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:

Pine marten text

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:

pine marten

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

Culbin Forest path

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.

stone in Culbin Forest

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.

Culbin Forest

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

Lost in Ancient Woodlands

The Mermaid and the Bear

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… 

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

New Books and Special Offers

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feet

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Beautiful Trees Seen on a Walk

beautiful trees: a copper beech

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:

beautiful trees: a horse chestnut

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

horse chestnut flower

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

peony

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

Tendu by Ailish Sinclair

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

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

About Page

Ailish Sinclair romps in the loch

See my About Page here

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Huge Tree, Tiny Flower

huge tree, tiny flower
huge tree, tiny flower

Huge Tree

I visited one of my favourite trees at the weekend, the twisty beech at Aden Country Park. And there, nestled at its great foot, was a tiny flower, a primrose.

Tiny Flower

huge beech tree, tiny flower

The tree looked particularly glorious last autumn, and here it was, in spring, wearing a tiny flower on its toe.

On Past the River Ugie

tree by River Ugie

On I went, past other big trees, and the old cattle creep (built for cows to pass under the road)…

cattle creep at Aden Park

From Trees to Stones

Then, another favourite: Aikey Brae Recumbent Stone Circle.

Aikey Brae Recumbent Stone Circle

I made a bookish TikTok while I was there, turning slowly round in the middle of the circle.

@ailishsinclair

The night before Ariel, a sixteen-year-old girl with a deformed hand, starts at the most prestigious dance school in Scotland, her mother tries to k**l her. Torn from a life where she never fitted in, Ariel quickly becomes the focus of a reality TV show. In the castle school, she forms deep friendships and meets Alexander, the best looking boy she’s ever seen. Together, they unravel the mysteries of the castle’s shadows and confront the demons of Ariel’s past. Can she rise above a lifetime of pain and embrace the possibilities of fame and love that beckon to her? ‘Ariel: Dancing on TV’ is a mesmerising tale of resilience and the pursuit of a brighter future against all odds. #booktok #booktokseries #ballet #contemporaryromance #stonecircle #scotlandtiktok

♬ fairy’s cry – r1naq

Alexander will inherit the castle in a couple of weeks, and then it’s done. The series is complete. It feels strange, like an exhale or a relaxation, or maybe a shock. But I’ll get over it, and write on…

Alexander: Dancing With Fire

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

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

About Page

Ailish among the stones

Read all about little old me here

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Witches’ Brooms in the Trees

Looking for witches' brooms in the woods

The witches’ brooms of this post are actually deformities in trees, often caused by a fungus. I rather like them, both their appearance and their name, probably because of interests like this. However, none are to be found on the gnarly, wizened hazel trees by the loch.

We have to venture deeper into the wood, and gaze up at the high branches of the birches, for that.

Witches’ Brooms

There they are!

witches' brooms on birch trees

They are often mistaken for nests.

Witches’ Knickers

No witches’ knickers today. And that’s good, as those are just plastic bags caught in trees or on fences, and not photogenic at all.

Historical Novel Society Review

Sisters at the Edge of the World cover

SISTERS has been reviewed for the Historical Novel Society here.

“The setting is ethereal and spellbinding as our main characters walk a fine line between what has been and what is to come. A beautiful tale of ancient wonders and kindred souls.”

Most highlighted bit of the book:

quote from SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD by Ailish Sinclair

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

A Witchy Book

The Mermaid and the Bear by Ailish Sinclair - no witches' brooms

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

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 publisher’s 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 

Stone circle quote from The Mermaid and the Bear

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

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

About Page

Ailish Sinclair stares out to sea

Read about little old me here.

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The Alligators and Follies of Pitfour Estate

Summer at Pitfour Estate in Aberdeenshire, Scotland

I’ve visited Pitfour Estate many times over the years. It’s a great place to walk, though less well known than the nearby Aden Park. I have photos from various years and various seasons. That’s summer above. Remember summer?

History of Pitfour Estate

 Autumn at Pitfour Estate.

The estate was purchased  in 1700 by James Ferguson of Badifurrow, who became the first Laird of Pitfour. He and his descendants developed the land, building various bridges and follies. The observatory in Drinnie’s Wood used to be part of the estate too, having been built to watch horse racing on the nearby race track (now a forest).

The Temple of Theseus

One of the follies was a bathhouse built to look like a Temple of Theseus, seen from across the lake below.

Temple of Theseus

The fifth Laird, an extravagant man who liked his luxuries, is said to have kept pet alligators in it. The interior:

The inside of the Temple of Theseus at Pitfour Estate. Home to alligators?

Looking out over the lake from behind the pillars of the temple, on another summer’s day:

Pitfour Lake

Pitfour in the Mist

Pitfour Lake in the mist

The lake is used by a local fishing club today. You often see jumping fish.

Trees at Pitfour Estate

I have a great many pictures, so I intend to share some more of them in my next newsletter: swans, another folly and some more mist. Hopefully that’ll go out in the next few days, if my current writing project releases me for long enough to do it! Go here to sign up for the newsletter.

Mermaid and Fireflies Reviews

Mallee Stanley shared reviews of THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR and FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE on her Read and Write blog recently. “”What makes both these books fascinating reads, is that they are based on dark historical events relating to Aberdeen.” See the whole review here.

Latest Book

SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD features some forbidden romance.

He’s a Roman. She’s a Celt.

Set in 1st century Scotland, this is a story of chosen sisters, fierce warriors, divided loyalties and love.

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

The Romans called it the edge of the world

Writer’s Tip Jar

The Bridge of Alvah and a Naughty Earl

The Bridge of Alvah

Walking to the Bridge of Alvah

As a child, the task of walking to the 18th century Bridge of Alvah, near Banff in Aberdeenshire, was presented as something akin to travelling to Mordor: a journey of such length and difficulty as to render it impossible to your average mortal.

top of bridge

The walk from Duff House (a place with easy parking, swings, art gallery, tearoom and gift shop) to Alvah is actually comprised of just over two miles of well maintained track.

18519059541_6249651afe_z

The other fact about Alvah recalled from childhood is that it is a place of great natural beauty. That is true.

River Deveron

The bridge stands huge and majestic – it is a bit ‘Lord of the Rings’ after all – over a deep gorge and the River Deveron.

18519324271_69d85423bb_z

A Mystery Window

I was most intrigued by the Gothic window and the many little hooks, just about discernible below.

side of the bridge

The Naughty Earl

Googling revealed that there was a room for a toll collector within the bridge. This explains the window, though how a person got in there is not so clear. Either the door has been sealed or there was something Rapunzel-like going on. Local legend has it that the room was used by a (married) Earl to entertain young ladies, so perhaps it was kept semi-secret. The Earl’s wife reportedly shot him.

The hooks remain a mystery.

In summary: go visit the Bridge of Alvah; it’s well worth the two mile trek. Not an orc in sight!

bridge from below

See the post about the Mausoleum for more on the grounds of Duff House.

The Secret Room Update

We revisited the bridge in autumn and were given permission to access the Earl’s secret room/love nest. This involved a somewhat steep and scary climb down the bank of the river.

It was worth it. The room is beautiful.

earlsroom (540x540)
earlsroom2

Naughty Dancers Instead of Earls

Book covers of A Dancer's Journey series by Ailish Sinclair: celebratory dance.

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 dance background and love of history and spicy stories are what inspired this heady 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.

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

Series on Amazon UK

Series on Amazon worldwide

Historical Fiction

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

books by Ailish Sinclair

“Ethereal and spellbinding….” Historical Novel Society

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

Newsletter

Go here to sign up for my (roughly monthly) newsletter. It’s a more intimate space than the blog and always includes some exclusive photos. If you would like to hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.

About Page

Ailish in the stones

Read all about little old me here!

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Big Trees, Blue Skies

big trees

Of all of the big trees I know, the twisty beech at Aden Country Park is one of the most beautiful. I love the intricate nature of its trunk.

big trees at Aden Park

There’s a tiny squirrel there under the, also slightly twisted, copper beeches.

river and big trees

The river winds slowly through the lower parts of the park, flanked by more big trees as it goes.

big trees and path

Colder temperatures are predicted from tomorrow. Autumn is coming to an end. It’s been a great one, this year, though. Leafy and golden and bright.

autumn leaves

The Manteith Collection

The Manteith Collection by Ailish Sinclair

The Manteith Collection comprises THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR and FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE. The books do not have to be read in order.

The Mermaid and the Bear

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.

Paperback and kindle on Amazon

View full book detail page here

“A delight from end to end…” Undiscovered Scotland

Fireflies and Chocolate, the new historical novel from Ailish Sinclair

Fireflies and Chocolate

When Elizabeth is torn out of her isolated life in a Scottish castle, she 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!

The story 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.

Paperback and kindle on Amazon

View full book detail page here

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

big trees and a dry stane dyke

Newsletter

Go here to sign up for my newsletter. It’s a more intimate space than the blog and always includes some exclusive photos. If you would like to hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.

About

Ailish Sinclair romps in the loch

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Calm and Steadfast like a Tree

steadfast like a tree

That’s how I feel today. Calm. Steadfast. A little like a tree.

I’m back in the place where I’m happy. Writing. Of course, writing.

Steadfast Writing Update

A Dancer’s Journey is basically complete. The third and final title comes out next week, and I’m now working on the connected series. These are gentler books, shorter books, so they can be cheaper books, and they feel peaceful somehow. Easier. There’s no dramatic violence or explicit naughtiness, though the characters are dealing with dark issues from their pasts. I’ll still be adding a wee content warning on them, vague again so as not to cause harm to those who shouldn’t even read certain words.

And then, once that series is out – my autoimmune body will have its say on the timing of that – I can write something new.

There’s another witchy historical beckoning, but I also love writing contemporary. So both may have to happen…

A Witchy Historical

If you like castles, Scotland, history, witches, stone circles and Christmas done medieval-style, you might like THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR. There’s also a love story.

Paperback and kindle on Amazon

View the full book detail page here

“A delight from end to end…” from Undiscovered Scotland

Recent article from Neil Drysdale in the Press and Journal: Should we really have fun at Halloween when the north-east led the great execution of witches? 

About Page

Ailish's feet

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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

A Week of Woodland Walks

Scottish woodland, autumn

I’ve been breathing in beauty on recent woodland walks. Mild weather is extending and enriching the colour palette of the season here in Scotland.

Scottish woodland - leaves and berries

There have been storms, but it’s still bright and leafy out there.

Scottish woodland walks

Sometimes the sky is grey. Sometimes the trees are silver and gold.

silver birches

Sunshine blasts through, highlighting the brilliant bronze shades of the leaves, and I slow my stride. I stop, overwhelmed and delighted all at once. It’s almost too much. Nature is audacious and bold and completely glorious.

Humbled and blessed, I take a deep breath and walk on.

sunshine on trees: Scottish woodland

More Woodland Walks

The Mermaid and the Bear

The Mermaid and the Bear by Ailish Sinclair

If you like castles, Scotland, history, witches, stone circles and Christmas done medieval-style, you might like THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR. There’s also a love story.

Paperback and kindle on Amazon

View full book detail page here

“A delight from end to end.” Undiscovered Scotland

About Page

ballet feet of Ailish Sinclair

See my About Page

Newsletter

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.

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Running into the Forest…

into the trees

I walk into the forest along the gnarly loch-side path.

into the forest

Most of the leaves have fallen now – we’ve had that first frost – but I spy something golden and bright at the end of the tunnel.

I run towards it.

into the forest

And I go right in.

into the forest

Back against the trunk…

beech leaves in autumn

Look up:

golden canopy

And breathe…

into the forest...

More posts that go into the forest

Tendu: Dancing in the Castle

Dance, danger and desire collide in TENDU, a seductive tale set in the mystical landscape of Scotland. Will love conquer all?

Amazon UK

Amazon worldwide

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.

Newsletter

Keep up to date with all my news, leafy and otherwise, by signing up to the mailing list. It’s a more intimate space than the blog and always contains some exclusive photos. If you would like to hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.

About Page

Ailish in the stones

Read all about little old me here!

Writer’s Tip Jar