Here we are at the start of our quest to find pink castles in the snow. Originally posted 2019.
Fyvie
We pass through the gates to Fyvie Castle where it’s more icy than snowy, and we’re getting down and frosty with it!
Great shadows reach towards the castle, but we’re backing away, we’re leaving… seeking out more of those castles in the snow…
We’re travelling across country like Ice Road Truckers to…
Delgatie!
It’s bright and properly snowy here. Let’s walk in the woods.
And circle back round to the castle.
Say hello to the unicorns!
On to a stormier day and a dark ruin:
Huntly
Pink castles. Pinks castles… Not quite a pink castle, Huntly. More ‘pinkish’ in certain lights, really.
But look at the old chimneys…
And the slopes and trees…
Finally, it’s time to snuggle up at home with hot chocolate in a mermaid mug!
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 in 1st century Scotland and includes the ancient battle of Mons Graupius.
- THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR has medieval Christmas and witchcraft accusations.
- FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE features Christmas in Colonial Pennsylvania and kidnapping.
They’re all available in paperback, kindle and on kindle unlimited.
The Contemporary 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.
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A delightful and warming story!!
Warming in the end anyway!
Beautiful.
I’m glad you like it!
Lovely photographs. Where were these pictures taken?
Fyvie, Delgatie and Huntly Castles.
Just breathtakingly lovely!
Castles are such great subject matter!
Thank you!
Fabulous place!
Yes 🙂
There’s some beautiful pictures here
Thank you 🙂
You’re welcome
Lovely scenery!
It is!
A pleasant scenic tour with great photographs!
Thank you 🙂
Snow is something we don’t see in the postcards!
Not sure why!
Hi. Of the photos, I especially like the one of slopes and trees. Take care!
Neil Scheinin
I think that’s my favourite too.
Gorgeous! But it feels so ironic reading this barefoot in a South African summerI really can’t wrap my head around the weather in the pictures… thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome 🙂
I must come back to Scotland!! I looked up the history of this castle. Built by William the Lion (love that name) and the site of an open-air court held by Robert the Bruce. Charles I lived that as a child. So many stories held safe by the quiet walls!!
Robert the Bruce did get around! So many of the castles have a link to him.
Enjoying your posts!!!
Oh good
Beautiful pictures, thank you for sharing!
Glad you like 🙂
Beautiful!!!
Thank you 🙂
Beautiful story accompanied by beautiful photographs. 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Love the chimneys and the unicorns.
I love those too.
Really lovely images. Thank you.
Castles are such great subjects!
For sure! I was born in one-Airthrey Castle was once a maternity hospital and now part of Stirling University.
How amazing!
Gorgeous photos. Can’t wait to be back in Scotland this year! I fell In love the first time I visited last year
I hope you have a great time!
Gorgeous, gorgeous photos and writing. Am so happy we found each other’s blog. You allow me to return vicariously to one of my most favorite places in the world. I look forward to reading more of your work. Thank you, Vera
Thank you Vera. I look forward to reading more of your posts too. I love the name of your blog!
Lovely pictures and captions.
Snow does look good on castles!
Such beautiful photos! Thank you for sharing….
You’re welcome 🙂
I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. Thank you.
I’m glad 🙂
Wow ! Fantastic photographs 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Thank you for the tour. Brilliant blue skies, frost, snow, castles, and unicorns! Who could ask for anything more?
The unicorns really top it off, don’t they?
Yes, in a delightfully unexpected way!
Wow
What a stimulating journey. Thanks Ailish!
You’re welcome 🙂
That looks like it was such a fun walk.
It was fun 🙂
Since I probably won’t get back to Scotland, this site is a joy!
I’m so glad!
There’s some phenomenal pictures in this collection.
Glad you like 🙂
Fabulous post
Beautiful! The title of the post brought to mind the White Witch’s castle and Cair Paravel for some reason.
The world did take on a Narnia-esque glow for a bit!
Looked like it.
I just love Scotland and its castles. Seeng them all snow covered is so beautiful!!
It does add a little magic to them!
Beautiful pictures – the castles look lovely during these cold winter months.
They really do.
Thank you for the follow, delighted to be able to share these fab photos
Glad you like 🙂
Beautiful pictures and great writing!:)
I’m glad you like it 🙂
Lovely views , would love to be able to see more sights like this, even if only in photos thanks for sharing
I’m glad you enjoyed them 🙂
As I’ll never see my country again, your site is a treasure to unfold!
I’m so glad the site is useful to you Helen.
Not only useful….but something to explore with pleasure.
Delightful images. It makes one wonder what happened behind those walls and in the area, along with the details of life.
Old castles are good at causing such contemplation!
I agree.
Lovely photos! And that mug is too cute 🙂
Beautiful
Glad you like 🙂
I loved romping around the countryside with you. Amazing
Good 🙂
I love the word “romping.” It brought a bright spot to my morning!
It is a great word. We should all use it more 🙂
I think I will!
Fyvie reminds me of the old marching song “Fennari-o” which the Chad Mitchell Trio adapted to “Fyvie-o” (all those years ago); I hear the boots of the Irish dragoons on the cobbles and the colonel’s pistol blasting young the Captain, Ned. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43tmYYYeA1s
People do like to write songs about Fyvie!
I really like the shots of the snow on the castle smoke stacks and parapets.
It does pick out the detail in a special way, doesn’t it?
It’s amazing to see the unicorns’ horns shrink when it’s cold. I don’t feel so alone now. (Beautiful pics!) 🙂
😀
Hi Ailish, Some of these photos are particularly lovely. I look forward to exploring your blog and world especially since I read that your castles etc are the subject of your soon to be published novel. Louise
Thank you Louise 🙂
Such beautiful winter photos!
Thank you 🙂
Fabulous building, I’m not so sure about the snow.
Fabulous in its own way 🙂
What a fantastically delightful collection of pictures!!!!!
Absolutely stunning!
Thank you 🙂
I love the unicorns, although I don’t think every house owner would opt for those creatures 😀 The last few photos remind me of Ireland where I spent a few months three years ago. I enjoyed wandering around the old castles… There’s something in those corridors and rooms without ceilings that awakens one’s curiosity.
The ruins are especially evocative, I know. Unicorns are Scotland’s national animal so there are a few of them about 😉
Ooh, I didn’t know that, so interesting! And so much fun! Why choose a bear or a swan when one can choose a unicorn as a national animal! 😉
Wish I got that many comments on my posts! Great photos – I love old castles. You sound to live in a beautiful part of Scotland – very jealous!
Carol.
I do love the place I live 🙂
What a lovely read to start my morning! Thank you for sharing! It looks like you are wandering around in a fairytale!❤️❤️
The snow does add a touch of magic to everything, doesn’t it?
It absolutely does! I love the snow and I LOVE all of your amazing photos of Scotland! So gorgeous! My husband and I have been looking at them all morning! ❤️ Thank you for stopping by!
I’m so glad you like the photos! And I’ll look forward to seeing more of your blog too 🙂
Lovely photography, Ailish!
Thank you so much!
Fantastic images love the second one taken low down.
I got right down on the ground for that one!
Stunning photographs! I marvel at ancient castle walls rising from the cliff. How on earth did those early Scots lay the bricks — or stones — without slipping and sliding down the grass slopes?
I know, the building of ones like Findlater must have put people in so much danger!
Wonderful photos!
Thank you 🙂
Wow it’s so beautiful! !!
The snow really does add extra beauty.
Indeed!!!!
Beautiful
Beautiful pictures I would love to visit Scotland some day
I hope you get the chance 🙂
I really enjoyed this post and these photos! I’d love to wander there too. How lovely and lucky you to live near there. Thanks for visiting my blog too (Natural Views). I’ve been to Scotland, but only briefly. I love the old castles.
I’m so glad you liked the post, Joan 🙂
Beautiful!
They are 🙂
I have always loved Castles. Although, I’m glad I don’t have to live in one. (Cold and drafty with no internet.)
The ones that still have a roof, usually have WiFi too 🙂
Beautiful post!
Thank you 🙂
Lovely pictures of Huntly Castle. I saw it in the summer, quite different!
Yes, it transforms with the seasons.
Beautiful photo’s! 🙂
Glad you like 🙂
Nice pics!
Thanks 🙂
Beautiful, beautiful pics! Well done 🙂
Thank you!
Lovely pics!
Thank you 🙂