing many kilts.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 3:40 am.
What a shame that your trip fell through, although I’m sure you’re happy you could be there for your grandsons. I do hope you get there one day. I never thought we would, but it was wonderful. Next time I’d want to spend more time there. If I get the chance to go again, that is!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:39 am.
I sure love books about Scotland, Sabrina – and I also plan to visit Scotland one of the coming years (it has never come to that, because we always went to the USA or Canada while we were younger).
I see you also visited Liverpool – any tips? My sister and I will also be there in July, after having for visited London for the umptieth time and then the Isle of Man.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 5:12 am.
What kind of tips are you looking for? Are you going for the Beatles stuff? Because I can give you lots of tips on that (do NOT miss the Casbah Club tour–it’s a must see).
If you’re going to see historical stuff, I would recommend the Sudley House. They have a great costume exhibit going on, although I think it ends before you get there. But they have a cool set-up with videos in each room where the “owners” and “servants” tell you about the house.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:43 am.
I want to go but sadly the only way I will get there is via winning Gold Lotto. I do like books about Scottish men and women so please feel free to write away about these characters that your muse has given you.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 5:38 am.
Kelly, I consider myself very lucky to be able to travel now. With Nick, it was never a consideration. But he does so well now with his caregiver that we can do it in limited amounts.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:09 am.
That’s fantastic that Nick is doing well with his caregiver, but I bet that he is missing both you and your husband something fierce. I know that I would.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 4:56 pm.
Oh, he’s still living at home with us. He was just with our caregiver while we traveled (and in camp for five days). I think he did miss us, and I can certainly tell that he’s glad to have us back. But I don’t think it’s as crucial to him as it used to be. He seemed to really have fun at camp.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:42 pm.
Yay you! You had a great trip.
Yes, I’ve been to York, Inverness, E’boro and even Nairn. I did not do Cawdor- I was an uneducated tourist. My travel agent came to visit me in Nairn and sent me to Crathes Castle which had a beautiful garden on a beautiful day.
I carried £5 Scottish in my wallet as a souvenir for years. When I tried to spend them in London, I was told ” no” with mumbled rationale.
Scottish books, English books – they’re all good as long as the characters are well written and the plot is entertaining.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 6:47 am.
Fresh, isn’t Scotland wonderful? I do wish I’d kept some of the Scottish currency. I didn’t think to do it. We kept some of the English for the next time we go. *G*
And I don’t get the whole “we don’t take Scottish money.” Really? They take English money in Scotland. It’s so weird.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:17 am.
I’ve been told that they’re not allowed to say “no” but I hear it a lot.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 3:54 pm.
What a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday! Sounds like you and your hubby had a wonderful trip.
Hubby and I were planning a trip to England and Scotland for our 10th wedding anniversary, but along came baby number 2 and our plans changed. Now with our planning/saving we are hoping to get there for our 15th. So, I have 3 more years to wait.
I love books set in the Highlands. I don’t need the hero to be a Highlander, but I do love a rough kilted man weilding a big sword. So, maybe the Heroine could have a brother?
I am off to look up Cawdor Castle!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:03 am.
I hope you get there, Amy! It really is spectacular. I could have spent a month there, I swear. And the Scottish are very nice.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:00 pm.
I love the Scottish brogue so it doesn’t matter if he/she is a Highlander or Lowlander. I have Lowlander ancestry, so I’m partial to the Lowlander. I’ve never been to Scotland but would like to at least visit the Lowlands and Edinburgh. And I had no idea that Scotland used their own currency! I spent my elementary-age years in Mississippi where there was still a strong Confederacy sympathy and I still carry some of it myself these 50 plus years later. Sympathies are hard to let go of!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:37 am.
Cathy, yes, it’s true–you carry your loyalties long beyond when they’re practical anymore.
I like the Lowlands, too–both are cool to me!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:01 pm.
I have never been to Scotland but I really, really, really want to go. And to England as well.
Love Scottish historicals. Do it!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:38 am.
I would love to do a series there, but haven’t really had an idea for one.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:02 pm.
Wow, what a great trip! It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I have never been to Scotland, but maybe someday! I have friends from there, and I could listen to them talk all day. They tell some great stories that put me right in their homeland. So dreamy! I do like Scotish books, but no, kilts don’t need to be worn. Go for it, Sabrina!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:42 am.
The accent is great, isn’t it? I loved listening to it while I was there.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:02 pm.
Interesting…I never knew that Scotland has its own currency
I love reading about two worlds colliding – anda story about Scottish Lady and English Gentleman sound very interesting 
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:58 am.
That’s why it appeals to me, too. I’ve always enjoyed the clash of cultures.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:02 pm.
I’m a little off Scotland right now….there was a Scottish guy that worked with DH for a short time last fall that was the cause of many problems. While his accent is very unique in our area, he wasn’t all kilt-y and brawn. He actually did all he could to undermine DH’s job. But, DH came out just fine on the other side and has managed to find a new and better position. Since meeting this person, I haven’t read a Scottish romance. That said, I could see you writing a story about an enterprising young second or third son out to make his mark in the world. I think that would make an interesting story and I would read it.
Glad you had fun on your trip. DH and I just got back from a quick road trip–sans kids–and it was wonderful to be just the two of us.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:00 am.
You don’t realize how much you miss that together time until you have it, do you? We both really needed it.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:04 pm.
What a great trip. I went to Scotland many years ago and fell in love with the country. The best part for me was Edinburgh Castle. I’d love to go back, but DH is adamant he does not want to go overseas.
Any hero or heroine set in Scotland works for me. I love them all.
And thanks for Will and Jane. They always make me smile.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:02 am.
Glad to make you smile, Sue! Yes, Edinburgh Castle is amazing. I’m so glad I saw it. And I’m lucky that Hubby really enjoys visiting the British Isles. He’s already talking about where we can go next!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:05 pm.
I’m so glad you blogged about your trip! I expect every post from now until Labor Day to be about your trip, ‘k? I have to live vicariously through someone and you’re it.
I’ve been to Scotland, only briefly, and I loved it. My favorite memory is of sitting on a bench in the park at the base of Castle Mount, looking up at the castle, looking at the flowering park, looking up at the castle, looking at the butterflies on the flowers in the park, looking up at the castle . . . You get the idea. It was a lovely, quiet few minutes in a hectic day of sightseeing. Magical!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 9:02 am.
Oddly enough, we didn’t walk the Royal Mile. We only had one day, so we took a bus to the castle and then to the museum–that was all we could manage. But we did really enjoy both places we went that day, and we managed to see something the next morning (the Georgian House, which was very cool) before we took the train to York.
Yes, I suspect you’ll be seeing a lot of blogs about my trip. I have so much to tell! *G*
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:07 pm.
It’s all very strange – we all use the same currency, it’s just that Scottish notes look different then English/Welsh ones. Because we rarely (and I mean really rarely) see Scottish notes south of the border people don’t recognise them as real money (the legal tender).
We have a really complicated relationship with Scotland right now with the whole devolution issue, and the breaking of the Union. And none of us are very good at letting go of a grudge, English, Welsh or Scottish…
(And Ireland is a whooooooooole different complicated kettle of fish!)
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 9:08 am.
I could really tell that. There’s still a bit of Yankee/Southerner resentment going on in America, and the Civil War was a hundred and fifty years ago! So it’s not exclusive to y’all, by any means.
I did have some shopkeepers in York tell me that they did take Scottish currency, but since we’d been warned about it, we used all of ours up before we reached York.
I would still love to see Wales. And South England. And the Lake country. And … Yeah, can you tell it’s going to take me several visits to England to be satisfied? *G*
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:09 pm.
I’m absolutely pea green!!
It sounds like you had a fantastic time. I want to go to Scotland….and Ireland, Wales and England, as well. I love stories about all of those areas, too. I love hearing about the castles, the etiquette at the time, the dress, all of it. 
I have ancestry in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England, so I would really love to take a trip there and spend a month or so just traveling around. Likely won’t happen unless I hit the Lotto, just because I wouldn’t want to cut myself short and there are a LOT of things I would love to see so it would probably cost a fortune to take that kind of trip.
Glad you had a such a good time and I can’t wait to read whatever you have in store for us next!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 9:30 am.
I got lots of material from this trip, believe me!
I know for sure that I’m an eighth Irish. The rest, however, I don’t know. We need to do a genealogy, but I just don’t have time. I’m something of a mutt. Some Cajun, some German (just found out about that), some Irish … there’s a lot of different nationalities in my family.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:11 pm.
It sounds like you had an amazing time!
I actually did know about the currency, as Ireland has the same issues, or rather did before the euro.
I like books about Scotland and the differences between highlanders and lowlanders.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 9:33 am.
Pesky, I didn’t realize Ireland had the same issues, although it doesn’t surprise me. I didn’t really see anyone using the euro in England, though. Or Scotland, for that matter.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:12 pm.
I’m sure you had a wonderful time… We were in Scotland over 20 years ago… I don’t remember that the money was different.. but all of the money was different to us.. I’d love to go back… Men in kilts, you can’t go wrong there.. maybe stick that 2nd son into them just once… let his knees shine!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 9:37 am.
I am so envious of your trip. I wish I had been invited along as part of an entourage,LOL.
I wrote two Scottish books. One a medieval, set on the border, so not highland. One with a highland heroine and very Anglocized low land hero. My biggest problem was deciding how much of what I call “Scots speak” to use. I found some work arounds, but I’ll probably avoid writing another Scottish set book just to avoid that issue.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:02 am.
I don’t think readers like too much of it anyway. It’s hard to get through. The book I’m thinking about would have a very highly Anglicized Scottish heroine and a rather rough Englishman. So I can probably avoid the issue. I hope!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:14 pm.
Making everyone happy is simple: give the heroine 12 rude cousins who all wear kilts, and make the Hero allergic to wool so he can’t wear it against his skin. Brava!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 1:30 pm.
So glad you had an amazing trip. Once again Will and Jane are wonderful. I’ve made it as far as London, but never north of that. Would love to go again and tour all the castles England, Scotland and Ireland have to offer. Love books about Scotland, and no, they don’t need to involve kilts.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:37 am.
Our last trip (first one together; I went once when I was 12) was spent entirely in London. We really enjoyed it, but I think he liked this better. The traffic in London drove him nuts! *G*
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:46 pm.
ooooo, your trip looked WONDERFUL! I have never been, but it’s on my bucket list.
I think you’d write a great Scotish novel. Not going to lie–I usually prefer my heros to be Scot, but it would be kind of refreshing to change up the plot a bit, and throw and Englishman under the bus. Go Sabrina!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:41 am.
Thanks, Haley! Yes, I think a lot of women go for those Scottish guys. Which I totally understand! It’s just that my new series doesn’t have any Scots in it. *G*
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:46 pm.
I HAVE been to Scotland and loved it. I have so many beautiful memories from that trip – a drive around Loch Ness with a hike to the rather hidden Foyer’s Falls on the far side, a lovely festival in Aberdeen with wonderful food and an opera singing cheese monger, pub hopping in Edinburgh and touring the closes. I loved it. I want to go back and explore more. I think I could wander up and down High Street in Edinburgh for weeks and just enjoy looking at all the buildings and the two castles.
I am fine with a non-kilted hero in a Scottish book. I think the magic of the country would prevail.
Welcome back and I am so glad you both had a lovely time.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:55 am.
I’m with you–I could have spent weeks in Edinburgh. It’s such a pretty city. I really am a city girl at heart, but I also crave the country, if that makes sense. So seeing the Highlands was a great joy for me. I wish I could have spent a lot more time in Scotland, but at the same time I don’t regret the two days we spent in York. It’s so very English!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:48 pm.
Yes I’ve been to Scotland.. only recently, though. I surprised my husband with a trip to Edinburgh and London about a month ago. We were in Edinburgh for 4 days & nights and in London for 4 days and 3 nights. I liked the architecture and scenery in London, but I liked Edinburgh better. I don’t know why; it was just how I felt when I was there… anyway, yes, one day I got a bill back that wasn’t a pound note. I was so confused! It said “Bank of Scotland” on it.
I like Scottish books, but most of my ‘collection’ takes place in London (or its outskirts). Not to say that I wouldn’t buy a book that takes place there, because I would. I have bought all of Karen Hawkins’ books, and I love them. And one of my favourite books of yours is Beware a Scots’ Revenge. I’m sure that no matter how you write it or where it takes place your readers will adore it.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:03 am.
Aw, thanks, Cheri! I like Karen’s Scottish books, too.
I’m with you–London is wonderful, but Edinburgh was magnificent. So very beautiful.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:49 pm.
I have been to Scotland and I didn’t like it…I LOVE IT”…OF course I am a wee bit bias, as my mother’s family imigrated from Scotland, so it’s part of my heritage. And I love books that are taking place in any part of Scotland… Glad you had a good time and what a great present for your husbands 60th.. Something he will always remember.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:06 am.
It truly was the perfect trip.
It’s amazing just how many people have emigrated from Scotland. The Museum of Scotland had a little video about Scottish emigration, and they said there were 26 to 40 million people in the world who claim Scottish descent. Six to eight million actually live in Scotland. I found that very interesting.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:54 pm.
It’s not about the kilt for me… it’s about the brogue, and the gruff masculinity of a Scotsman. But I also adore English second sons.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:10 am.
Me, too, Susan!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:54 pm.
I’m so jealous, Sabrina!! I’ve never been to the northern part of the UK. I did stick one foot in Wales, and I want to go to Ireland, too. Sigh.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:10 pm.
I’d like to visit both Ireland and Wales myself. We should plan a Goddesses trip! *G*
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:55 pm.
I love Wales.. I definitely think a Goddess trip would be awesome
(assuming I can tag along, of course. heh)
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 2:53 pm.
Book it. I’m in.,
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:00 pm.
I’m 1/4 Welsh, but I’ve never been there. My Grandpa was born and raised there… apparently when he was 8 years old he was forced to work in a coal mine. He worked there until he was 19 and he moved to Canada. He met my Granny along the way (who was from Sweden), and they settled and had kids here in Canada.
I’ve always wanted to go to Wales and see a little of my heritage… Apparently I’m part of the Lewis clan.
My husband is part of Clan Kennedy in Scotland, too. We got his tartan while we were there.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:57 pm.
I’ve never been, but visiting is something that’s on the schedule for either next year or the following year. I did know about Scotland having their own currency as well as their own Parliament, and that there’s a movement to dissolve the 300 year old union. I, also, know that Scotland has the highest percentage of redheads in the world with the highest percentages being found in known Viking settlements. Because of my red hair people always ask if I’m Irish – and I do have a third ggrandfather who’s Irish, but I’ve much more Scottish blood in me.
I love stories that take place in Scotland. It doesn’t matter if the hero is kilted or not.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 1:15 pm.
I knew about the movement to dissolve the union. It was funny–I was in Liverpool and I said something about Scotland as if it were a foreign country, and then caught myself and said, “Oh, yes, I guess they ARE part of Great Britain,” the guy answered, with a very dry tone, “Yes, they haven’t gained their independence YET.” It really cracked me up how the English have this love-hate relationship with the Scots.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 2:29 pm.
We were in Edinburgh a few years ago, during the last World Cup tournament. A shirt we saw frequently told us all we needed to know about Scotland’s love for their neighbor to the south. It said “Anyone but England.”
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 1:42 pm.
Oh, yeah!!! That was another thing. I read an article by a Scot in England who was saying that most Scots back whatever team is fighting the English!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 2:29 pm.
The British Isles are on my bucket list and I am envious that you were there. However, its great that you had a wonderful time.
As for the book, I would read anything of yours so write on, McDuff, and let your Muse fly free!!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 2:22 pm.
LOL, ladydawgfan! And thanks for the vote of confidence!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 2:34 pm.
My sister is there right now. Today she finished touring the Isle of Skye, and tomorrow she’ll be going down to the Isle of Mull. She is with her husband and kids this time, but in a few years she and I will go by ourselves as a 50th birthday present to ourselves. I had hoped she’d have a chance to see what was worth seeing and what we could skip when she went back, but so far there hasn’t been anything I don’t want to see! She spent 1 1/2 hours on Culloden Moor and said it wasn’t long enough. She loved Cawdor Castle! She also go to go up to the Orkneys and see Skara Brae, which is soooo cool.
I love books about Scotland, or Scots heroines or heroes. Your hero doesn’t need to wear a kilt, but I like the suggestion above about the heroine having a brother! Will she be Lowlands or Highlands Scot?
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 2:47 pm.
Gretchen, I haven’t thought that far ahead yet. *G* I really wish I’d had the chance to go to the Isle of Skye and some of the other islands. I swear, I could spend months in Scotland and England.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 6:53 pm.
I think my ideal vacation would be at least 3 months! Or maybe 6. I might need to spend a whole year there… LOL
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:16 am.
I was in Aberdeen the same week. My hubby was a torch bearer lol
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 3:45 pm.
I will be living in Scotland for at least the next year. I like highlander books, but I prefer regencies.
Did you know that most places outside of Scotland won’t accept their currency… including some shops in England!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 3:47 pm.
I know! I thought that was weird.
Your husband was a torch bearer?? We were in Inverness when the torch came through, but we couldn’t actually see it–we were stuck in the traffic surrounding it!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 6:54 pm.
Yes! We have the torch at home to prove it
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:45 am.
I devour Scottish books. It’s my favorite romance setting. I don’t care what period as long as it has a leading scottish character. A brawny kilt wearing, claymore wielding, brogue speaking hero doesn’t hurt
! And no I’ve never been to Scotland, sigh…but I live in the Pacific Northwest which I hear is a warmer, and somewhat dryer alternative, lol.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 4:52 pm.
That’s probably true! My theory is that so many people emigrated to the Appalachian Mts and to Canada because the terrain is similar.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 6:56 pm.
Oh, you KNOW I love Scotland as a setting … and I would adore it if you wrote one set there. As for kilted — well, it’s NICE, of course, but not NECESSARY.
I do love those brogues, though. Mmmmmm!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:29 pm.
Me, too! And I didn’t find them as hard to understand as I expected, either.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:40 pm.
Totally agree with Karen H, I like all Scots men. Kilts not necessary.
Wish I had the opportunity to visit Scotland. Glad you had a good time.
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:21 pm.
I could have spent weeks there, I swear.
Yes, those Scots are definitely sexy!
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:39 pm.
What a great trip! I’ve been fortunate to visit Scotland in 2009. We visited the villages my McCallum ancestors came from, Kilmartin and Kilmichael. The area was beautiful, like a fairy tale. I saw the churches where my gr gr grandparents were married and baptized their first children, and the house they lived in before emigrating in 1853. I stood in awe on the shore of the Port of Tears, where they likely boarded ship, thinking of my gr gr grandmother Jane facing the journey with four children, one a baby in arms, the eldest only 4. For me, it was a trip of a lifetime.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:48 am.
One day, I swear I’m going to do a story about Scottish emigrants. It’s something that really fascinates me. How cool that you got to go back to those places!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:39 pm.
A Scotish book would be great, with or without kilts. It doesn’t matter to me. I love to read whatever yu write.
Thanks for writing books.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:51 pm.
Aw, Wendy, thanks for reading them!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:40 pm.