It’s raining here in Scotland this winter, 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.
Winter in Scotland
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.
Reviews
Sally Cronin features a selection of books (including SISTERS), from personally recommended authors, that she believes will make wonderful gifts for friends, family and you. See her wonderful Smorgasbord Christmas Book Fair here.
Interesting review of The Mermaid and the Bear, assessing it on the first five sentences alone, here from Jennifer Starks.
Historical Fiction
My historical novels all involve dark events, romance and a little magic and snow…
- SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD opens on a snowy winter solstice.
- THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR has 6 chapters of medieval Christmas.
- FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE features Christmas in Colonial Pennsylvania.
They’re all available in paperback, kindle and on kindle unlimited.
The Latest Books
When dance student Amalphia Treadwell embarks on a secret relationship with her charismatic new teacher, she has no idea of the danger that lurks in his school in Scotland.
She’s soon dealing with her boyfriend’s obsessive ex, the strange research taking place at the castle school and her own ever-evolving relationship issues.
Amalphia works hard to be the best dancer she can be, but as tension builds within the old walls of the castle, she begins to wonder if she will ever escape the dank dark of the dungeon…
Dark, witty, sexy and fun, Tendu is a compelling and seductive story of unconventional love, dance and obsession.
Series on Amazon UK
Series on Amazon worldwide
Series on Goodreads
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Beautiful scenes of a season or a wish, and a reminder of a good read set in Scotland. May your strength and beauty be yours — stay safe.
Thank you 🙂
Beautiful pictures! And here, on the other side of the world, we are having a heatwave. Best wishes for the Christmas Season.
And to you 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous. Please stay safe
You too 🙂
What lovely images! It’s damp and chilly here (central Virginia), no snow, but maybe later this week.
Great hearing what it’s like on the other side of the world!
You live in a very beautiful place, and your love for it shines through in your photographs.
I do love it here 🙂
It is one of life’s small pleasures to be closely connected to the land.
Reading about Scotland in The Mermaid and the Bear cemented my determination to go and see it for myself. I am actually *finally* making plans to go this coming summer and could not be more excited!
I hope you have a great time when you get here!
The snow-drenched scenery is so enchanting. You’re so blessed.
It is beautiful here, though not snow drenched at the moment!
Pictures worthy of painting on canvas. Love it.
🙂
Such beautiful photos, I love living in a country with such distinct seasons where the weather can completely transform the landscape.
I love the changes too.
It’s raining here in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. too, but I keep thinking about snow. I hope yours comes soon – in time for Christmas…
That would be nice 🙂
Wow, those are increidble photos, the place looks amazing. How i wish i could ravel to that place and feel the season from there.
Maybe one day?
Hauntingly chilly photos of Scotland. Better than being there in person. Thank you for this winter romp!
Glad you like!
These pictures are utterly stunning. I’ve always loved the mystical side of Scotland and I think you’ve captured it flawlessly.
Thank you.
Amazing pics! Thank you for showing us this beauty! <3
You’re welcome 🙂
Beautiful! Not so lucky down here in England, it’s just wet.
Here too at the moment.
Really beautiful photos. With all about your land in turmoil, stay safe. Wash your hand etc. These pics are impossibly beautiful, and I can enjoy them without needing a coat.Terrific
Glad you like them.
Stunning pictures of winter weather. I love Scotland in any weather but these snow photo’s are spectacular Thanks for sharing and stay safe during these trying times.
You too.
I still love Scotland best in summer … 😉 … but on the photos it looks rather enchanting, especially on the last one.
For that review she did not have to read the book … she does not know what she is missing … 😉
I hope you will get better soon!
Thank you. She does read the books, and then leaves a further review in her comments section 🙂
That’s good to hear!
Those are such lovely pictures. Thank you for sharing. I would love to visit Scotland someday.
I hope you get the chance!
Excellent photography. Just looking at the photos, I can sense the muffled quietness and feel the chill in the air! Here in the “sunny South,” I love to see the snow but hate the problems it causes. (Most drivers here can’t handle it!)
Yes, driving is not good in these conditions.
Beautiful – seasonal heaven
🙂
Oh my word, these are beautiful images! What a beautiful part of the world. No snow in our neighbourhood either. If only it would stay like this until spring. But no, I expect January to be her usual grumpy fierce self. Meanwhile, this is lovely.
January is usually the coldest month here too.
I’ve been to Scotland on holiday so many times, but always in May or September. I’ve always been curious about seeing it in the Winter, with snow and frost changing the landscapes that I know. But really, its all fairly remote even in May and September and can only imagine how scary and tricky it can be in harsh weather. Its bad enough down here in Suburbia, England.
It can be scary if you have to travel through it.
Gorgeous scenery, Ailish. We didn’t make it to Scotland this year but are hoping for next year. Of course we will be going in September, but if we go another time, I’d love to go in winter!
September should be beautiful too.
This summer I travelled to Scotland for the first time and the Outer Hebrides (and did a post on it too…), I can’t believe how beautiful it is. It looks magical when snow-covered!
Snow does add a bit of magic!
Beautiful photos! I remember that dusky look most of the day the time I visited in winter.
It’s good for photography 🙂
Lovely photographs, but they made me shiver!
They are cold ones!
I’ve only been blessed to spend a whopping 40 hours in Scotland. And though a brief fling, it remains an example of love at first sight. Thank you for sharing these with us so we can all enjoy, even from afar!
I’m glad you enjoyed them 🙂
I look forward to reading your book this winter. Thanks for the beautiful photos in the snow.
Glad you like 🙂
Love it. And the deer bottoms as well. Lovely fox face.
Lovely deer bottoms 🙂
Wow fabulous scenery but I guess it is Scotland and great comment on your book
Thank you 🙂
Beautiful. Thanks for the good cheer. I especially love the one with the winter sun shining through. Speaking of shining through, I believe my book that you advised on will make it to release before Christmas. Hopefully on Winter Solstice if all goes well. 🙂 Thanks again!
An auspicious date for your book!
Idyllic snow photos and it’s so unusual to see ones of snow and sand … as for the trail it looks so enticing and one feels compelled to set off and explore!
It always feels like something very strange has happened when it’s snowy or icy at the beach!
Lovely photos!
Thank you 🙂
love these photos 🙂
🙂
These winter scenes are beautiful and give me a strange nostalgia, even though I’ve never been to Scotland. Maybe something in the blood…
Maybe…
Love the beach in winter. Underrated, but beautiful!
Yes, usually deserted too.
Beautiful pictures❣️ Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed reading the writing too. I pray God makes a miraculous change in your life all according to His Will, and may your heart find joy, peace and healing in Jesus Christ’s name I pray this for you. Once again thanks for the beautiful scenery.
Thank you 🙂
SNOW! 😀
Yes! 🙂
Well that is a timely post Ailish! I finished your book two days ago and I have to say it was really well written and I enjoyed it thoroughly, I loved the way you lured me in, slapped me down and picked me up in the end! Well done and I would recommend reading your book about a tragic period in history, Thank you.
Glad you liked the book. Sorry about slapping you down!
Beautiful
🙂
I so wish I was there <3
🙂
Never felt what snow feels like cause I live in a desert. But thanks to you now I do.
I’m glad 🙂
So many lovely photos! Thank you for sharing.
Yes! I love snowy beaches on Harris. Sadly, here in Dunblane its to be 12 degrees tomorrow – a wee bitty snow would be nice some time tho. Love your writing too ❤.
Thank you 🙂 I hope you get your snow!
wow ! what a lovely post. really makes me want to visit someday ❤️
I hope you get the chance!
That looks beautiful
Fabulous blog
Thank you 🙂
Please read my post
beautiful photos! we only have the cold, gray days here so I dream of snow too
Let’s hope it falls for us soon 🙂
Gosh! Such beauty!!!❤
Gorgeous photos, Ailish!
Glad you like 🙂
Pretty pictures. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you like 🙂
Aillish, you have an eye for beauty with these photgraphs. I laughed at the Deer’s bottoms too. Have a great Christmas and Ne’er.
JJ
Thank you, and you too 🙂
Beautiful pictures
Chilly wonders. Very intriguing, just as the witches are.
Indeed 🙂
Cold beauty – and now, we’ve just lost Scotland again…Best wishes for 21
And to you 🙂
These are gorgeous photos! I can definitely see how this scenery inspires you to write! 🙂
Trying to do justice to it in words is tricky at times!
Gosh this is my dream. I would love to visit and/or live in Scotland or Ireland <3
I hope your dream comes true for you 🙂
Simply beautiful! There is magic in your art rendered both through your pen and camera.
Thank you 🙂
Unbelievable beauty! Greetings from the Czech Republic!
Hello 🙂
Some of pictures are unbeliaveble …like from another time…You are a time traveller ! :)beautyyyyyy
Snow does make things look rather other-worldly sometimes.
Amazing pictures…
Thank you 🙂
Always welcome
Fabulous images Ailish… and thank you for the link to the book fair.. have a lovely weekend. x
You’re most welcome, Sally, and thank you 🙂 You have a lovely weekend too.
Nice scenery and well captured. I am well jealous. Happily jealous ☺️
Happy is good 🙂
These pictures are beautiful! And the fox so cute
He is a cutie 🙂
Beautiful pictures! Absolutely love the ones with the pines and the snow covered fence (the fox one too!). They are feeding into my wishes of snow.
Snow wishes all round 🙂
What a lovely scene. Love the fox.
He is rather lovely.
Magical!
Snow does add a sparkling magic to the world.
Great photos. Nice capture on the fox. His colour sure pops
He is a bright little thing.
The photos are really good! I enjoy the snow, too. God bless you! ❤
Thank you 🙂
Beautiful pictures!
Thank you!