Ailish Sinclair

May 26, 2025May 26, 2025

A Pine Marten and a Pine Forest

A pine forest and a pine marten - Standing stone in Culbin Forest

Above is a modern standing stone in Culbin Forest. Although pine martens are listed among the wildlife living in this large forest, it’s not where I saw the creature.

The Pine Marten

The pine marten was spotted several days before I visited the forest, in my own garden. It has appeared a few times over the years, and I’d named it ‘Chris Pine’, a fact my husband had forgotten when I texted him this:

They’re quite large animals, about the size of a domestic cat. I found a stock image so you can see what Chris Pine looks like:

So, wondering if I’d see more of his kind (I didn’t), I walked into Culbin.

It was a nice surprise to find a standing stone, albeit a contemporary one. The words on the stone reference the fact that the trees of Culbin are growing on sand dunes.

The forest floor is indeed made soft with the sand and a deep layer of pine needles.

tree roots in Culbin forest - no pine marten

Be careful the trees don’t trip you!

There’s something about the light in mature Scots Pine forests. It’s quite unique and beautiful, and I love it.

There’s more information on Culbin Forest on the Forestry and Land Scotland site here.

Lost in Ancient Woodlands

Lost in ancient woodlands and caught up in whispers of witchcraft, Isobell must navigate danger to reclaim her life. Can she find her happily ever after?

Paperback and kindle on Amazon

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

“A delight from end to end…” Undiscovered Scotland

Newsletter and Free Story

You will receive a free short story 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…

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 here

Writer’s Tip Jar

May 20, 2025September 16, 2025

I’m Ailish and I write Romps

I do. I write romps. I can’t seem to help myself. I try to write a thriller: romp. A sweet romance? Nope. That quickly went dark and rompy.

When THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR was on submission, one publisher told me they felt they were reading ‘a medieval romp’ and that they were looking for something more serious. It was a fair comment, though I assume they didn’t reach the witchcraft accusations of the story. That press has since gone out of business, so it was a lucky escape for me.

The latest of the romps is OUT TODAY!

TENDU: Dancing in the Castle

Scotland’s all misty lochs and magical forests and perfect boyfriends, right?

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.

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

Series on Amazon UK

Series on Amazon worldwide

Series on Goodreads

Reviews from ARC readers

“This book has so much representation in its characters with autism, dyslexia, medical issues and LGBTQ+ characters…” Emma-Louise on Goodreads and TikTok
“Knowing there are two more books in the series made it easier to accept that the tale was coming to an end. It can be so hard to finish a book when you are loving the story so much.” Molly on Amazon.com
“So there we have it: mad experiments, paranormal powers, exciting dance sequences and lots and lots of sex. And did I mention the mystical forces in the old stone circle?” Tom Williams on his blog, author of the James Burke historical novels.

Posts about the inspiration behind TENDU

Working Girl: a WordPress Prompt Goes Dark
Pointe Work and a Red Leotard
Chosen Sisters: Friendship and Dance
A Snaggled, Barbourous Place
Diabolical and Deranged: Writing and Blood
There’s also this strange little post about what the characters of A Dancer’s Journey get up to when I’m away from the keyboard.

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

May 19, 2025August 18, 2025

Beautiful Trees Seen on a Walk

I’ve spotted so many beautiful trees lately while out walking. Their newly opened leaves draw the eye, all bright and intense and lit up by the sun. Above is a copper beech, and below, copper and green together.

Beautiful trees: copper and green beeches.

Then there was this lovely horse chestnut:

I don’t think I’ve ever inspected a horse chestnut flower up close before, but they’re quite stunning.

And, back home, the tree peony is in flower. It smells like beef and onions 🙂

New Booktok Review for TENDU

✨POV: You thought it was just another ballet book… then it emotionally body-slammed you in pointe shoes 💔
Slow burn, enemies to lovers, fate, and a Scottish setting that delivered. See the video here

https://www.tiktok.com/@bookboundandblushed/video/7505850344040172805

TENDU: Dancing in the Castle (book 1 of A Dancer’s Journey)

Scotland’s all misty lochs and magical forests and perfect boyfriends, right?

When dance student Amalphia Treadwell embarks on a secret relationship with her rich, handsome teacher, she has no idea of the danger that lurks in his new school in Scotland…

Amazon UK

Amazon worldwide

Newsletter and Free Story

You will receive a free short story 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…

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 here

Writer’s Tip Jar

May 17, 2025July 25, 2025

Sea Rocket at the Beach

Purple sea rocket on an overcast day. The air was warm. And still. And the flowers smelled sweet.

Sea rocket is edible, but I have not tried it. The leaves do look a little like regular rocket.

The sea was cold, but it was so good to be out in nature, to feel the sand sinking away beneath my feet as the waves splashed my legs.

And the light was beautiful.

Writing Update

Everything is going well with the next series. All major edits have been done on the first two books and I’m now working on the third, Alexander’s book, and he’s giving me some trouble. If you’ve read Fouetté, you will have met Alexander and may not be surprised by this. Poor boy. He does have rather a bizarre backstory and a lot to cope with.

Molly reviewed Fouetté recently: Throughout reading the book, I exclaimed aloud in disbelief, I laughed, I whooped, I shook with consternation, I held my breathe in anticipation, my pulse raced in excitement, I nearly wept! I felt ALL of the feelings.

See the whole review here

About the new series

Each book follows a different student at the castle school as they go through various adventures and appear on different television shows. The main characters of A Dancer’s Journey feature in the background. In many ways this is a much gentler series of stories, though the characters are all dealing with dark issues from their pasts.

When will it be out? Time and health will tell!

A little more sea rocket:

About Page

See the About Page here

Go here to sign up for my occasional emails that always include some exclusive photos and news of my writing and life. If you would like to hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.

Writer’s Tip Jar

May 17, 2025September 16, 2025

Burghead Pictish Fort and the Burning of the Clavie

Burghead Pictish Fort was built around 400 CE and destroyed by fire a few centuries later. The fort was large and must have been a centre of power and significance to the Picts. It was raided by the Vikings more than once, and in 884 CE it was captured by Sigurd the Powerful, the Earl of Orkney.

The Picts

The Picts were a group of peoples probably descended from the Caledonii tribe and other Northern tribes (as featured in Sisters at the Edge of the World). The term ‘Pict’ was used by the Romans from the 3rd century CE to describe the people of what is now Scotland.

The Pictish gentleman above stands by a stone from the original rampart of the fort in the modern-day visitor centre. Below is a depiction of how Burghead would have been in its heyday.

Burning of the Clavie

I attended the ancient fire festival of the Burning of the Clavie a few years ago. It takes place in Burghead every January 11th, on the old Scottish new year. The origins of the festival are unknown, though I suspect it may have something to do with the aforementioned Vikings!

A group of men carry a barrel of tar and staves (the clavie) around the village, followed by a great crowd. When I was there, petrol was then flung onto the clavie, creating large explosions of fire, after which it was left to burn out up at the fort. The pubs in Burghead serve free food on Clavie night.

The Remains of Burghead Pictish Fort

Sadly, most of the fort stonework was destroyed when the village of Burghead was built in the 19th century. People do sometimes find parts of it in their gardens. The ancient well remains, and I visited it: see the post here

Burghead is the only Pictish site where Bull Stones have been found. There were at least thirty, though many have gone missing over the years.

The sea views are amazing, and though all is peaceful at Burghead today, it’s easy to picture Viking boats approaching… Note the wee swallow flying by in the photo below.

More info: Burghead visitor site

Sisters at the Edge of the World

Dive into the rich history of ancient Scotland with “Sisters at the Edge of the World,” a tale of sisterhood, sacrifice, and the struggle for freedom against Roman occupation.

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

About Page

See my About Page here

Writer’s Tip Jar

May 13, 2025September 16, 2025

Roseisle Beach and Pine Forest

Roseisle is a beautiful place. The beach is golden and stretches for miles between Findhorn and Burghead, and every time I’ve been there, the sky has been bright blue.

It was the perfect place for me to visit recently. I had to come off my latest medication due to side effects, and I was frightened that I was experiencing the first signs of becoming unwell. This stage of chronic illness is always a balancing act between resting and getting things done while I can. So, I gallivanted gently, and so far, I am still well 🙂

Roseisle Beach

There are pillboxes and concrete blocks all along the beach, defences left in place from the Second World War. People use them as shelters and picnic tables today.

Roseisle Forest

The forest, planted in the 1930s, is rather magnificent too.

In the open area, there are picnic tables, and toilets, and even a food truck; the skin-on fries were very good.

Forestry and Land Scotland site

Info on foodtrucks in the area

I did gallivant on a little further up the coast:

Burghead Pictish Fort

Burghead Well

A Dancer’s Journey – a completed series

He’s a damaged diva, used to getting his own way. She’s an autistic ballet girl who speaks her truth without tact. What could possibly go wrong?

Series on Amazon UK

Series on Amazon worldwide

Scotland’s all misty lochs and magical forests and perfect boyfriends, right?

When dance student Amalphia Treadwell embarks on a secret relationship with her rich, handsome teacher, she has no idea of the danger that lurks in his new school in Scotland…

My About Page

See the About Page here

Writer’s Tip Jar

May 13, 2025September 16, 2025

Strichen Stone Circle in Aberdeenshire

I walked past the sign to Strichen Stone Circle on my road to winter journey on Saturday. That’s actually as close as I got to the stones. It was just a wee trip out.

Strichen Stone Circle

I’ve been many times before, though, so here we go.

Every time I’ve visited this site, it’s been a dull day. But the stones are still majestic and bold.

recumbent and flankers at Strichen Stone Circle

This circle was knocked down in the 19th century, then put back in the wrong place, then built into a folly, then excavated, and finally placed back in its original position in 1982.

recumbent stone at Strichen Stone Circle

The recumbent looks like it may have been used for something at some point, to hold a post possibly?

You can see the old burnt-out Strichen House from the circle.

A Stone Circle in Books

A stone circle appears in all my books, the new naughty ones too, but it is particularly important to the people of SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD. The stones of Aikey Brae feature on the cover.

Sisters at the Edge of the World by Ailsih Sinclair

Set in 1st century Scotland, the novel includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The story features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance…

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

“Ethereal and spellbinding…” Historical Novel Society

Elizabeth Felt, a lecturer in English at the University of Wisconsin, had this to say about it: “The tone of this book is amazing. At the beginning, the narrator is mute, and the book feels so quiet, so in touch with the earth and stone and air and water… Amazing writing. Excellent story. Highly recommend.” See the whole review here.

Article: Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book from Grampian Online.

quote from SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD by Ailish Sinclair — The most highlighted part of the book

Pointing you to some more stones

And A Dancer’s Journey:

A Dancer's Journey series by Ailish Sinclair

Sign up to the mailing list for news about my life and writing, and some exclusive photos. If you would rather just hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.

About Page

Scottish author Ailish Sinclair at Berrybrae Stone Circle

My About Page

Writer’s Tip Jar

May 12, 2025May 12, 2025

Cherry Blossom and Wellness – the Flowers of May

Cherry Blossom and Geranium

I started this little rampage of flower posts with a blossom: apple. I’m ending with cherry. And a geranium. A pink and pretty celebration of summer and wellness.

Wellness

I used a blue to pink metaphor previously when writing about health. That seems like a really long time ago now. Lots has happened. Time has passed.

It’s great being out in the garden this year, managing to stay relatively well and do more. I’ve learned a lot about what triggers my body to have an immune response since my last hospital stay. Sometimes it’s odd things, things that should be healthy but, to me, they’re not. Sometimes it’s emotional, other times physical. Clichés spring to mind: knowing your limits; protecting your space. I’m better at those now.

And today, I’m off out into the garden again to plant sunflower and marigold seeds. No doubt they’ll appear here if successful!

Castle Dancers Series

Alexander’s Blurb

When Alexander turns eighteen, he learns that he has inherited a castle, the one that houses the dance school he attends, to be exact. He’s always wanted a do-over, a chance to fix the broken parts of himself and his life. Could this be it?

Instead of allowing the school to continue on as normal, Alexander throws the students and teachers out and claims the castle as his own.

At first he’s lonely. At first he’s hesitant. Will he have any friends left after this? The events of his uncle’s televised wedding at the castle prove that, while Alexander definitely still has friends, his broken ankle is actually the least damaged part of him.

Within the ancient castle walls, a world of dark family secrets is revealed. Join Alexander as he dances on the edge of sanity and survival, navigating through the flames of his turbulent past to forge a new future.

Latest review here on the Wee Writing Lassie’s blog: Yes finally!!! After years of stealing the spotlight in other people’s books, the great bad boy of ballet finally gets his own. Inheriting your own castle? Kicking your Dad out of his job? Just another day living the rebel son’s dream. What could possibly go wrong? [One book read later] And the answer is … everything. Everything could go wrong 😀

Castle Dancers Series on Amazon UK

Castle Dancers Series on Amazon Worldwide

Blog posts on the series

Inherit a castle - the house at Logie Estate - cherry blossom post

Newsletter and Free Story

You will receive a free short story 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…

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 here

Writer’s Tip Jar

May 11, 2025May 10, 2025

Fire and Elephants – the Flowers of May

Fire and Elephants - euphorbia fireglow — fireglow

Fire and Elephants by the Pond

The first of the fire and elephants is euphorbia fireglow. This stunning red plant remains fiery every year regardless of weeds and weather conditions. I usually misremember its name as euphoria, but that feels quite appropriate.

The elephant’s ears bergenia is at the other side of the pond.

fire and elephants - elephant's ears bergenia

Lush and lovely, this plant is also a hardy perennial, named for the shape of its leaves.

Fountain off for a reflective view:

A Dancer’s Journey

Scotland’s all misty lochs and magical forests and perfect boyfriends, right?

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.

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

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

Series on Amazon UK

Series on Amazon worldwide

Articles

Dance and Despair: Writing What You Know on Women Writers, Women‘s Books.
Author releases steamy romance novel with ‘lots of naughtiness’ set in Aberdeenshire from Aberdeen Live.
New novel from Aberdeenshire author combines passions from Grampian Online.
TENDU press release

@ailishsinclair
#CapCut A Dancer’s Journey Series: complete, shocking, unique. When dance student Amalphia Treadwell embarks on a secret relationship with her rich, handsome teacher, she has no idea of the danger that lurks in his school in Scotland… #booktok #kindleunlimited #romanticsuspense #ballettok #booktokseries
♬ som original – Bibi perigosa mx9

Newsletter and Free Story

You will receive a free short story 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…

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 here

Writer’s Tip Jar

May 10, 2025May 10, 2025

Darwin’s Barberry – the Flowers of May

It’s sprawling. It’s madly overgrown. But I love it. Darwin’s Barberry is a prickly orange shrub in the berberis family. Originating in South America, it was first described by Charles Darwin in 1835 during the voyage of the Beagle.

It looks like it’s on fire during late spring and early summer.

Walking underneath, through to the rockery:

Sisters at the Edge of the World

When Morragh speaks to another person for the very first time, she has no idea that he is an invader in her land.

What she does next constitutes a huge betrayal of her people, threatening her closest relationships and even her way of life itself.

As the conflict between the Caledonian tribes and the Roman Sons of Mars intensifies, can she use her high status in the community to lessen the coming death toll or even prevent outright war?

Set in 1st century Northern Scotland, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is a story of chosen sisters, fierce warriors, divided loyalties and, ultimately, love.

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

“Ethereal and spellbinding…” Historical Novel Society

Article: Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book