Ailish Sinclair's Blog, page 47
December 22, 2020
Walking on Balmedie Beach in my Slippers
I crossed the boardwalk slowly, being careful not to catch my slippers in the gaps between wood. My foot is a lot better, though I still can’t wear proper shoes or put my heel right down on the ground, but I was determined to walk on the beach. So, on the way home from a hospital visit, I stopped at Balmedie.
I made wee slipper footprints in the sand as I went. And then stood and stared out at the wind turbines on the horizon.
The low winter sun made dark silhouettes of the dunes.
There was a tideline of shells. I liked them. I poked them. I put one or two in my pocket.
And then shuffled back through the soft sand to the car, and home to hot chocolate.
There’s two new reviews of The Mermaid and the Bear up on Rosie Amber’s site. They’re both quite profound. I am blessed to have such deep thinking people take the time to write down their thoughts on the book.
The first, from Jenni here: “A narrative about the hurt that can be given carelessly, and the pain that can be survived. A fairytale, and a myth, and a Shakespearean epic all rolled to one—The Mermaid and the Bear is a delight for those brave enough to tackle it. 5/5, would re-read most any day of the year.”
And then from Claire: “I loved this book much more than I thought I would. It has a depth that I did not expect but at the same time, it had an open-heartedness and generosity that I’m not used to when compared to my usual contemporary fiction reading.”
I hope you all have a good festive time, if you celebrate, and stay well and cosy and eat lots of good food.
Escape Christmas 2020 with THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR! Exchange lockdowns for witchcraft accusations! Live in a castle, visit the stone circle and taste the Twelfth Night Cake…
Sign up to my mailing list here for exclusive photos and insights into my life and writing 
The post Walking on Balmedie Beach in my Slippers appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
Walking on the Beach in my Slippers
I crossed the boardwalk slowly, being careful not to catch my slippers in the gaps between wood. My foot is a lot better, though I still can’t wear proper shoes or put my heel right down on the ground, but I was determined to walk on the beach. So, on the way home from a hospital visit, I stopped at Balmedie.
I made wee slipper footprints in the sand as I went. And then stood and stared out at the wind turbines on the horizon.
The low winter sun made dark silhouettes of the dunes.
There was a tideline of shells. I liked them. I poked them. I put one or two in my pocket.
And then shuffled back through the soft sand to the car, and home to hot chocolate.
There’s two new reviews of The Mermaid and the Bear up on Rosie Amber’s site. They’re both quite profound. I am blessed to have such deep thinking people take the time to write down their thoughts on the book.
The first, from Jenni here: “A narrative about the hurt that can be given carelessly, and the pain that can be survived. A fairytale, and a myth, and a Shakespearean epic all rolled to one—The Mermaid and the Bear is a delight for those brave enough to tackle it. 5/5, would re-read most any day of the year.”
And then from Claire: “I loved this book much more than I thought I would. It has a depth that I did not expect but at the same time, it had an open-heartedness and generosity that I’m not used to when compared to my usual contemporary fiction reading.”
I hope you all have a good festive time, if you celebrate, and stay well and cosy and eat lots of good food.
Escape Christmas 2020 with THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR! Exchange lockdowns for witchcraft accusations! Live in a castle, visit the stone circle and taste the Twelfth Night Cake…
Sign up to my mailing list here for exclusive photos and insights into my life and writing
December 6, 2020
Snowy Scottish scenes, loch, stones, woods
It’s raining here in Scotland, but I’m thinking about snow. I’m still a bit monstrous, but I’m thinking about pretty things, sparkly things, Christmas baubles and frost and ice.
That’s the loch in Strichen Community Park above, and below.
And then stones. I think about them a lot. Witchy ones in the half light of approaching snow:
Bronze Age ones. The Memsie Burial Cairn:
And circles. Of course, those.
My thoughts go to the woods of Delgatie Castle…
I would like to be marching along those paths.
Just look at the fluffy trees!
Closer to home, there’s the field.
Track newly cleared by the farmer:
And then there’s a fox!
And deer bottoms…
I mustn’t forget frost at the beach. I love the crunch of the sand.
The low winter sun shines through.
Here’s hoping we get some snow soon
October 27, 2020
On Monsters: being one, writing one…
Arriving at a Halloween party in the past…I don’t need a Halloween costume this year. I already look like a monster. The medication I’m on to stop my body killing me (condition lamented here) has made my face swell up. Like a moon. It is a well documented side effect actually referred to as ‘moonface’. The same drug is also causing insomnia so I have massive eye bags that extend to what feels like halfway down my face. There’s quite a lot of bandage action across my body too, which adds an air of mummification fun to the whole ensemble.
I’m also pale. Pale like a ghost.
However, being a monster on the outside, in appearance, is nothing to being truly monstrous. While researching witch-hunting in preparation for writing THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR, I wanted to find a real monster, a person so enthused for the brutal activity that they could become a focal point for that dark energy in the story. History did not give him up easily. There was no obvious individual in the court documents or confessions. But I hunted him down and finally cornered the rogue in the financial accounts of Aberdeen.
In September 1597 William Dunn, Dean of Guild, was awarded, £47 3s 4d (the equivalent of £6000 in today’s money) for taking ‘extraordinary pains in the burning of a great number of witches’. It was really unusual for someone to be given a large lump sum like this. With the exception of some witch prickers and those who sought to escheat their rich relatives, money was not commonly a motivating factor in the witch trials. William Dunn’s job was being in charge of the public money of the town, so he basically gave the cash to himself. I found you Sir, and I made you smell of rotten fish! If you read the historical notes section of the book, you’ll see that I’ve also cast him as the devil.
Bandage action!So now I’m editing Fireflies and Chocolate and, 150 years later, there is brief mention of the Dean of Guild again. It does seem to be a role associated with making money from the suffering of others, at least historically in Aberdeen.
Moving on from monsters, there are a couple of nice bookish things to mention. The book blogger Rosie Amber is running a Review-A-Book Challenge. It’s open to those who have never written a review and experienced reviewers alike, and is a great chance to get some free books for writing short reviews. THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR is one of the books on offer!
CelebsForSmallBiz over on Twitter are organising a charity auction in aid of Crisis to help homeless people this Christmas. A signed copy of MERMAID is up for bidding there on the 14th and 15th of November.
There’s a review I forgot to mention earlier, being rather distracted by the task of becoming a monster, here from Undiscovered Scotland: “The Mermaid and the Bear is a delight from end to end. There is a superb level of description in the book, that transports the reader back to the sights, sounds and smells of 16th Century life in a Scottish castle.” See the whole review here.
And finally, a spooky wee quote for this spooky old week:
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October 11, 2020
A Swashbuckling Adventure, Through Hospital Windows
The start of the title is a bit of a lie. In fact it’s a total fabrication. There’s no derring-dos on the high seas recounted here. I do have crutches, so am a bit peg-legged and I like to think there’s an (imaginary) parrot on my shoulder. I have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, so my body has basically been trying to kill me. I’m now on medication to stop those efforts, but I have to be checked once a week in case the drug makes its own attempts to kill me. So there are elements of a thriller genre at work in my life.
During my month of cannulas, needles, tests and scary procedures I sought beauty where I could find it. Through the hospital windows. I woke the first morning to a beautiful pink sunrise and a rather wonderful view of St Nicholas Kirk steeple, the church that features in THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR. Despite the fact that I wrote of truly terrible events involving that steeple, I found it somewhat comforting to see it there. I felt a connection to the place. It lit up in the evening sun too.
But I was soon moved. This was something that was being done due to Covid. Constant rearranging of patients between wards. Decisions made by ‘bed managers’, not medics. It didn’t make any sense to me, and the medical staff were pretty unimpressed by it too.
However, I saw through many different windows. This next ward had the worst view, just a small box of buildings, but the best bed. Air mattresses are magical things; lying in them is a little bit like being hugged as they inflate and deflate to maximise your comfort.
I was soon off to sparkling chimney sunrises and sunsets:
Then, finally, the last of the hospital windows. At first I was quite annoyed about this move. Diagnosed and treated, just awaiting final tests, I was shunted away to what felt like a far flung area of the hospital, and I no longer had my own room. I posted a somewhat morose quote from Lord of the Rings about the sunrise that morning on Instagram.
But, it really worked out very well. The other three ladies I was with were lovely. There was kindness and understanding between us all and we shared frequent laughing conversations, our room being referred to as the party room by the nurses.
And it had a swashbuckling sea view… just.
While I was in, a rather wonderful review went up on The Rose and the Thistle blog. Reading the opening line cheered me up instantly! “Before I go any further, I just have to say, this is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. Yes, it is written in one of my favorite time periods, and yes it takes place in one of my favorite places in all the world, but when you combine that with the almost poetic style of Sinclair’s writing—sigh!” See the whole review here.
Set in a fictional castle in Aberdeenshire, Ailish Sinclair’s debut novel, THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR, features an often overlooked event in history, the 1597 Aberdeen witchcraft panic, and a love story.
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August 14, 2020
Stormy Skies over St Combs Beach
Wandering barefoot. Along the sand. At St Combs Beach.
Tiptoeing between the sandworm castings.
Feeling the smoothness and solidity of the rocks.
Bending down to look at some wee sea snails.
Leaping over the seaweed.
A sand storm blows up on the way back.
But the skies stay dramatic.
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There’s a great review of The Mermaid and the Bear over on The Inquisitive Inkpot: “This is where I connected with Isobell: I connected with her when the fragility of her world suddenly mirrored the fragility of mine. So to speak, I met her in the details.”
And another here on Instagram: “The author has written such a triumphant tale of love, bravery, and true magic for these women and all women.”
Set in a fictional castle in Aberdeenshire, Ailish Sinclair’s debut novel, THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR, features an often overlooked event in history, the 1597 Aberdeen witchcraft panic, and a love story.
The post Stormy Skies over St Combs Beach appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
June 30, 2020
Finding Loudon Wood Stone Circle
Loudon Wood Stone Circle is so deep in the woods that it is almost impossible to find. There are many little paths that look like they might lead into it from the main track, but the one that actually does? Virtually hidden. I succeeded in finding it again recently. And it was wonderful.
Within the circle glade, it was peaceful. It was warm. It was calm.
There was a brief rain shower while I was there, and even that felt gentle and soft, in direct contrast to the horizontal in-the-face precipitation we often get here.
I didn’t want to leave. Surrounded by dense trees, the circle felt separate from the somewhat crazed world outside. It made me think of the person who commented on a recent Instagram post, saying that the image freed them from ‘all the bullshit’ for a moment. This was that picture:
Loudon Wood Stone Circle is like that too. Free of things that can maybe be symbolised by this beer made by a local brewery:
The stones are old. True. Dignified and simple.
And the pathway out? Easy to find.
You can read an interview I did recently on The Trainee Journalist blog: Novels by North-east author tell unheard stories from the past
And there’s a nice new review of THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR over on Goodreads here. “The ending is gorgeous and deeply moving. I had a hard time putting the book down. Highly recommended for readers of historical fiction, love stories, tragedies, and the resilience of love, kindness, and faith.”
Set in a fictional castle in Aberdeenshire, Ailish Sinclair’s debut novel, THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR, features an often overlooked event in history, the 1597 Aberdeen witchcraft panic, and a love story.
The post Finding Loudon Wood Stone Circle appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
May 8, 2020
Timeless Woodland Pictures from the Time of Lockdown
I am lost in writing. I am in the Iron Age. Second draft. Rough edges. Rough middle. Super rough ending. Full of raw emotion. Ragged with it, as am I.
I 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. The moon is too, though it’s blurry; I’ve never taken a good photo of the moon.
I’ll be doing #CelebsForSmallBiz again tonight on Twitter. So many lovely things over there, do join me if you can, 9-10pm BST.
A woodland quote from THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR:
Stay safe. Stay well. Feel free to share any lockdown beauty you find too
April 16, 2020
Woodpeckers, Windows and Small Business!
Three little woodpeckers. Fighting in a tree. That’s what I encountered on my daily walk today. Turn up the sound and you can hear them, along with a distant pheasant.
#AWindowOnScotland is a nice little tag on Twitter at the moment. Lots of lovely views from Scottish windows. Mine:
Talking of Twitter, and good things, I’m collaborating in a great initiative to help small businesses, especially ones that have fallen through the gaps of governmental help. I’ll be retweeting lots of wonderful products and services between 9-10pm GMT tomorrow, Friday 17th April on the tag #CelebsForSmallBiz (yes, that is Mrs Fitz from Outlander!)
The Evening Express have published a wee article on the next book, Fireflies and Chocolate here.
Meanwhile, The Mermaid and the Bear sits among the primroses, flowers that I ate while researching medieval foods for it! See research article.
Now free on Kindle Unlimited. Also available in paperback. Book info page here.
Stay safe and well. Look after yourselves. For me, this involves sitting in the sun, eating chocolate and listening to those woodpeckers!
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March 31, 2020
The Lost City of Lenabo Woods
Just like everyone else at the moment during the Corona Virus Crisis, I am not able to gallivant around filling my phone with pictures of interesting places. However, during my daily scroll to find #goodthings to post on Instagram and Twitter, I found photos of Lenabo Woods taken in 2017. I had meant to blog about the site back then, but didn’t get round to it.
So, take my hand, virtually, hygienically, and we’ll walk through what was once the setting of Britain’s most northerly airship base.
RNAS Longside was active from 1916 to 1920. 1500 personnel were based at the station and the site boasted a swimming pool, a theatre, shops, a church and gas works. All of those buildings are long gone, but some things remain.
The above wall is thought to have been part of the officers’ mess. Memorial plaque below:
The fireplace within:
Throughout the woods, remnants of various structures are to be seen, such as these airship moorings:
Buildings swept away:
The site was known locally as RNAS Lenabo and the ships referred to as ‘Lenabo Soo’, soo being the local name for female pigs!
It’s fun to imagine the bustling community that lived at Lenabo for those four years, swimming in the pool, attending the theatre, and, of course, maintaining and operating the airships.
Well, this has been a pleasant virtual walk today (I’ll let your hand go now) and Lenabo will be a good place to explore in person again once things have calmed down.
I forgot to mention in my last post that I’ve made a Pinterest board for Fireflies and Chocolate (my next historical novel). Pinterest is a good virtual place in these times too.
Thanks to Reading is my Yoga for this beautiful #bookstagram picture and review of The Mermaid and the Bear: “While the first part put an almost constant smile on my face, the second part made me cry ugly tears.”
See the whole review here and the book is now free on Kindle Unlimited.
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