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.

Fyvie Castle at Christmas

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.

The Ghost of Fyvie Castle

The Green Lady by Sue Lawrence

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.

The Green Lady endorsements

Up the stairs we go…

window in Fyvie Castle

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

music room at Fyvie Castle

Pianist Ronan Malster provided beautiful music. Hear it below:

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.

Fyvie Castle

Historical Fiction

Novels by Ailish Sinclair

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

They’re all available in paperback, kindle and on kindle unlimited.

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

The Contemporary Books

Tendu by Ailish Sinclair

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

A Dancer's Journey series by Ailish Sinclair

About Page

Ailish's feet

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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…

The Performance, a short story by Ailish Sinclair. Get it free for newsletter sign-up.

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The Rocking Stones of Auchmaliddie

The rocking stones of Auchmaliddie

The Rocking Stones of Auchmaliddie, situated near the village of New Deer in Aberdeenshire, are thought to be the remnants of a recumbent stone circle. Only the large recumbent and one flanker remain. They are made of white quartz which lights up under the moon and sparkles in the sunlight. What an impressive circle it would have been when whole! Most recumbent circles in the Grampian region are aligned to moon cycles so moonlight quite possibly featured in their use.

They are still beautiful, I think. Even in driving hail, as they were when I visited recently.

close up of the quartz of the rocking stones of auchmaliddie
The quartz.

The black line there is comprised of straw bales wrapped in plastic. The stones are located at the edge of a field.

The rocking stones of Auchmaliddie.

Folklore of the Rocking Stones

Local folklore suggests that the stones, also known as the Muckle (huge) Stanes of Auchmaliddie, were once placed on top of one another. It is said that if a person were to stand on them and tell a lie, the top stone would tip.

The rocking stones of Auchmaliddie

A Stone Circle, Destroyed

The rocking stones have fared better than the stone circle that stood on the hill, just a mile or so away, at the other side of the village. In the 18th century it was smashed up and used in the foundations of the new manse. Bad luck is said to befall anyone who lives on the surrounding lands. The nearby farm is called Standing Stones. Below is the hillside where the circle would have been, Culsh Monument to the right.

The Culsh Monument, New Deer, Aberdeenshire

In other news, I did a wee interview over on Relationships are Complicated.com here.

Quote from interview: My next historical novel explores the relationship between two chosen sisters who flee abuse together as young children. They are as close as two people can be and I am still working on conveying that closeness and the deep understanding that exists between these young women as they negotiate their own romantic liaisons with men, both approved and unapproved by their community, and as their Bronze Age society marches into war. (Now published. See SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD).

If you liked this article on the Rocking Stones of Auchmaliddie, you might like to explore my other stone circle posts here.

Or maybe my books, all of which feature a stone circle:

Sisters at the Edge of the World cover

Set in 1st century Scotland, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features 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.

Cover of Ailish Sinclair's 'The Mermaid and the Bear'

Taking place mainly in a 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

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

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

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Trip-trap over the Brig o’ Balgownie

The Brig o' Balgownie in Old Aberdeen
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 😉

Brig o' Balgownie

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.

Brig o' Balgownie - horse loop

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.

Side view of bridge

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.

Brig o' Balgownie

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

Brig o' Balgownie from the river's edge

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!

Brig o' Balgownie

The Manteith Collection

books by Ailish Sinclair

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…

The Performance, a short story by Ailish Sinclair. Get it free for newsletter sign-up.

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.

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Ailish among the stones

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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

Collage of pictures and words about Sisters at the Edge of the World by Ailish Sinclair. Two sisters, two cultures, one love, one war. Frozen loch.

Having explored 16th century witch trials in THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR and 18th 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

A Dancer's Journey series by Ailish Sinclair

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

A Dancer's Journey series by Ailish Sinclair

About Page

Ailish Sinclair

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

Chasing Nacreous Clouds

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:

Nacreous clouds

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.

Nacreous clouds through the trees

And there they were.

Nacreous clouds over water

The clouds were actually more pink than orange.

Nacreous clouds

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

Nacreous clouds in the dark

Article on nacreous clouds from the Met Office

A Dancer’s Journey is now complete

Tendu by Ailish Sinclair

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…

A Dancer's Journey Series by Ailish Sinclair

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

Ailish's feet

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

The Lost City of Lenabo Woods: a post written during lockdown

Demolished building in Lenabo Woods

Just like everyone else at the moment (originally posted 2020 during lockdown), I am not able to gallivant around filling my phone with pictures of interesting places. However, during my daily scroll to find #goodthings to post on Instagram and Twitter, I found photos of Lenabo Woods taken in 2017. I had meant to blog about the site back then, but didn’t get round to it.

So, take my hand, virtually, and we’ll walk through what was once the setting of Britain’s most northerly airship base.

Lenabo Woods

Lenabo woods near Longside

The Lost City

RNAS Longside was active from 1916 to 1920. 1500 personnel were based at the station and the site boasted a swimming pool, a theatre, shops, a church and gas works. All of those buildings are long gone, but some things remain.

Officers' Mess in Lenabo Woods

The above wall is thought to have been part of the officers’ mess.

Memorial plaque below:

Memorial plaque in Lenabo Woods

The fireplace within:

fireplace at Lenabo

Throughout the woods, remnants of various structures are to be seen, such as these airship moorings:

airship moorings at Lenabo

Buildings swept away:

remains of a WW1 building at Lenabo

Lenabo Soo

The site was known locally as RNAS Lenabo and the ships referred to as ‘Lenabo Soo’, soo being the local name for female pigs!

It’s fun to imagine the bustling community that lived at Lenabo for those four years, swimming in the pool, attending the theatre, and, of course, maintaining and operating the airships.

Well, this has been a pleasant virtual walk today (I’ll let your hand go now) and Lenabo will be a good place to explore in person again once things have calmed down.

Building remains on Lenabo Woods

Pinterest

I forgot to mention in my last post that I’ve made a Pinterest board for FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE, my second historical novel – see info page on it here.

Review

Thanks to Reading is my Yoga for this beautiful #bookstagram picture and review of THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR: “While the first part put an almost constant smile on my face, the second part made me cry ugly tears.”

See the whole review here and the book is now free on Kindle Unlimited.

The Mermaid and the Bear, bookstagram photo

My Latest Historical Novel

Set in 1st century Scotland, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance.

“Ethereal and spellbinding….” Historical Novel Society

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

See the press release here

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

About Page

Ailish Sinclair in a stone circle

See my About Page here

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… 

The Performance, a short story by Ailish Sinclair. Get it free for newsletter sign-up.

New Books and Special Offers

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Lunching on the the Cumberland Stone by Culloden Moor

Cumberland Stone, by Culloden in the Scottish Highlands

Lunching on the Stone

The huge Cumberland Stone sits in woodland very close to Culloden Moor. It is said that the Duke of Cumberland (the king’s son and leader of the government troops) ate his lunch, or in some accounts his breakfast, sitting atop the stone on the day of battle in 1746. It’s also said that he watched the fight from there.

Steps

There are steps hammered into the side of the rock, so we can all climb up on it. For fun. Not for battle-watching. And it’s probably not the comfiest place to sit and eat lunch either!

Steps on the Cumberland Stone by Culloden

I can attest to it being quite fun.

Metal rung on the Cumberland Stone near Culloden Moor

Ice Age

The stone is a remnant of the ice age, having been carried by the great ice sheet that covered most of Scotland, and then deposited when the ice melted 16,000 years ago.

The nearby memorial bench, inscription in Gaelic and English:

Memorial bench beside the Cumberland Stone at Culloden.

Research

When researching for Fireflies and Chocolate, it interested me that the kidnappers’ ship, The Planter, sailed just three years before the battle of Culloden. Some local people must have been impacted by both events, surely? So, I gave the main character, Elizabeth, a Jacobite for a father, and she is deeply invested in the rebellion as is shown in this quote from the book:

“I’m buying special treats at the market for us to have at Christmas when I hear it being said and exclaimed about by two wifies: The Jacobites have marched South. I rush to Mr Franklin’s shop, and not just to get chocolate this time. Surely he will know more details. He does, but not many. The Young Pretender, as they’re calling Bonnie Prince Charlie, landed in Scotland in the summer. The Jacobite army has taken Edinburgh and defeated the British troops in a battle at Prestonpans.

They’re winning! They’re actually winning! We could have a new king next year.”

We all know what happened in the end, on that moor. I posted more about it here: Culloden and Clava

Flag on Culloden Moor

Beautiful and Historic Glasses

But let’s finish with a happier image. Some beautiful Jacobean glassware from the visitor centre at Culloden. The white rose was one of their secret symbols.

Jacobite wine glasses at Culloden visitor centre

FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE

Fireflies and Chocolate by Ailish Sinclair

Torn out of an isolated life in a Scottish castle, Elizabeth embarks on a determined quest to return home. Exhilarating adventures unfold on the high seas, love blossoms, and the chocolate, purchased in Benjamin Franklin’s printing shop, is delicious!

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE was inspired by the 600 children and young people who were kidnapped from Aberdeen during the 1740s and sold into indentured servitude in the American Colonies. 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

Review from the Historical Novel Society

SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD

Sisters at the Edge of the World by Ailish Sinclair. "Ethereal and spellbinding..." says The Historical Novel Society

Set in 1st century Scotland, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance!

“Ethereal and spellbinding….” Historical Novel Society

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

See the press release here

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

THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR

The Mermaid and the Bear by Ailish Sinclair

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. There’s 6 chapters of medieval Christmas too.

See the press release here

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

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

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…

The Performance, a short story by Ailish Sinclair. Get it free for newsletter sign-up.

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

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Writer’s Tip Jar


Snow at Hazlehead Park in Aberdeen

Snowy Hazlehead Park in Aberdeen, Scotland

I ran around in the first snow of winter at Hazlehead Park yesterday.

History of Hazlehead Park

The park is one of the oldest historic sites in Aberdeen, once part of the great hunting forests of Stocket, and was gifted to the city by Robert the Bruce in 1314.

I only had a short time there, due to a dental appointment, but I made the most of it!

Hazlehead Park in Aberdeen, Scotland - snow and tree

There were lovely big trees with the odd autumn leaf still attached.

Hazlehead Park in Aberdeen, Scotland - shadows on the snow

And big, big shadows.

A line of trees in the snow at Hazlehead Park in Aberdeen, Scotland

Trees, trees, trees.

I so love walking in my wilder countryside woods that I forget how lovely the wooded areas of the city are. I must visit Hazlehead Park again soon; there’s a lot more to see.

A sunny one to finish…

large tree, naked for winter, in the snow at Hazlehead Park in Aberdeen, Scotland

Tendu: Dancing in the Castle – binge the series now!

Read Tendu by Ailish Sinclair with a chocolate cupcake

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.

She’s soon dealing with her boyfriend’s beautiful and obsessive ex, the sinister 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 seductive story of love, dance and obsession. 

Series on Amazon UK

Series on Amazon worldwide

Aspects of the book

  • First title of a complete and binge-worthy series
  • Angsty romance
  • Lots of naughtiness!
  • A neurodivergent heroine and a Byronic hero
  • Set in London and Scotland
  • Unconventional love and a secret relationship
  • A castle, a dungeon and a stone circle
A Dancer's Journey Series by Ailish Sinclair

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…

The Performance, a short story by Ailish Sinclair. Get it free for newsletter sign-up.

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.

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feet

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The Midnight Marauder

Midnight marauder - badger!
The Midnight Marauder

Every night, without fail, a badger visits the garden to eat scraps and leftovers that we leave out for him.

Midnight marauder - badger!

He’s been coming for years. Though, realistically, of course, it’s not only one badger. But we always speak about him or her as if it is.

Sometimes two come together. After eating, they run about in a frenzy before disappearing into the woods.

Midnight marauder - badger!

The lighter nights made these photos of the earlier-than-usual visit possible.

I swayed there at the back door in my floaty, shaky, just-home-from-hospital state and basically revelled in the badger’s joy and exuberance.

Feels like my song just now…

Health Update

I injected myself with my new medication yesterday. Another intervention to stop my body attacking itself. We’ll see if this one works. I have hope 🙂

Daffodils
Daffodils beside a battered birch tree

My Books – a Mix of Light and Dark

A Dancer's Journey by Ailish Sinclair

Read the contemporary series that’s shocking people! It’s available in paperback, kindle and on kindle unlimited.

Amazon

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…

Review snippets:

Deanne Patterson on Tendu: It broke my heart and then healed it and made it sing. Full review here.

Molly H on Cabriole: It’s truly one of the best books I’ve ever read and made me feel SO MANY FEELINGS. Full review here – some spoilers.

Tom Williams on Fouetté: I galloped through it, loving every moment. Full review here – some spoilers, especially if you haven’t read Cabriole.

Cabriole by Ailish Sinclair

Historical Titles

My historical novels combine little-known dark events with love stories and a hint of magic.

The historical novels of Ailish Sinclair

Amazon

About Page

Ailish Sinclair

See the page here

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

Auldearn Stone Row in the Scottish Highlands

Auldearn Stone Row
Holly and ivy growing around one of the stones of the row…

I visited Auldearn Stone Row recently during a research trip for the next book. It’s beautiful, tucked away among trees by the side of a driveway. Stone rows are ancient, like stone circles, and we don’t really know much about them.

The six stones at Auldearn lead away from – or to? – a cairn, the mound you can see below.

Auldearn Stone Row, cairn beyond

The mound was excavated in 1903 and found to contain a cist – a stone coffin – but no bodies. You can see some of the kerb stones below.

Auldearn Stone Row

Like many sites with standing stones, it felt peaceful. Rain fell softly on me as I stood, trying to absorb the atmosphere of the place. The trees offered shelter, but if they, and the houses of the village, had not been there, there would have been views over to the sea.

Auldearn Stone Row, overgrown

Maybe there were once. When it was new. Maybe the people who built Auldearn Stone Row looked north and saw the ocean.

Auldearn Stone Row

The Mermaid and the Bear

The Mermaid and the Bear by Ailish Sinclair

Isobell needs to escape. She has to. Her life depends on it.

Set in a fictional castle in Aberdeenshire, 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.

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 

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…

The Performance, a short story by Ailish Sinclair. Get it free for newsletter sign-up.

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

Ailish among the stones

See my About Page here

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