In Celebration of Burns Night

This week, we’re leading up to Burns Night, which is celebrated all over the world on January 25^th. Our national bard is one of the characters in the historical chapters of The Highland Lass. Although that's more about Highland Mary's story, Robert Burns does of course figure in it since he was Mary Campbell's great love. There's also a quote from Burns at the top of each historical chapter.

I’m a fan of his poems and songs, finding so much wisdom about human nature in them. As well as being a farmer and poet, Burns was also a popular figure of the Edinburgh Enlightenment, perfectly at home in the salons of Edinburgh in the second half of the eighteenth century.

When the crops on his farm failed, he also became an Exciseman in 1789, or a 'poor damn’d rascally gager', as he called himself. He had mixed feelings about such an unpopular post but needed a paying job, though it didn't stop him writing a song called The Deil's awa wi' the Exciseman. Here's a sample mentioning some of the popular dances of the time:

“There’s threesome reels, there’s foursome reels,

There’s hornpipes and strathspeys, man,

But the ae best dance that cam’ tae the land

Was the de’ils awa’ wi’ the Exciseman.”

It's remarkable to think that this humble farmer poet from Ayrshire is not only remembered in Scotland but is celebrated so well in other countries. I suspect that those who claim Scots ancestry probably make more of Burns Night than many of us do at home!

We might not all like haggis, although it's quite tasty with mashed potatoes and turnip, but I'm sure many a person will be willing to raise a wee dram to the poet's memory on Burns Night. And if you do happen to attend a Burns Supper, you'll no doubt hear the Address to the Haggis, after it's brought to the table on a silver platter accompanied by the sound of the bagpipes. It begins:

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face, 

Great chieftain o the puddin'-race!

Aboon them a' ye tak your place,

Painch, tripe, or thairm:

Weel are ye worthy o' a grace

As lang's my arm.

Slàinte Mhath! Good health!

Rosemary

The Highland Lass and Burns Night

This week, we're heading towards Burns Night in Scotland on 25th January, although the birthday of our national bard is also celebrated all over the world.

As well as being a poet, Burns was also a farmer (for a time) and an exciseman. I've written a few articles about him which were published in The Highlander Magazine in the USA, now included in my Scottish Collection of non-fiction. By all accounts, he was a fascinating, charismatic man with an eye for the ladies.

I was always most interested in one of his 'loves', known as Highland Mary, especially since she is buried in the cemetery of my home town where I'd visited her huge gravestone on many occasions. That early interest never left me and it eventually resulted in the 'novel of my heart', The Highland Lass, a few years ago. Originally published by Crooked Cat Books, it became a kindle number one best seller on Amazon UK, to my great delight.

I've since republished The Highland Lass when the rights reverted to me and it's still a special novel in my eyes. Partly because it's a kind of homage to the beautiful Clyde coast where I grew up and partly because it's a different type of novel from any I'd written before. Instead of either only contemporary, or only historical, it combines both!

The contemporary sections follow Eilidh Campbell as she returns to Scotland to seek the identity of her father, and finds family secrets along the way. She also is keen to find out if the Mary Campbell of Highland Mary fame is an ancestress. The alternate historical chapters are told in the 18th century Mary Campbell's own voice as she meets and falls for her poet farmer.

If you enjoy the poetry of Robert Burns, you might like the quotes at the top of each contemporary chapter! I'd like to write another dual timeline novel at some point but the idea is only a tiny seed at the moment and will have to await its gestation.

“Nae gentle dames, tho’ e’er sae fair,

Shall ever be my muse’s care;

Their titles a’ are empty show,

Gie me my highland lassie, O.”

(Robert Burns: The Highland Lassie)

Rosemary

New Scottish Collection

Now that we're more settled here again after all the decorating, new carpets and deciding where all the pictures were going (too many!) we're making a point of visiting interesting places on at least one day at the weekend. Also getting the garden a bit more manageable and very grateful it's easier than our previous one, although some of it has grown a bit out of control!

I'm trying to get my writing projects gradually organised, although I always work better in the autumn and winter. The first to be completed is my new Scottish Collection of historical non-fiction articles. I've been a contributor to The Highlander magazine in America for many years and I thought it a bit of a waste having all these articles lying in a computer file. I've just had another article accepted by the editor (not in this collection) so will probably write more in between the fiction.

I have now put together fifteen articles, many of them previously published, in the hope that others might find some of them interesting. They are all about different aspects of Scottish heritage and history, from Robert Burns and James Watt, to castles and steam trains and such like. More than one has inspired my fiction, or ideas for future stories.

I always provide my own photographs as illustration for the published articles and I've used one of those, Dumbarton Castle, for my cover. Some of the other photos are now on my website, if you want to have a look at them. I might add more once I've reduced the high resolution they had needed for the magazine print. The kindle Scottish Collection is now available on Amazon worldwide and I might eventually get around to publishing a print version if I think anyone would want to read it.

Now it's a matter of keeping up the momentum and trying to finish the next couple of projects, both of which have been badly neglected of late. At least I'm sorting all the outstanding work into some kind of order and only need the discipline and time to finish them!

Rosemary

Notebooks, Newsletter and Robert Burns

I saw a strange idea on a little video on FB the other day about a new type of notebook that seemingly can be re-used by putting the notebook in the microwave to erase the words. If you’re anything like me and all other writers I know, that is NOT a good idea!

I love my notebooks. Even when I have too many, it’s reassuring to know they’re ready and waiting in my drawer when I find the right use for each one. All those blank pages and beautiful covers – lovely to look at but practical too. So, no, I don’t know any writer who will be rushing to try a reusable one!

Before January is over (gulp!), I’ve sent out my latest newsletter. As always, if you wish to receive a copy, you can pop your email address in the box on the right hand side of the blog. There’s the chance for subscribers to win a copy of a wee book of Robert Burns poems to mark Burns Night on January 25^th.

I’ve written a few articles about Burns over the past few years that were published in the American magazine The Highlander and a long-time fascination was with Highland Mary, one of the many females associated with him - and he had many! But several of his poems were dedicated to Mary Campbell, seemingly with a sense of remorse at how things ended.

That was the main reason I wrote The Highland Lass, so I could tell their story from 1785-6 in Mary’s fictionalised voice. She is buried in the cemetery of my hometown and I had passed her grave since childhood. Obviously, she got under my skin until the day I finally wrote her story!

However, the contemporary part of the novel is as much homage to Inverclyde with its beautiful scenery beside the river. And of course their story takes my modern couple on a journey of their own to other parts of the west coast. This was truly the book of my heart.

Happy Burns Night on Wednesday!

Rosemary

Man's Inhumanity to Man

With the terrible events in Paris at the weekend, I decided to stay away from social media for most of the time as I didn't want to take part in discussions, or change my profile picture, or have to read various opinions on the subject, and posting anything else seemed too trite and unnecessary. 

It was enough to see and hear what had happened via the news and to quietly grieve for the victims and their families, as I do with every tragedy and atrocity that takes place by accident or design. I don't mind talking about things in person with friends or family but the Internet is too anonymous and too open to misunderstanding. However, I'm sure some people find comfort in online discussion or debate - I just won't join in.

So the only thing I'm going to quote on here is the verse from Robert Burns famous Dirge: 'Man Was Made to Mourn':

"Many and sharp the num'rous ills
Inwoven with our frame!
More pointed still we make ourselves,
Regret, remorse, and shame!
And man, whose heav'n-erected face
The smiles of love adorn, -
Man's inhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn!

The Highland Lass Launch Party!

A huge welcome to the online launch party for my new Scottish novel, The Highland Lass, which is released today by Crooked Cat Publishing and is now available in e-book first across Amazon. The launch party is also happening on Facebook today, if you're on there.

This is the 'book of my heart' as it is mainly set around my own area in the west coast of Scotland and I've rewritten and redrafted it many times over the last few years until I was happy with it. It also received a very good report from the RNA New Writers' Scheme before I was a full member, but I rather neglected it for a while. However, it's been worth the wait to see it now published by Crooked Cat!

First of all, pull up a chair, make yourself comfortable and enjoy a cup of coffee and a yummy pastry while you have look at what's coming up.

Here's the trailer I made which you might enjoy as an alternate blurb - at least it has pictures!

And if you prefer a slightly fuller blurb, here it is:

Eilidh Campbell returns to her Scottish roots from America with one main aim: to discover the identity of her real father. But her mother’s past in Inverclyde is a mystery with family secrets, a book of Robert Burns’ poems with a hidden letter and a photograph link to the Holy Loch at Dunoon when the American Navy were in residence. Was her father the American naval officer in the photo?

Staying with her childhood friend, Kirsty, while searching for answers, Eilidh begins to fall in love with handsome Scot Lewis Grant, but just how free is he? Together they trace the story of Highland Mary and Robert Burns, with its echoes to her mother’s story. In short historical chapters, Highland Mary tells her story from 1785/6 in her own fictionalised voice. From Dunoon, to Ayrshire, with a couple of scenes in Glasgow and Loch Lomond, and culminating in Greenock, Eilidh finds the past is closer than she realises.

I'm going to be giving away a few small Scottish prizes today so let's start with the first question to win a packet of Scottish wild flower seeds (two winners).

Question 1: What is the national emblem of Scotland? (Hint: it's not whisky or tartan!) leave your answer in the comments to be in with a chance.





How about a little snack? These are the famous Tunnocks Tea Cakes - delicious mallow covered in milk chocolate on a biscuit base! Have a glass of juice with it while I look out some Scottish music.






Amongst the venues Eilidh and Lewis visit during the course of the story, one of the most significant for them as their relationship progresses is Loch Lomond. This is a beautiful song to go with the beautiful scenery.

Time for another question to win a tartan pen from Glasgow or a ladies tartan handkerchief - and neither is the tartan in the question!

Question 2: What are the two main colours in the Black Watch Tartan?

For those who are ready for something stronger, how about raising your glass with a wee dram, or sparkling Champagne. And maybe some chocolate to go with it, or a piece of home made fruit cake.

 

While you imbibe, here's a short excerpt from the modern part of the The Highland Lass when Eilidh first meets Lewis Grant:

Finding the memory box had only added to her questions. Apart from the old black journal handed down through the years, and the photograph of her mother with an unknown naval man, it was the note hidden inside a small book of Robert Burns’ poems that had convinced her she must come back to Scotland. Part letter, part verse, the words were branded on her mind.

To my own Highland Lass,                         

Although I loved you deeply, I never loved you wisely,

And though we now must part, you are ever in my heart.

I’ll never stop thinking of you, or loving you both. It was never meant to happen this way. You are so much stronger than I am.

Yours for aye and aye,

R

At first, she thought she had found a rare letter from Robert Burns. Then the flowing black script made her hesitate. It was too modern and the verse too amateurish. But there seemed little doubt that whoever wrote the letter may well have been her natural father.

    “You do know we’re in the air now, don’t you?”

    Hearing the amused, rich Scottish tone, Eilidh frowned and opened her eyes. She hadn’t paid much attention to her travelling companions, apart from a cursory glance to acknowledge they existed; she’d been too busy worrying about take-off. She glared at the owner of the voice, indignant at her thoughts being interrupted. For all he knew she might have been in a deep sleep.

And now for another question to win one of two Celtic bookmarks.

Question 3: Which famous Scottish writer wrote The Waverley novels?

Talking of the Waverley - this is the name of our famous paddle steamer that sails up and down the River Clyde in summer, and further afield. Lewis mentions it to Eilidh at one point as it sometimes leaves from Greenock on its way to Dunoon or Rothesay or other island. One of the other elements in the novel is the mystery surrounding Eilidh's mother and the father she has never known.

During the 1960s and 70s and beyond, the American Navy was based in the Holy Loch and the families descended on the small seaside town of Dunoon. Lots of young men and women, like Eilidh's mother, enjoyed the touch of glamour with the dances both sides of the river - and this provides an improtant strand in the story.

While you imagine sailing on The Waverley, you can listen to some rousing Scottish pipe music.

Do we need some more cakes yet? Here you go.

 

Alternate short chapters of The Highland Lass are set in 1785-6 and are told in Highland Mary's own fictionalised voice. She is one of Robert Burns' great loves, partly because their love was short-lived. I've always been fascinated by her story as she's buried in my home town, Greenock.

 

Here's a short excerpt from the historical part of the novel, when Mary is living in Argyll before she goes to Ayrshire where she will meet Burns:

They say our land is so green because of the vast amount of rainfall but that’s a small
price to pay for such perfection. Besides, I love the rain and its softness against my skin.
One of my favourite games, when I have time, is to kirtle up my long skirts and run against
a light downpour, letting it finger my hair until the strands lie flat against my scalp. Ma
thinks I am soft in the head for liking the rain so much, but it makes me feel clean inside
out.
    “You’ll be catching your death of cold one of these days, my girl. I’ve never seen such
nonsense. I’ll be finding you more work to do if you have a notion for wasting time.” That’s
what Ma says most days.
    There is always more work to be done. With milking the cows, cleaning out the byre,
feeding the pigs and hens, or helping Ma with the baking or looking after the little ones, it is
a rare thing to find a bit of peace. Is that not the trouble with families? Maybe it would be
good to escape for a while, to see what it is like somewhere else. My brother, Robert, is to
go away soon, to the town of Greenock away down on the side of the River Clyde where he
will learn his trade in the great shipyards. At least distant family members live there and
he’ll be glad to be doing men’s work in a busy town. Perhaps I’ll be able to visit him once
he is settled, and become part of the busyness for a time.
    “Mary! Where are you, lass? We have need of you in here for a moment.”
    There! I am summoned to be told my fate. What shall it be? A dairymaid or such like, I
have no doubt.
    “Yes, Ma, I’m here.”
    They are sitting at the big wooden table in the kitchen where Pa is drinking his wee dram
of whisky and Ma is sorting through her sewing cotton and needles for the never-ending
mending. We all grow so quickly that hems are always being taken up for the younger ones
or let down for Robert and me.
    “Pa has secured a post for you, Mary, at a big house in Ayrshire, where a Mr Hamilton
has need of a nursemaid for a while. It will be good for you to get away from these small
parts and mayhap you’ll make a life for yourself down there.”
    Ma’s voice is brusque, but I’m not deceived. That’s her way when she does not want to
show too much emotion, and I hear the slight wistfulness in her voice as though she wished
she could have such a chance to escape.

Each of the modern chapters in the novel is headed with a couple of verses from different Burns poems. One of the most beautiful songs with such lovely sentiments is My Luv's Like a Red, Red Rose. This video is particularly good as it shows a variety of images of Burns and some of his loves.

Time for another question to win a copy of this little book of Robert Burns poems.

Question 4: Who did Burns eventually marry?

I think I've made you work hard enough, so here's a fun quiz that even has answers. To win the final prizes of a magnetic notebook (two winners) or a fridge magnet with one of our Scottish dialect words - Dreich - tell me what the dialect word for child is. Click on the link for the easy peasy quiz!

Easy Peasy Quiz





I'm also featured on Terry Odell's Blog today - please drop by if you have time and find out which new colour I would be!

Well, I hope I've stirred your interest in The Highland Lass. If you should wish to find out what happens to all three women in the three different periods: Eilidh, her mother (Mary), and Highland Mary, you'll find the book available on Amazon UK, US, Canada and Australia and elsewhere and I'd be very grateful to hear what you think of it!

Don't forget to leave the answers to the questions in the comments along with your email address and tell me which prize you would like to win - I'll get my husband to choose the winners at random.

Thank you so much for helping me to celebrate the launch of my new novel.
Rosemary

Celebrating Robert Burns

As many people around the world will know (and not just Scots), Sunday 25th January is Burns Night, when Burns Suppers will be held the length and breadth of Scotland and further afield. If anything, I think it's becoming even more popular these days, and this weekend there's even a huge party taking place on Facebook, hosted by a group of authors. Feel free to join in the fun with all things Scottish!



The pride of place at a Burns Supper is of course the Haggis, or 'Great Chieftain o' the puddin' race', as Burns calls it in his Address to the Haggis. It is normally brought in on a silver platter to the sound of the bagpipes and is pierced at the relevant part of the poem's recitation. Thereafter, you will probably hear toasts such as the Immortal Memory, and Toast to the Lassies, plus songs and poems to celebrate the Bard. And of course the odd wee dram of whisky, or two.

Here's the famous Selkirk Grace which is normally said before the meal:

"Some hae meat and canna eat,

and some wad eat that want it,

but we hae meat and we can eat,

and sae the Lord be thankit."

One of my favourite Burns songs is Ae Fond Kiss, beautifully sung here by the wonderful Eddi Reader.

My forthcoming novel, The Highland Lass, is very much set in Scotland. Although mainly a contemporary novel about family secrets, alternate short chapters from 1785/6 trace the story of Highland Mary, one of Burns' famous loves, and her romantic-tragic relationship with him, in Mary's own fictionalised voice. It is a meaningful story for me as she is buried in my home town and I've known about her since I was a child so I hope I've done her justice.

The most we'll be celebrating the day tomorrow is by having a haggis, neeps and tatties starter!




Enjoy your weekend, however you are spending it.
Rosemary

Snow and Burns

Well, the snow has finally well and truly arrived here at last. We've only had small drifts until today but the back garden is now nicely covered. I know many people are fed up with it all by now, but I love this weather. And it's a great excuse to stay indoors (apart from feeding the birds) and write without guilt. Might even get a short walk later to blow the cobwebs away.

This is Burns Night in Scotland, and it's also celebrated in many parts of the world. I've put a link on the Romancing History blog to the fascinating reconstruction picture of the poet's face, carried out by forensic scientists at the University of Dundee. A little different from the romanticised version!

Here's one of my favourite Robert Burns verses (from Address to the Unco Guid) which reminds us we all make mistakes:

'Then gently scan your brother man,
Still gentler sister woman;
Tho' they may gang a kennin wrang,
To step aside is human.'

Happy Burns Night,
Rosemary

Robert Burns: The Farmer Poet

Happy Burns Day to anyone who is Scottish by birth or persuasion. I thought it might be good to acknowledge that this is our National Bard's annual birthday celebrations. Even in Scotland, Burns' popularity is mixed, although many primary schools still try to instill some knowledge of our famous poet into young minds, just as they did in my day.

I find the man fascinating and he appears in my mainstream novel that is seeking an agent just now. But it is his poetry that continues to inspire many. Apart from the well known Auld Lang Syne that is sung all over the world at New Year, and A Red, Red Rose and Ae Fond Kiss which are two of the most romantic songs, he penned so many wise words that they fill whole books.

Born on January 25th, 1759, Robert Burns started adult life as a farmer in Ayrshire, but his profound understanding of human nature soon catapulted him to fame when his first book of poetry, The Kilmarnock Edition, was published in 1786. The man himself had quite a reputation with the ladies and that sometimes overshadows his sheer genius at describing the human condition, whether with humour or insight.

Tonight, all over Scotland, and in other parts of the world, people will be celebrating a Burns Supper, when kilts and bagpipes and haggis will be on full show. But it is Burns' verse that will take pride of place. Here's the first verse of his humorous Address to the Haggis:

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o' the pudding-race!
Aboon them a' yet tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy o'a grace
As lang's my arm.

See if you can translate it into plain English! I'm putting another bit of history about Burns on my Romancing History blog.

Rosemary