Janet MacLeod Trotter's Blog, page 11

Let’s have our cake and eat it! Vote NO

This morning, Referendum Day, I saw the Flying Scotsman heading for London and felt a stirring of pride in my Scottish blood. For over 300 years, we Scots have punched above our weight in the Union. But you have to have something to punch above. In 1707, Scotland was the poor man of Europe; in partnership with English, Welsh and Irish our country grew like a lion and has influenced the world. Adam Smith and the Scottish Enlightenment flourished in the union where their ideas had a much wider audience; Edinburgh New Town was built as the union grew economic muscle; the wealth of Glasgow grew on the trading power of the union; workers’ rights and trade unionism were won by ignoring borders and standing united; votes for women (dear to my heart) was won in a spirit of internationalism, of all being sisters together. Just as social justice today is more important than nationalism – the issues for women’s groups, unions, the environment are the same both sides of the border and throwing up national barriers and turning ourselves inward to our own concerns will weaken our bargaining power and diminish our influence in the UK, Europe and the world beyond.

Don’t confuse England with Westminster. There is much that needs changing in the latter – but there is a real appetite growing for federalism within the UK – strengthening the parts that Westminster can’t reach, so to speak. England – or London in particular – gives us access to international jobs and funding. Many Scots go there for work – contribute to its wealth and take from it before heading north again (my grandfather was the first Church of Scotland minister sent to London to minister to the Victorian ex-pats of St Columba’s Kirk. My father went south to Durham to “educate the English” as he put it, which he did with great success and never once gave an inch on his Scottish identity).

Next year the Tories will be out of power; food banks will become a thing of the past – these things can be undone every five years. But voting to abolish Britain will be getting rid of so much more – ties and alliances that have been painstakingly built over 300 years. Why would we want to cut ourselves off from the most successful union that the world has witnessed? If we vote to stay in, we are heading for maximum devolved powers in Edinburgh with free-rein to make our own decisions on health, wealth and an equitable society, while still standing strong with our UK mates on social, political and environmental issues.

Gandhi said we are all one humanity and all responsible for the deeds (and misdeeds) of each other. Don’t erect new barriers between us. Let’s have our cake, eat it – and share it around a bit.

 

British veterans – Russian Convoy Club

Filed under: Opinion, Uncategorized Tagged: Adam Smith, Flying Scotsman, Referendum, Scotland, Scottish, Scottish Enlightenment, UK

FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ‘COUSIN’ FLORA …

THE SCOTTISH HEBRIDES are steeped in the history of Jacobite Risings and the legendary Flora MacDonald – a beautiful, spirited young woman from the Outer Isles who dared to put her life at risk to help the fugitive Bonnie Prince Charlie. And she may just be a cousin of mine!

Flora – her life, loves and adventures – is the subject of my forthcoming historical novel, THE JACOBITE LASS. Available for pre-order on Kindle UK: http://amzn.to/1w5dtcl

and Kindle.com: http://amzn.to/1n63KZX

Scotland, 1722: on a remote and windswept Scottish island an enigmatic poetess foretells tragedy for the proud Macdonalds of Clanranald and the birth of an extraordinary child. That child is the passionate and free-spirited Flora. 

She is in love with childhood sweetheart, elusive Jacobite, Neil, yet increasingly drawn to passionate and handsome Allan.

Before affairs of the heart can be resolved, the exiled Prince Charles Stuart lands on the Outer Isles in his bid to win back the crown and his arrival ignites the Jacobite Rising of 1745. Scotland is plunged into bloody civil war; families and clans are torn apart in their loyalties and Flora’s fate is changed forever. The fate of a fugitive prince is in her hands. Will she risk everything for the sake of those she loves?

Deeply emotional and uplifting, THE JACOBITE LASS is set in the turbulent times of 18th century Scotland and is based on the true story of Scottish heroine, Flora MacDonald.

I have been following in her footsteps to get a feel of where she came from and the places where she lived – I feel like I know her!

Visiting Milton in South Uist where Flora spent part of her childhood.

Although I’m a proud MacLeod – a clan genealogist has worked out that Flora and I are distant cousins – five steps of kinship removed and several generations!

The next post will tell you more about my search for Flora’s past …

A typical Outer Isles beach and the Atlantic stretching away to America – a view unchanged since Flora’s time.

Filed under: New Publications, News, Researching The Stories, Scottish Historical Novels Tagged: Bonnie Prince Charlie, ebook, Flora MacDonald, Jacobite Rising 1745, Outer Isles, Scotland, Scottish historical romance

Tea, tigers and tennis! The true story that inspired THE PLANTER’S BRIDE novel

Invitation to the paperback launch of my new novel THE PLANTER’S BRIDE -

If anyone is in Morpeth, Northumberland on SATURDAY 7th JUNE then come along to The Chantry Museum at 3pm for a trip back in time to 1920′s India!

 

Unique cine footage that my forester grandfather filmed in the foothills of the Himalayas and never before shown in public will provide the backdrop to readings from the novel. Take a look at the taster clip showing my mum and uncle being transported in a basket on top of a mule along narrow mountain tracks!

 

 

Tales of tigers, tennis and tea parties …. I’ll be talking about the real life experience of my grandparents in India who trekked into remote parts of the Himalayas – and how this inspired the latest novel in my India Tea Series.

 

The event is free but to book a place please email: morpeth.tic@northumberland.gov.uk

or telephone: 01670 623455

http://bit.ly/1gxfs1Q

 

 

Filed under: Events, New Publications, News, Researching The Stories Tagged: British Raj, Edinburgh, grandparents, Himalayas, India Tea Series, Indian Forest Service, Newcastle, Punjab, tea, tea planters, trekking

REMEMBERING 1984 …..

In commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Miners’ Strike of 1984, I am putting my novel NEVER STAND ALONE on at a special price.

99p on Amazon.co.uk

When Carol Shannon, the unruly daughter of Brassbank’s pit manager, falls for young miner, Mick Todd, their defiant relationship causes a storm in the close-knit mining village. For the bitterness between their families runs as deep as the coal seams that are Brassbank’s lifeblood. But the hardest battles are still to come for rebellious Carol. With 1984 dawns the year long Miner’s Strike that divides the nation and sets communities at war. Hardship not only threatens Brassbank’s survival, but pushes Carol and Mick’s passionate union to breaking point, leaving tragedy in its wake. Set against the fascinatingly vivid backdrop of a momentous time, Never Stand Alone is an impassioned novel of a woman’s fight for her community, her family and the man she loves.

‘A tough, compelling and ultimately satisfying novel … another classy, irresistible read’

Sunderland Echo

‘She pulls no punches, tells it like it is and taps directly into your emotions. Excellent’ 

Northern Echo 

‘A vivid picture of courage in the face of injustice…Never Stand Alone ought to increase the author’s growing band of fans’ 

Northern Review 

‘The gritty, unforgettable story of families torn apart by the conflict that divided a nation…a powerful story’

World Books

$1.65 on Amazon.com

$1.78 on Amazon.com.au

CDN $1.76 on Amazon.ca

Filed under: books, Events, Family Sagas, News Tagged: 1984, Durham Coalfields, ebook, Miners' Strike, sagas, special offer

HERE COMES THE BRIDE! – *New Novel out now*

THE PLANTER’S BRIDE – sequel to THE TEA PLANTER’S DAUGHTER – is now available as an ebook.

The story is partly inspired by my maternal grandparents, having discovered diaries and letters written by them, giving rich detail of their lives in India in the 1920s and 30s. Granddad Bob worked for the India Forest Service and my intrepid Granny Sydney followed him out from Scotland to marry and live the itinerant life of a forester’s wife.

My granny in her wedding dress in a garden in Lahore is featured on the cover!

They trekked through remote parts of the Himalayan foothills – and when they became parents, the kids went too! My mum Sheila, as a baby, was hoist in a pram on poles and carried through the jungles and along mountainous pathways along with the tents and supplies! 

 

 

The new novel follows the fortunes of two cousins, Sophie and Tilly, who leave post 1st World War Britain behind and head for adventure in India – Sophie determined to find out the truth behind her parents sudden death in the tea planting area of Assam 15 years previously …

 

Available now on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk and other Amazon sites, as well as Kobo, Nook, Apple and other tablets and ereaders.

Filed under: books, Family Sagas, New Publications, News, Researching The Stories Tagged: 1920s, family history, Himalayas, India, India Tea Series, Lahore, new book, Punjab, sagas

STEP BACK IN TIME TO LAHORE IN THE DAYS OF THE RAJ …

Researching my latest novel, THE PLANTERS’ BRIDES (a sequel to THE TEA PLANTER’S DAUGHTER ) I came across this great collection of old photos of Lahore.

http://nativepakistan.com/photos-of-lahore/

Great inspiration for my novel which is partly set in 1920s Lahore in the Punjab!

My grandparents lived there in the 1920s and 1930s, and many of the places are mentioned in their diaries and letters: they arrived at the magnificent station, were married in the Anglican cathedral off the Mall, stayed at Nedous Hotel, had a friend who was curator at Lahore Museum ….

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My mother and uncles at their home in Lahore – my forester grandfather calls them, “Our Forest Nursery”!

Granddad was working for the Indian Forest Service. After Independence he stayed on to work for the new country of Pakistan and was based in Lahore.

In 1976, on an overland bus trip to India, we stopped in Lahore and camped for a couple of nights. I wish I had known then the rich details of my grandparents’ life there which I now know from their recently discovered diaries and letters ….! (Above is a game of cricket going on near the Mall in 1976)

Filed under: Family Sagas, News, Researching The Stories

NORTHUMBERLAND SUNRISE INSPIRES …!

I recently spent a week on a self-imposed writing retreat to get on with my novel-in-progress, THE PLANTERS’ BRIDES (a sequel to THE TEA PLANTER’S DAUGHTER)

As going to India wasn’t a practical option (!) I chose a beautiful spot on the Northumbrian coast – Alnmouth. (Through Northumbria Coast and Country Cottages, I booked a self-catered flat a stone’s throw from the beach – but handy for the hostelries too – Thursday night is curry night …!)

What better way to start the day than with a walk along the stunning beach at sunrise, with the moon still high, the sound of the waves crackling on frosty sand and a light burning in the friary chapel overlooking the sea …?

It worked – I got 17,000 words written and it’s almost complete …

Filed under: News, Researching The Stories

NEW LOOK CRIME IS STALKING MY BLOG!

Take a look at the new-look crime covers for my travel mysteries and tell me what you think! Follow the links to find out more …

Scottish crime/mystery, BIRDWOMAN, on Kindle UK at the moment for 77p! http://amzn.to/1hO1HMg and Amazon.com for $0.99 http://amzn.to/1f0bUml

 

International crime/mystery MISSING IN BAMIYAN is also newly available on Kindle UK http://amzn.to/18zLu7x

and Amazon.com http://amzn.to/1eo7cf8

(Previously published as The Haunting of Kulah and The Vanishing of Ruth)

Filed under: books, Mysteries, News, Overlanders Tagged: crime, International, new covers, Scottish, Travel Mysteries

FREE NOVEL ABOUT SUFFRAGETTES!

TO CELEBRATE THE CENTENARY OF SUFFRAGETTE EMILY WILDING DAVISON I am giving away ten signed copies of my novel NO GREATER LOVE which is inspired by northern suffragettes such as Emily.

All you have to do is follow the link to GOODREADS to have a chance of winning one of the 10 FREE paperback copies.

http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/53475-no-greater-love

Good luck!

Janet

 

 

Filed under: Family Sagas, New Publications, News

THE ALTERNATIVE CANNES FILM STARS ….!

Writers, directors, film stars are flocking to Cannes for the glitzy annual film festival. It reminds me of my trip there last year (supposedly to get some writing done). Let me share with you some exclusive shots of some lesser known stars in off-season Cannes …

Writer MacLeod Trotter starts a day in Cannes with breakfast at one of the more upmarket cafes (is she advertising the toilets …?

Meanwhile G Trotter (star of Morpeth St George’s Players) takes part in the Cannes 10K

 

So more coffee and patisseries were needed (little evidence of writing activity)

Meanwhile the mother-in-law in the middle is having better success at stardom than me!

The adoring crowds at Cannes prove too much – so we make our escape on a fast boat (okay, a ferry) across to the Ile St Marguerite …



Nature is the real star around here, thinks the Man in the Hat – and I agree.

 

Filed under: News, Opinion