Ailish Sinclair's Blog, page 25
July 3, 2023
Tarlair and the Halcyon Days of Summer
Tarlair nowI recently explored Tarlair Art Deco open air swimming pool with my husband and children. Despite having fallen into serious disrepair over the years, it retains a certain beauty, and is evocative – for me anyway – of times past.
Tarlair in memoryIt was the scene of many halcyon days one summer. I was fifteen, and due to head off to dance school in London that September. I recall lying on the grass in the sun, messing around in the boating pool, buying sweets from the shop and chatting with friends. The hazy, golden hue of these bright points in memory is augmented by the nature of other events from that time.
A Dark SummerThat same summer, there was a face off with an old school bully. There was an abusive incident with a particularly disgusting family member. He was much respected, and I didn’t think I would be believed, so I didn’t tell anyone what had happened. An older boy grabbed me on a bus and kissed and bit my neck. Actually that last event is not a dark memory. Non-consensual and unexpected as it was, I found it rather exciting at the time.
There were other daily disappointments, but it can be bitter to dwell too deeply. Some things are over when they’re finally over, and they are now.
NostalgiaBut Tarlair remains bright, both as it is now, and as it appears in my nostalgic image of the past. Four girls on the brink of being women laughed together and talked of their hopes for the future. We swam in the water of the North Sea with all our clothes on, and got changed in the only one of our homes that was free from adult disapproval. We ate chocolate in an abandoned campervan. White Russians were enjoyed in a local nightclub where no one questioned our age; hangovers were revelled in the next day by the pool.
None of our lives turned out quite how we envisaged. We trailed away from those teenage maps we drew for ourselves that summer. We’ve all tasted despair but known great joy too. Maybe we couldn’t have had one without the other.
RestorationTarlair is being restored. I look forward to making new memories there soon.
Friends of Tarlair Facebook Page
Restoration of iconic Tarlair Pool from the Press and Journal
Below: looking out to the wider ocean through the Needle’s Eye, a rock formation beside Tarlair.
My Books, set mostly in AberdeenshireThe latest novel, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD, features Romans, Celts, romance, a neurodivergent main character and the Battle of Mons Graupius.
“Ethereal and spellbinding….” Historical Novel Society
See the article Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book from Grampian Online.
More titles
Set in an Aberdeenshire castle, THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR features the Scottish witchcraft accusations, a handsome Laird, an ancient stone circle and a love story.
FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE was inspired by the 18th century kidnapped children of Aberdeen and is set in both Scotland and Colonial Pennsylvania.
Paperbacks and kindle: Amazon UK or Amazon Worldwide
“Filled with excitement and suspense…” Historical Novel Society
See my About Page here
NewsletterGo here to sign up for my (roughly monthly) newsletter. It’s a more intimate space than the blog and always includes some exclusive photos. If you would rather just hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
Writer’s Tip JarThe post Tarlair and the Halcyon Days of Summer appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
June 29, 2023
Loch Morlich: big blog, little blog
Beautiful Loch Morlich, Cairngorms beyond, still with patches of snow in June.
Little Blog Written by Loch MorlichThis blog was originally sent from holiday in June 2019. I was completely depleted by my autoimmune conditions, at that point undiagnosed, and spent most of the holiday lying in bed reading books.
Honesty in WritingIt seems strange, looking back on it now, that I tried to keep my health problems a secret. Only happy pictures got posted on socials, such as ones of Aviemore Stone Circle and Reindeer in the Cairngorms. The gargantuan effort it took to get to these places, or how I hardly left the car, did not get mentioned.
I didn’t want it to be true. I wanted to ‘snap out of it’. Because I didn’t want that to be the way of me.
I still don’t, of course, and it is generally better now, flare ups aside. I guess I’m becoming more open and accepting of the situation, and I like to write honestly everywhere, not just in my books.
Big BlogFrom bed I shared the news of my guest post on the official tourism site for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire: 10 Mystical and Magical Places in Aberdeenshire. Below is Pitsligo Castle, one of the sites featured in that post.
Ducks by Loch MorlichOn the pictured morning I walked very slowly from the car to the loch, and it was wonderful to be out among such beauty. I was on the banks of Loch Morlich before the ducks were up! And probably back in bed before they were too…
My Latest Historical Novel
Set in 1st century Scotland, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance.
“Ethereal and spellbinding….” Historical Novel Society
See the press release here
Read the article Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book from Grampian Online.
About Page
See my About Page here
NewsletterGo here to sign up for my occasional emails that always include some exclusive photos and news of my writing and life. If you would rather just hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
Writer’s Tip JarThe post Loch Morlich: big blog, little blog appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
June 23, 2023
The Glass Floor of Provost Skene’s House
Provost Skene’s House nestles between the new buildings and giant plant pots of Aberdeen.
It’s been a long time since I’ve visited the 16th century townhouse. In fact, it’s been a very long time since I’ve been in the city centre. In recent years trips to Aberdeen have been illness or hospital related.
There have been a few changes.
Marischal CollegeThe fountains in front of Marischal College are new:
My father worked in the building when I was a child, and there were regular family trips to the Anthropological Museum there. This was later called the Marischal Museum, and is no longer open to the public. You can, however, browse online exhibitions.
Provost Skene’s House
Provost Skene’s House doorHistoryDating from 1545, the house has been lived in by a variety of people over the centuries. Provost Skene owned it in the 17th century, and Hanoverian troops used it during the Jacobite rebellion of 1745. The Duke of Cumberland stayed there on his way to Culloden. It’s been a museum since 1953. See a more thorough history of the house here.
MuseumThe museum used to be set up with rooms furnished in different eras: Edwardian bedrooms and Victorian sitting rooms, that sort of thing. It now houses an exhibition of noteworthy people from Aberdeen, and many of the displays are digitised. I rather miss the harpsichords and harps of the previous arrangement.
The Glass FloorThe glass floor in the cellar is still there, and I’m glad about that. The room was previously a coffee shop, and walking over the floor was a highlight for me. I may not have been frightened when locked in a witch’s hoosie, but this floor scared me in an exhilarating sort of way.
I put the scary floor into the castle of my books. The quote below is from Fouetté, the third and final title of the forthcoming series, A Dancer’s Journey, and it describes how the glass used to look in Provost Skene’s House.
Eerie green light still shone up from below the glass, showcasing the museum pieces in the floor: barrels, bottles, various metal implements, a cauldron. The glass had been replaced, of course, and part of it given proper hinges, not like back then when…
I had to cut the quote short there, because: spoilers. The floor is no longer lit up.
The Painted GalleryThe highlight of the house for me now is the Painted Gallery. It has not changed, apart from the removal of the Mouseman benches.
Like the Wine Tower in Fraserburgh, this is a place that may have been used as a post-Reformation Catholic chapel.
The ceiling depicts the life of Christ. Below is the Entombment, with a kilted gentleman standing to the right.
Something else that has not changed is the smell of Provost Skene’s House. It’s quite strong and distinctive. I think it might be some sort of speciality wood preserver or furniture polish.
I walk across the flagstone floor of Provost Skene’s.
And then stroll between the old and the new.
I prefer the old.
Let’s finish with an angry man. He was originally situated on the wall of a 19th century bakery in the city. It was shut down due to its close proximity to a sewer; the owner blamed his neighbours for this, and pointed his angry face at them. He now glares at everyone as they walk past Provost Skene’s House.
SISTERS is still on sale!The kindle version of SISTERS is on sale in the UK and USA at 99p/99c.
Set in 1st century Scotland, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance…
“Ethereal and spellbinding…” Historical Novel Society
Read the article Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book from Grampian Online.
About Page
See my About Page here
NewsletterGo here to sign up for my occasional emails that always include some exclusive photos and news of my writing and life. If you would rather just hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
Writer’s Tip JarThe post The Glass Floor of Provost Skene’s House appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
June 20, 2023
The Ancient Sound of the Carnyx at Midsummer
A misty Midsummer morning.It’s Midsummer, and I’m in celebratory mode and sounding my (imaginary) carnyx, a wind instrument of the Iron Age Celts.
Writing UpdateAll major edits have been completed on all three books of A Dancer’s Journey. There’s still a couple of smaller edits and proofing to be done, but great progress has been made. I’m not announcing publication dates just yet, in case autoimmunity causes delays, but I am delighted to have come so far with what is really rather a personal magnum opus!
Sound of the CarnyxIn the video below, a musician plays a reconstruction of the Deskford Carnyx. The original was discovered in this area of Scotland and dates from the time of my Iron Age novel, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD.
SISTERSSet in 1st century Scotland, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance…
Midsummer, or High Summer, is important to the people of the book. There’s dancing, singing, storytelling and other, naughtier, activities in the stone circle. There’s also feasting and fighting, and the sound of a newly constructed carnyx.
“Ethereal and spellbinding…” Historical Novel Society
Read the article Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book from Grampian Online.
About Page
See my About Page here
NewsletterGo here to sign up for my occasional emails that always include some exclusive photos and news of my writing and life. If you would rather just hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
Writer’s Tip JarThe post The Ancient Sound of the Carnyx at Midsummer appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
A Midsummer Sale and a Carnyx
It’s Midsummer, and I’m in celebratory mode and sounding my (imaginary) carnyx. All major edits have been completed on all three books of A Dancer’s Journey. There’s still a couple of smaller edits and proofing to be done, but great progress has been made. I’m not announcing publication dates yet, just in case of illness… but they will appear in due course.
Midsummer SaleThe kindle version of SISTERS is on sale for a week in the UK and USA at 99p/99c.
Midsummer, or High Summer, is important to the people of the book. There’s dancing, singing, storytelling and other, naughtier, activities in the stone circle. There’s also feasting and fighting, and the sound of a newly constructed carnyx, a wind instrument of the Iron Age Celts.
Sound of the CarnyxIn the video below, a musician plays a reconstruction of the Deskford Carnyx, an instrument that was discovered in this area of Scotland and dates from the time of SISTERS.
The BookSet in 1st century Scotland, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance…
“Ethereal and spellbinding…” Historical Novel Society
Read the article Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book from Grampian Online.
Some Midsummer Beauty
Ox-Eye Daisy
A misty morning.
Rhododendrons
See my About Page here
NewsletterGo here to sign up for my occasional emails that always include some exclusive photos and news of my writing and life. If you would rather just hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
Writer’s Tip JarThe post A Midsummer Sale and a Carnyx appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
June 17, 2023
Summer Solstice at Aviemore Stone Circle
Aviemore Stone Circle is unusual, though not unique, in that it is situated in the middle of a housing estate.
On the day I visited – Summer Solstice 2019 – roses were blooming at the edge of the circle, adding to the magical atmosphere of the place. The houses don’t detract from that, bushes and trees lending some privacy to the ancient stones.
Solstice SunThe sun was newly risen and bright; patches of ground seemed almost luminescent. There’s often a special light quality at stone circles, whether they’re in an open urban setting like this, or tucked away within dark forests. Maybe the mind just tends toward mysticism among these mysterious old standing stones.
People had left mementos or offerings in the Rowan tree, perhaps treating the site like a clootie well?
Clouds gathered overhead as I left the circle, on my way to an utterly amazing breakfast just round the corner at the Mountain Cafe (no longer there, sadly).
If you liked this post on Aviemore Stone Circle, you might also like:Turn Left for Tyrebagger Stone CircleAikey Brae: the North Wind Doth BlowThe Ancient and Strange Lang Stane of AberdeenThere’s a stone circle in all my books:
Set in 1st century Scotland, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance!
“Ethereal and spellbinding…” Historical Novel Society
See the press release here
Read the article Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book from Grampian Online.
Taking place mainly in a castle, THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR blends an often overlooked period of history, the Scottish witchcraft accusations, in particular the 1597 Aberdeen witchcraft panic, with a love story.
See the press release here
From the Press and Journal: New book by Fraserburgh author highlights horrific extent of witch trials in Scotland
FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE was inspired by the kidnapped children and young people of Aberdeen. The story follows the adventures of Elizabeth Manteith from the castle and her determined efforts to get back home. There’s love. There’s derring-dos on the high seas… And there’s chocolate!
See the publisher’s Press Release here
“Filled with excitement and suspense…” Historical Novel Society Editor’s Pick
See my About Page here
NewsletterGo here to sign up for my occasional emails that always include some exclusive photos and news of my writing and life. If you would rather just hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
Writer’s Tip JarThe post Summer Solstice at Aviemore Stone Circle appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
June 11, 2023
Simple Things, a Pictorial Post
A walk on the beachThis is a post of simple things that make me happy. Recently, I’ve been sharing little bits of my life that relate to the forthcoming series, A Dancer’s Journey. Writing the last post of that type brought me out in a cold sweat. Literally. So today, it’s just happy, shiny things!
First up is a walk on the beach. Illness often prevents such activities, so I really appreciate them when they’re possible, and they are just now.
Next: flowers.
Pink Purslane in the woods
A tall and pollen-heavy Peony
apple blossomThe last of the simple things is a newly tidied drawer. Actually still a messy drawer under the shoes. But I can get to my shoes easily. And I can dance.
Ballet shoes My Latest Novel
When Morragh speaks to another person for the very first time, she has no idea that he is an invader in her land…
forbidden romancechosen sistersfierce warriorsneurodivergent main characterRead the article Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book from Grampian Online.
NewsletterGo here to sign up for my occasional emails that always include exclusive photos and news of my writing and life. They’re a more intimate space than the blog. If you would rather just hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
About Page
Read all about little old me here
Writer’s Tip JarThe post Simple Things, a Pictorial Post appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
June 9, 2023
Just a wee description of a castle rooftop…
Photo taken at Castle FraserA castle rooftop from the forthcoming contemporary series, A Dancer’s Journey:
“The gable of the great hall rose high to the front, a huge chimney boasted diminutive battlements, and other lower layers of pink castle sprawled out haphazardly in front of me. There were three small turrets, upended cones that had been meticulously finished round and round with ever smaller and smaller lichen dotted tiles. Tiny mismatched windows blinked in the sun: circles, squares and one narrow bent rectangle. Sections of roof ended randomly, some with mossy little steps to nowhere; one jutting brick triangle had been shaped to fit the side of a sloping turret.”
Excerpt from TENDU by Ailish Sinclair
And that really is all today. Because: busy editing. Been sucked in to the manuscript and am finding it hard to leave.
More on the seriesWorking Girl: a WordPress Prompt Goes DarkPointe Work and a Red LeotardChosen Sisters: Friendship and DanceA Snaggled, Barbourous PlaceDiabolical and Deranged: Writing and BloodByronic Heroes and the Bad Boys of BalletThere’s also this strange little post about what the characters of A Dancer’s Journey get up to when I’m away from the keyboard.
Other castle rooftops are available.
As are other thefts from castles.
Other books are already published:
The post Just a wee description of a castle rooftop… appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
June 7, 2023
The Red Well, a Witch’s Hoosie by Whitehills
The Red WellThe Red Well by Whitehills in Aberdeenshire is protected by an unusual building. On the autumn equinox, at sunrise, a beam of light shines through the doorway of this beehive-shaped shelter and illuminates the well within. This happens on the spring equinox too. The well, and the building, are said to date from Roman times.
A Witch’s Hoosie
When I was a small child, I lived with my grandparents in Whitehills for a while. One day, playing with my cousins, I was locked in that building to see if the witch would get me. The place was referred to as the ‘witch’s hoosie’ back then, by children at least. There were scary stories of an old lady witch ghost. I was quite interested to see if she would show up. She didn’t, and I was eventually freed, my lack of fear having disappointed my companions somewhat.
The door is kept locked now.
Since then, I’ve always viewed the well as rather a magical place, and keenly look out for the quick glimpse of it in the landscape that you get when driving along the main Banff to Portsoy road.
Thistles by the wellIt’s in a particularly beautiful spot, the Red Well. The town of Banff can just be seen in the distance below.
A Book Set in Roman TimesI included the Red Well in SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD.
It was seven years in the making, this book. Both the novel and I went through a lot as the story developed: severe editing, hospitalisations, deleting, pain, rewriting, crying and being monstrous.
See the article Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book from Grampian Online.
Paperback and Kindle:
It’s on Kindle Unlimited too so can be read for free (there’s a 30 day free trial).
NewsletterGo here to sign up for my occasional emails that always include exclusive photos and news of my writing and life. They’re a more intimate space than the blog. If you would rather just hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
About Page
Read all about little old me here
Writer’s Tip JarThe post The Red Well, a Witch’s Hoosie by Whitehills appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
June 5, 2023
Woodland Pictures from the Time of Lockdown
These woodland pictures were originally posted in 2020 during lockdown.
Lost in WritingI am lost in writing. I am in the Iron Age. Second draft. Rough edges. Rough middle. Super-rough ending. Full of raw emotion. The manuscript is ragged with it, as am I.
2022 edit: the book is out now
Misty Woodland PicturesI revel in timeless pictures and misty woods. And lockdown has not kept those from me. I know I am lucky in this, and hope you are all finding some beauty too.
There’s been tree felling here, so soon after Aikey. The wider world is strange and changed, and the immediate world mimics it in metaphor.
Whoops.
This post seems to be approaching a pretentious overuse of literary devices, especially alliteration… Things may be odd, but there’s no excuse for that!
Scots Pines. Sturdy and strong. Oops.
I love the gnarly nature of the hazel trees. It could have been worse. I could have added the word ‘nutty’. But just for a moment, I am going to give in to this curious compulsion…
There have been many misty mornings. And with that one terrible sentence, it is gone…
The gean trees (wild Scottish cherry) are blossoming.
Sunsets are wonderful. And the moon is too.
A woodland quote from THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR:
Sisters at the Edge of the World (mentioned above)
Set in 1st century Scotland, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance!
“Ethereal and spellbinding….” Historical Novel Society
See the press release here
Read the article Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book from Grampian Online.
NewsletterGo here to sign up for my occasional emails that always include exclusive photos and news of my writing and life. They’re a more intimate space than the blog. If you would rather just hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
About Page
Read all about little old me here
Writer’s Tip JarThe post Woodland Pictures from the Time of Lockdown appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
