Doune Castle near Stirling has starred in Monthy Python & the Holy Grail and the pilot episode of Games of Thrones. In Starz TV’s adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s phenomenally successful Outlander novels, Doune plays Castle Leoch. As itself, this mighty mediaeval Scottish castle played host to a daring escape of prisoners in January 1746. One of those men was...
I had a lovely time during Book Week Scotland which runs through the last week in November. I gave talks in a couple of Aberdeenshire’s Libraries, including New Pitsligo and Balmedie. There was a great turn-out at both and some really interesting questions. New Pitsligo was a very appropriate place to talk about the gallant Lord Pitsligo of...
I have to confess that I’m a wee bit in love with Alexander Forbes, 4th Lord Pitsligo. He was a scholar, a gentleman and man of honour. He fought in the ’15 and went out again in 1745, despite being 67 years old and a chronic asthmatic. He was a great asset to Bonnie Prince...
I’ll be speaking at two libraries in Aberdeenshire during this year’s Book Week Scotland. At these events I’ll be concentrating on my non-fiction and novels on the Jacobites of 1745 and talking about my research, inspiration and passion for the subject. Monday 24th November, New Pitsligo Library, 2.30-4.00 pm. Thursday 27th November, Balmedie Library,...
I was 10 or 11 when my father first took me to Culloden. Just east of Inverness, this is the site of the last battle fought on British soil, where Redcoats under the command of the Duke of Cumberland defeated the Jacobite army of Bonnie Prince Charlie. On Wednesday 16th April 1746, the Stuart...