Ailish Sinclair

December 22, 2025January 12, 2026

A Completed Series and Christmas at the Castle

A completed series: A Dancer's Journey by Ailish Sinclair

Christmas at the castle. A Dancer's Journey is now a completed series

Yes. Phew. *Lies down, exhausted* A Dancer’s Journey is now a completed series. Ready to binge.

The photo above shows the fireplace in the music room at Fyvie Castle, previously glimpsed here.

Dance and Despair

I have a new article up on the Women Writers, Women‘s Books site: Dance and Despair: Writing What You Know It discusses some of the inspiration behind the Dancer’s Journey series.

“I was drawing from my own life, yes, but it also felt like I was tapping into a wider female knowledge, one that can be hard to speak about. I had to do it justice. I had to get it right.”

Christmas at the Castle

There’s a Christmas party at the fictional castle in the third book, Fouetté, which is out today.

It was really difficult to find a quote that wasn’t also a spoiler, so here’s a short, slightly edited, one from that party:

Running in high heels was not fun. Neither was pursuing an inebriated nemesis.

The theatre was empty. I walked on up the corridor and found her bent forward over the edge of the swimming pool, gazing into its dimly lit blue depths. The light illuminated us from below, creating an intimate effect, maybe encouraging the telling of deep truths.

One step forward, and she would fall in…

Below is a window from the music room at Fyvie, replete with seasonal poinsettias.

A Christmas window and a completed series

An Interview with Amalphia Treadwell

That Wee Writing Lassie is asking her cheeky questions again, but this time it’s to the main character of the books, not me. See her blog series here.

A Dancer’s Journey: a completed series

A Dancer's Journey series by Ailish Sinclair

My dance background and love of history and spicy stories are what inspired this dark mix of contemporary romance and ballet set in a castle. Readers of my historical fiction will recognise the castle and stone circle that feature in these 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…

There are no cliffhanger endings here; each book completes a story, but then there is more. So much more.

Series on Amazon UK

Series on Amazon worldwide

Series on Goodreads

A Dancer’s Journey is available in paperback, Kindle and on Kindle Unlimited.

A connected (non-spicy) series is coming in 2025! See it here.

Castle Dancers Series by Ailish Sinclair

About Page

See my About Page

Newsletter, Updates and ARCs

Go here to sign up for occasional emails that always include exclusive photos and news of my writing and life. They’re a bit more intimate than the blog. If you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.

Reviewers can apply for Advance Reader Copies of future books here.

Writer’s Tip Jar

December 21, 2025December 21, 2025

The Haunted Library of Delgatie Castle

Off we go to Delgatie Castle in Aberdeenshire to visit the haunted library.

Delgatie Castle History

The castle dates from 1050 and has been added to many times over the centuries. Mary, Queen of Scots stayed there for three days after the Battle of Corrichie in 1562. The Hay family bought the castle fifty years ago to save it from ruin. The castle and estate are now run by a charitable trust.

Past the canons we go…

We walk between unicorns and through the door.

Up the stairs…

The castle is beautifully decorated for Christmas.

window in the stairwell of Delgatie Castle

There are many, many Christmas trees, and many, many children counting them as part of a quiz.

We pass by beautiful beds:

The bed below has a red-haired ghost of its own, Rohaise; she visits men who dare sleep in the room by themselves!

There are more beautiful Christmas trees…

Christmas trees in a bedroom at Delgatie Castle

The Haunted Library

And then, finally, we come to the library door.

It’s lovely in the room, no sign of the ghost today.

Many years ago, a body was found in one of the walls of the library. It was in a crouching position, and it’s now thought this was probably a member of the family who was a monk. He may have hidden in the castle after the Reformation, and was then unable to be openly buried when he died. After his discovery, the ghost was frequently seen and an exorcism took place. A local minister dedicated the final resting place of the body.

There’s a Christmas tree in the library today.

Christmas tree in the haunted library of Delgatie Castle

Historical Fiction

My historical novels all involve dark events, romance and a little magic…

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.

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

A Recent Review of Ariel: Dancing on TV

“Today’s feature is Ariel: Dancing on TV by Ailish Sinclair, a young adult contemporary romance that blends resilience, first love, and the complicated glare of public attention. Set at a prestigious Scottish dance school housed within a castle, this story opens with a shocking act of betrayal and follows a young girl determined to redefine her future on her own terms.

“Through dance, friendship, and unexpected connection, Ariel explores what it means to be seen—not just by the world, but by yourself.” See the review here on the blog of Gina Rae Mitchell.

Castle Dancers Series on Amazon UK

Castle Dancers Series on Amazon Worldwide

My About Page

See my About Page

Newsletter and Free Story

You will receive a free short story in e-book form when you sign up for my occasional, more-intimate-than-the-blog newsletter (the story can be read in a browser too).

The Performance: sometimes going home for Christmas is just one huge performance…

Author Page and Signed Copies

If you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page. Signed copies are available from my kofi shop.

Writer’s Tip Jar

December 21, 2025January 12, 2026

Shortest Day, Longest Shadows

Berrybrae Stone Circle on the shortest day of the year

It’s the shortest day of the year today (post written December 2024), the Winter Solstice. It always feels reflective to me, this marker on the turn of the wheel, the earth, the sun. The photo above was taken at Berrybrae Stone Circle here in Aberdeenshire on another, sunnier, shortest day.

Northern standstill moon as seen from Aberdeenshire, close to the winter solstice 2024, the shortest day

And that’s the Northern Major Lunar Standstill, taken a few days ago. This is when the moon reaches its most northerly rising position on the horizon. It happens every 18.5 years. The southern one occurred in June, and it’s thought that our recumbent stone circles up here are aligned to that southern moon rising. So, it feels special to me.

There have been some great skies recently.

winter skies near the shortest day of the year.

I like that some things are coming to fruition now in this dark time of the year, things that generally take me a long time to complete. And, as ever, it has been years in the making. A new book series. It’s finally ready. Just about.

This is the quiet time of the stories, the time when it’s only me and publishing professionals that have seen the manuscripts.

My heart is safe and hidden on this shortest day as I look up at the sky.

But soon…

Meet Ariel and her classmates, Bubbles and Alexander, along with a whole cast of vibrant characters, as they experience love, life and adventure at the most prestigious dance school in Scotland.

Each book in this coming-of-age series delves into the personal struggles and heartfelt romances of a different student over the course of a school year. As the spotlight shifts its focus within the old walls of the castle, there are television shows to be made and dark truths to be faced.

Join these young dancers as they whirl through their challenges, forge unbreakable bonds, and discover the power within themselves. Are you ready to travel to Northern Scotland, step into the castle school and dance through the deep dark of the dungeon?

Castle Dancers Series on Amazon UK

Castle Dancers Series on Amazon Worldwide

About Page

See my About Page

There will be a free short story going out in the next mailing (probably between Christmas and New Year). The Performance: sometimes going home for Christmas is just one huge performance…

Writer’s Tip Jar

December 19, 2025December 19, 2025

The Witch Stone in Winter

Frosty hill leading up to the Witch Stone. Ailish Sinclair | Writer

The ground is solid, all the ruts and bumps, hard and crunchy under my feet as I climb the hill. And there on the top, small from this angle, is the Witch Stone.

It’s said that ‘witches’ were burned there in the past.

It’s quiet now. Cold. Peaceful.

Ladybirds are hibernating on the Witch Stone today. I hope they survive the season.

Ladybirds hibernate on the Witch Stone. Ailish Sinclair | Writer

Chosen Sisters, Romans and Romance

From the misty hills of ancient Scotland emerges a tale of love, betrayal, and the fight for freedom. Join Morragh in SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD for an unforgettable journey.

Set in the 1st century, the story includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. There’s a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance!

“Ethereal and spellbinding….” Historical Novel Society

See the press release here

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

Read the article Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book from Grampian Online.

Witchcraft and a Handsome Laird

The Mermaid and the Bear cover - witch stone

Taking place mainly in a fictional 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

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

“A delight from end to end.” Undiscovered Scotland

From the Press and Journal: New book by Fraserburgh author highlights horrific extent of witch trials in Scotland

Kidnapping, Slavery and Friendship

Fireflies and Chocolate by Ailish Sinclair, out 2021

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

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

“Filled with excitement and suspense…” Historical Novel Society Editor’s Pick

My Newsletter and a Free Story

You will receive a free short story in e-book form when you sign up for my occasional, photo-rich, more-intimate-than-the-blog newsletter (the story can be read in a browser too).

The Performance: sometimes going home for Christmas is just one huge performance…

When Ariel returns home from dance college, her mother expects her to perform the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy in a pink, sequined tutu in front of many, many party guests. Ariel adjusts the costume and choreography to expose dark truths about her life, but, as it turns out, this is not the biggest performance of the night…

New Books and Special Offers

If you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.

About Page

See my About Page

Writer’s Tip Jar

December 17, 2025December 17, 2025

Fyvie Castle at Christmas

Christmas tree at Fyvie Castle — Christmas at Fyvie Castle

There was a Christmas Fayre on when I last visited Fyvie Castle in 2023. It was all rather unexpected and enchanting.

Over on Twitter, Andrew Spratt, medieval re-enactor and ‘Man at Arms,’ worked his magic on an image I took on the day. It shows how the castle would have looked in the 15th century.

Fyvie Castle, Aberdeenshire (Scotland) @AilishSinclair image & reconstruction mock-up of earlier basic Preston Tower with wooden palisade from the early 1400s. #FyvieCastle #ScottishCastles #HistoryRebuilt pic.twitter.com/pgyCCw1XvC
— Andrew Spratt (@andrewsp2009) December 4, 2023

The Ghost of Fyvie Castle

In the foyer, there was a pile of books. The Green Lady by Sue Lawrence is about the mistreated ghost of Fyvie Castle and is set in the past and the present. The Green Lady is said to have been starved to death by her husband. I made everybody read my endorsement on the back.

Up the stairs we go…

The castle was full of local artists and crafts people selling their wares. I bought some Christmas cards and – surprise, surprise – some chocolate.

The Music Room

Pianist Ronan Malster provided beautiful music. Hear it below:

@ailishsinclair
Pianist: Ronan Malster. Christmas Fayre at Fyvie Castle. #music #christmascarol #pianorecital #castlesofscotland #christmasmusic #christmastree #scotlandtravel
♬ original sound – Ailish Sinclair

Come on, Ailish!

As I left the castle, someone called, “Ailish! Come on, Ailish!”

I looked round, but it wasn’t me that was being called. There was a small child named Ailish, and she was being encouraged to hurry up by her parents. I felt encouraged too and hurried off to walk round the icy loch.

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.

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

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.

Series on Amazon UK

Series on Amazon worldwide

About Page

See my About Page

Newsletter and Free Story

You will receive a free short story in e-book form when you sign up for my occasional, more-intimate-than-the-blog newsletter (the story can be read in a browser too).

The Performance: sometimes going home for Christmas is just one huge performance…

Author Page and Signed Copies

If you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page. Signed copies are available from my kofi shop.

Writer’s Tip Jar

December 2, 2025December 2, 2025

The Dark of the Castle

The dark of the castle. That’s where we begin. In Cabriole. Which is out now (post from 2023).

Cabriole by Ailish Sinclair — Black coffee and dark chocolate

It’s the second title in the series, and also the notorious one.

The main character, autistic dancer Amalphia, won’t tell you that things are a bit dark in her world. She’s rather an unreliable narrator at the start of the book. But the story soon moves. In fact, it travels around quite a bit.

the dark of the castle: out the door we go! — Out the door we go! Photo taken at Fyvie Castle

From the blurb

Leaving your boyfriend for a career on the stage is easy, right?

Back in London, and newly single, Amalphia moves into a seven-figure apartment and walks into a job with a top ballet company. Despite these advantages, she soon encounters new pain and a dark far deeper than that of the dungeon.

See the full blurb here

London

I took the next photo the last time I walked through Chinatown in London. Cakes like this don’t actually feature in the novel, but I think they express lightness and fun. There is plenty of that in the tale too.

Excerpt

Justin and Amalphia meet in Chinatown at one point. Quote slightly edited to avoid a spoiler:

“Phi, keep going,” urged Justin. “You can’t say something like that and go quiet.”

Between large mouthfuls of food, I detailed the time in New York, the following week… and the present: the horrible, sticky, itchy present.

“I’m a bit shocked,” he admitted. “It’s a lot to take in.”

There’s a few places like this in the book:

And this question is explored:

Cabriole by Ailish Sincalir, starting in the dark of the castle

So, there we are. A Dancer’s Journey. It’s in paperback, Kindle and on Kindle Unlimited. Two out… One to go (December 22nd)

Series on Amazon UK

Series on Amazon worldwide

See the Wee Writing Lassie’s new blog series about my favourite dancers here

Reviews

From Molly on Amazon.com: I laughed out loud many times! I cackled twice. I cursed at characters in my head a few times. It’s truly one of the best books I’ve ever read and made me feel SO MANY FEELINGS.

From emmalolly13 on TikTok: “This series has a special place in my heart… I feel so blessed to continue reading Amalphia’s story… Her journey with love has been rough… this is such a soul-touching series.”

Background of the Series

A Completed Series and Christmas at the Castle
The Publishing Journey of a Ballet Novel
Pointe Work and a Red Leotard
Working Girl: a WordPress Prompt Goes Dark
A Snaggled, Barbourous Place
Chosen Sisters: Friendship and Dance
And there’s also this slightly strange little post about what the characters of A Dancer’s Journey get up to when I take a rare day off from writing.

My About Page

See page here

Newsletter and Free Story

You will receive a free short story in e-book form when you sign up for my occasional, more-intimate-than-the-blog newsletter (the story can be read in a browser too).

The Performance: sometimes going home for Christmas is just one huge performance…

Author Page and Signed Copies

If you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page. Signed copies are available from my kofi shop.

Writer’s Tip Jar

December 1, 2025December 1, 2025

Trip-trap over the Brig o’ Balgownie

Signpost to Brig o' Balgownie in Old Aberdeen

It was a grey day when I set out to see the Brig o’ Balgownie in Old Aberdeen. Down a narrow cobbled street I travelled to visit one of Scotland’s oldest bridges.

But then, there was light!

Old-fashioned lamp post lit in front of a cobbled bridge

I’m not sure why some of the lights on the bridge were on; maybe it was just such a dark day that they automatically activated. Or maybe they knew I was coming 😉

Anyway, trip-trap, trip-trap, over the bridge I went…

History of the Brig o’ Balgownie

The bridge was completed about 1320 at the behest of Robert the Bruce. It was almost completely rebuilt in 1605 when a fund was set up for its maintenance ‘in perpetuity.’ And, indeed, it remains in good condition today, complete with loops to tie up your horse.

Folklore

Talking of horses, Thomas the Rhymer made a prophecy about the bridge:

“Brig o’ Balgownie, black’s yer wa’;

Wi’ a wife’s ae son, and a meer’s ae foal,

Doon ye shall fa.’”

Translation: when an only child crosses the bridge on a horse that’s a foal and also an only child, it – the bridge – will fall down.

This made Lord Byron nervous about crossing the medieval bridge as a child, but he and his horse, and the bridge, survived.

Hunting High and Low

I wanted a good photo of the bridge taken from beside the river. So, down these steps I trotted:

Winding steps at the Brig o' Balgownie, yellow autumnal tree to side

However, walking along that side of the River Don didn’t provide any view of the bridge at all.

Trip-trap, trip-trap, and down the other side:

I stood in thick, clay-rich mud to take that photo, and then, up the hill I climbed… The more modern Bridge of Don can just be made out through the trees there.

Path near the Brig o' Balgownie through dark trees

It was tricky to get a proper view back to Balgownie through the foliage, but I eventually did. Ta-da!

The Manteith Collection

Aberdeen’s 1597 witchcraft panic (mermaid) and 18th century kidnappings (fireflies) combine with love and hope in THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR & FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE. Christmas features in both books!

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

“Filled with excitement and suspense…” Historical Novel Society Editor’s Pick

Newsletter and Free Story

You will receive a free short story in e-book form when you sign up for my occasional, more-intimate-than-the-blog newsletter (the story can be read in a browser too).

The Performance: sometimes going home for Christmas is just one huge performance…

Author Page and Signed Copies

If you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page. Signed copies are available from my kofi shop.

About Page

See my About Page here

Writer’s Tip Jar

November 30, 2025January 12, 2026

A Frozen Loch

frozen loch with a sturdy pink and cream cloud above — Frozen loch

I’m up early to light the fire so that the room warms up a bit before writing.

I’m still cold. And still moaning about the temperature (-9 yesterday, -3 today, so slightly better).

But beauty cannot be ignored.

A Fictional Frozen Loch

In SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD, Morragh uses the pink of a frozen pool to calm herself.

Excerpt

“I stop now to properly observe and feel the gentle pink shade of the water. I try to breathe it in, to let it take me. All calm. All calm. But pink is not what I sense in the dwelling beyond the water. There’s no calm to be found there at all.”

About SISTERS

Having explored 16^th century witch trials in THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR and 18^th century child kidnappings in FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE, author Ailish Sinclair has now travelled far back in time to the Iron Age and the Roman invasion of Scotland.

From the provocative opening scene to the later dramatic and devastating events of the story, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is a book that will continually surprise, delight, and sometimes shock the reader. The novel features the beautiful hill of Bennachie, and the stone circles of Aberdeenshire, along with the cliffs and caves of Cullykhan Bay.

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

“Ethereal and spellbinding…” Historical Novel Society Review

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 love, dance and obsession.

Series on Amazon UK

Series on Amazon worldwide

Series on Goodreads

About Page

See my About Page

Newsletter, Updates and ARCs

Reviewers can apply for Advance Reader Copies of future books here.

Writer’s Tip Jar

November 27, 2025January 12, 2026

Chasing Nacreous Clouds

Nacreous clouds have been appearing over Scotland in the last few weeks. They’re quite stunning, but my phone camera is really not up to the job of capturing the mother-of-pearl beauty of them.

This was my first attempt last week:

Nacreous clouds in a dark sky — Nacreous clouds

But then on Christmas Eve, this happened in the sky:

I would like to say that I ran through the woods to see the clouds, but it wouldn’t be true. It was getting dark, and falling over can bring on an autoimmune flare-up, so I walked. Carefully and briskly.

And there they were.

The clouds were actually more pink than orange.

The ‘big camera’ has had its battery charged and is awaiting another show!

Article on nacreous clouds from the Met Office

A Dancer’s Journey is now complete

My dance background and love of history and spicy stories are what inspired this dark mix of contemporary romance and ballet. Readers of my historical fiction will recognise the castle and stone circle that feature in these 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…

There are no cliffhanger endings here; each book completes a story, but then there is more. So much more.

Series on Amazon UK

Series on Amazon worldwide

Series on Goodreads

A Dancer’s Journey is available in paperback, Kindle and on Kindle Unlimited.

A connected series is coming next year!

My About Page

See my About Page

Newsletter, Updates and ARCs

Reviewers can apply for Advance Reader Copies of future books here.

Writer’s Tip Jar

November 24, 2025November 24, 2025

A Winter Wonderland, Stones and a Monster

A beautiful winter wonderland. Sparkling. Fresh. Perfect. Post from November 2021.

And then there’s the monster. Me. Again. Yes, I have succumbed to some of my old monstrous ways. But it’s not as bad as before. I’m not in hospital this time. I’m in a winter wonderland!

Storm Arwen

Storm Arwen pulled down some of our old pines and left us with no electricity for a couple of days. But we were cosy and well fed. We played board games and stoked the fire. We listened to audio books in the dark till the iPad ran out of power.

The Monster

Before that, when I could feel the beginnings of monstrosity happening, I ran round doing things I knew I might not be able to do for long. I bought festive food in the shops. I visited Berrybrae Stone Circle.

The trees around the circle looked dark and forbidding.

I found it hard to climb up onto the wee wall around it with my gammy leg. But I made it…

It was still autumnal then. Unlike now.

autumn at Berrybrae Recumbent Stone Circle

The Historical Novel Society published a very nice review of FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE here which cheered me up.

Quote:

Like Elizabeth wrapped in a plaid, savor the pages of Fireflies and Chocolate and wait for that “bonny” feeling, “I’ve come home.”

Dorothy, the reviewer, also put the review up on her website here with some lovely Scottish photos.

Back to the Winter Wonderland

So, for now, I’m content to read blogs and reviews and take short hobbles through the beautiful snow, feeling glad to be able to return to electricity and the cosy fire… and maybe even a bit of writing.