
by Janet Marsh from the Highland Bookshop Mysteries
Greetings, on a beautiful summer day, from Inversgail, my adopted hometown on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands. That sounds like pure bliss, doesn’t it? It is. Inversgail is a gem with a natural harbor, white sand beaches, and water warmed by the Gulf Stream. Hills rise behind the charming houses and shops creating a picturesque backdrop perfect for photographers and hillwalkers.
Even the rain is charming in Inversgail, which is good because it rains fairly often. I heard something recently that might explain all the rain—if you see a cat washing its ears, then rain is on the way. If that’s true, then the cats of Inversgail must have the cleanest ears in creation.
Do you know how many Scots words there are for describing rain? Here are a few: Black weet, blatter, blaw bye, and dreep. Dribble, drouk, onding, and peuch. Plype, saft, scudder, and smirr. There are more, too, and I’ve heard some of them, but not all. I’m going to start keeping track, though. It’ll be a life list like birders keep. You could almost put them to music and dance a jig.
Someone
asked me, the other day, if I could go anywhere at all on holiday, where would it
be? Quite honestly, even though we’ve been here a few months now, the “on
holiday” feeling hasn’t worn off. I’m sure it will, though, and maybe
sooner than I’d like if what I’ve heard about Daphne Wood is true. She’s the
author coming to Inversgail for a three-month author-in-residence program. Her
reputation for being eccentric has a few people worried. Hmmm. But Daphne doesn’t
arrive until the end of August, and we have the whole summer ahead of us, so
let’s celebrate with a giveaway!
For
a chance to win a signed copy of Plaid and Plagiarism, Highland Bookshop
Mystery #1, leave a comment below, telling me where you’d like to go on
holiday. Be sure to include your email address. I’ll choose one comment, at
random, to win, at 10:00 a.m. on 6/25.
Watch for Scones and Scoundrels, Highland Bookshop Mystery #2, coming in January 2018 (available for pre-order now).
A
body outside a pub, a visiting author determined to find the killer, and a
murderously good batch of scones . . .
Molly MacRae is the author of the award-winning, national bestselling Haunted Yarn Shop Mysteries and the Highland Bookshop Mysteries. Visit Molly on Facebook and Pinterest, connect with her on Twitter @mysteryMacRae, or find her the first Monday of each month at Amy Alessio’s Vintage Cookbooks and Crafts.
I would like to go on holiday to Scotland. Thanks for the chance :)
ReplyDeletejslbrown2009 at aol dot com
Make plans! You won't be disappointed.
DeleteUsing London as my base I'd like to travel throughout Great Britain for 6 months or so. I wish!!
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Wouldn't that be a fantastic trip? I hope you get your wish someday!
DeleteLove your list of rain words! I think the Irish gave up trying a long time ago. The best Irish expression I know is "it's a soft day," which translates to "it's raining (but not too hard)." I may need to borrow "dreep."
ReplyDeleteSoft is such a good description. I've always liked dreich, too, and raining stair rods. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteHave always wanted to visit Scotland. Your book sounds great.
ReplyDeleteThank you! And you should definitely make plans for Scotland. You'll never forget your time there.
DeleteScotland sounds wonderful. I'd love to visit.
ReplyDeletejudytucker1947@gmail.com
Go! You'll love it.
DeleteItaly is my dream come true. What a wonderful book. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteItaly is wonderful. I'd love to spend a few seasons in Tuscany. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI would love to visit Scotland someday. Thanks for the chance. Maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteScotland is lovely. Make plans!
DeleteI would love to travel to Scotland. Thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteYou'll thoroughly enjoy yourself when go. :)
DeleteI would love to travel to Sicily. With your book. Thanks for the chance to win! aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Sicily, but would love to go. I've been to Florence, Venice, Turin, Milan, and now I'll have to go to Sicily!
DeleteEngland and Scotland as I never got the chance to make the trip with my Mom before she passed.
ReplyDeletekaren(dot)kenyon(at)rogers(dot)com
Do it for her, then, Karen. You won't regret it. Thanks for stopping by, today.
DeleteWhile I'd love to travel the world and revisit Israel where I have family. I've always wanted to visit the British Isles. I have friends over there that I only "speak" to online and once in a blue moon by phone.
ReplyDeleteThis year though we're going back up to Cape Cod to relax and enjoy the sites we misses on our last three vacations there. We're also staying at a hotel that is centrally located and I made friends with the manager.
NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com
Cape Cod is wonderful! I've been there once and would love to go back. Wave across the ocean, while you're there, and I'll wave back from Inversgail. :)
DeleteI'd love to visit the castles and cottages of Scotland and England. Stonehenge too. Possibly see the sights and walk in the same place of some of my ancestors.
ReplyDeletevernagass@gmail.com
Then you should! Stonehenge is really cool. The castles, too, of course. I hope you get to take your trip!
DeleteAlaska or England
ReplyDeleteI've heard Alaska is gorgeous because when God was finished making the world, he took all the bits of leftover beauty and tossed them there. I love that idea, and I'd love to see it. I hope you get to go to Alaska AND England!
DeleteNew Orleans! lkleback@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteOne of my bucket list places to visit, too!
DeleteMy grandfather was a Henderson. I'd love to visit Scotland. bobwiesmann(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI met Hamish Henderson, considered to be the father of Scotland's post-war Folk Revival, years ago in Edinburgh. Are you related? He was so cool!
DeleteMy dream would be Australia but that's such a long
ReplyDeletetrip and I don't have anybody who can take the time
to go with me. I would love to go to Scotland.
I've been to Ireland and it was beautiful. I know
Scotland will be wonderful too.
thanks for the offer of the books.
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
Australia and New Zealand - I'd love to visit both places. I hope you get to Scotland someday!
DeleteI would love to do Australia and New Zealand!
ReplyDeleteI would, too! Thanks for stopping by, today.
DeleteMy list of places I want to visit is quite long. Scotland is on that list, though I may have to settle for visiting by way of a book. Maybe Plaid and Plagiarism? A girl can dream. Thank you for taking part in this month of giveaways. robbfan141729(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with dreaming! Thanks for stopping by today.
DeleteGrand Canyon.
ReplyDeletecjreynolds52(at)comcast(dot)net
I'd like to see that. I'd like to hike down to the bottom. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI would love to go to Sf area and visit my family it's been over 4 years and i miss my kids and grandkids so that is the only place i want to go! peggy clayton ptclayton2@aol.com
ReplyDeleteSan Francisco is wonderful all by itself, but with kids and grandkids there, it would be a perfect vacation. I hope you get to go before too much longer.
DeleteI don't know where I would want to go. There are so many amazing and interesting places out there. Thank you so much for the chance to win!
ReplyDeletemagicgirl2357@yahoo.com
I know what you mean. Every time I hear someone describe a trip to a place I haven't been, I immediately want to go.
DeleteI think I would love to go to Scotland. I've never been there and it sounds beautiful and looks beautiful from your picture, too. Thank you for the chance. Sharon catwoman-1(at)comcast(dot)net
ReplyDeleteIf you get the chance, you should go. It's breathtaking.
DeleteThere are a lot of places I'd like to visit. Australia is one of them. turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteDefinitely on my list of places to go. I wonder if we'll ever make it?
DeleteI would love to see France and Italy. England and Scotland would also be fun! Maybe one day. acate9(at)utk(dot)edu
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed visits to France and Italy. Brittany is lovely. So is the south of France. And Florence and Venice! I hope you get to see them!
DeleteIf I was able to travel I would love to visit my cousin Carol in Aukland New Zealand. We spent much of our youth together he as adults we were separated by distance only. Thank goodness for the internet and prior to that letters and phone calls, but I would love to see where she had lived for 50 years.
ReplyDeleteCynthia
ceblain AT tmlponline DOT net
Oh, I wish you could get there, too! It sounds like you'd have such a great reunion. Thanks for stopping by, today.
DeleteI would like to visit Scotland or Ireland, the lands of shetland and welsh ponies. Thanks for the contest! monstercreed1@yahoo.com
ReplyDeletePonies! They're adorable. I hope you get to take your trip someday.
DeleteI would love to visit the British Isles.
ReplyDeletejtcgc at yahoo dot com
Then I think you should. :)
DeleteLove to visit Ireland and Scotland. duduerst(at)tds(dot)net.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful places. Thanks for stopping by today.
Delete"a murderously good batch of scones"
ReplyDeleteThat gives a new meaning to wicked good!
libbydodd at comcast dot net
LOL! Thanks, Libby!
DeleteLove to go to Europe & visit Scotland, Ireland, Italy, and Spain. Elisanabby at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a wonderful trip!
DeleteI'd love to go to a nice warm place in the winter on holiday---maybe Hawaii or Bahama Island.
ReplyDeletesuefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I hear you, Sue. Warm in the the winter, cool in the summer. Aaaahhh.
DeleteI would like to to visit the United Kingdom, Scotland and Ireland. I would love to visit all of the historical sites.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
That would be a wonderful trip, Dianne. Start planning!
DeleteThat's interesting about cats! Thank you donamaekutska7@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteIsn't that a fun idea? And it works in Scotland, because cats are always washing their ears and it rains so often.
DeleteNew Orleans sounds interesting to me.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it? I'd like a food tour of New Orleans.
DeleteNew Orleans sounds interesting to me.
ReplyDeleteBlackpool England
ReplyDeleteI've always loved that name. I hope you get there and have a great time!
DeleteI would like to go on holiday to Hawaii - volcanoes, waterfalls, beautiful beaches, and even whale watching would be delightful!
ReplyDeleterebarger(at)bellsouth(dot)net
That sounds like a wonderful trip! I hope you get the chance to go.
DeleteI've always wanted to see Ireland since I have Irish heritage, but the whole UK would be fantastic. Thanks for the chance to win. suemngirl(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI've flown over Ireland and love the way it looks like a quilt. Someday I'll get over there. I hope you do, too.
DeleteIf I had a chance to go on holiday, I would love to take a trip on the Royal Scotsman.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great reads.
auntycharlene54@gmail.com
That would be a fun trip. I love train trips. Thanks for your kind words, Charlene. :)
DeleteAustralia, Scotland, and many of the national parks in the USA.
ReplyDeletekckendler at gmail dot com
Great choices!
DeleteI have not had a vacation in 5 years. I dream of going to Scotland the land of my people. I would love to see the dales , the churches, eat good Scottish traditional food and take long brisk walks across the land meeting local people. To walk in a real pub and have a pub lunch! To see the architecture would be dreamy and to see the ancient cemeteries. My family dates back before Robert the Bruce so it would be a dream come true. L email abeachlifesc (at) yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful dream you have. Dreams to come true, and after five years with no vacation, it sounds like you're due. Good luck!
DeleteOh gosh if I could choose it would definitely be the U.K. and Scotland would be on the top of the list along with Devon, England. My Ancestors are Scots.. we were at Culloden and that's how Dad's family ended up here. Not stealing sheep as he used to joke! Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Devon for Devon cream! It sounds like you have a wonderful itinerary already planned. I hope your wish comes true and you get to make the trip.
DeleteI have been fortunate enough to have lived and traveled around the world, and there are many places I would love to re-visit. However, my real fantasy trip is someplace I have never been: I would LOVE to spend time in the Shetland Islands, to see the magical puffins on Fair Isle in August and, my true fantasy, to attend the Shetland Wool Festival in September/October and get to meet some of the the greatest knitters, spinners, designers, and sheep in the world! Ahhhhhh......the wool.....
ReplyDeleteChiming in from the Blue Plum (the Haunted Yarn Shop Mysteries) - may I go with you, Mary? I would love to make a whole trip out of the Edinburgh Wool Festival, the Loch Ness Knit Fest, and the Shetland Wool Festival. Bliss!
DeleteRoad trip!!!
DeleteScotland, Ireland, and England would all be great but I am also hoping to see the Grand Canyon one day. Thanks for a chance to do some armchair traveling.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Any and all of those places would make great vacation trips. Happy travels, one way or the other.
DeleteI would love to see Scotland, Ireland and England. Thanks for this giveaway!
ReplyDeleteConnie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Holiday Destination? I would love to travel to Great Britain...the Cotswolds, Scottish Highlands, ancient stone circles and walls, tea shops, pubs, and castles. This is #1-20 on my Bucket List!
ReplyDeletekat8762(at)aol(dot)com
Great bucket list! I hope you get to mark all of them off.
DeleteIf I was brave enough to fly I would love to visit Scotland and Ireland. Where my ancestors came from.
ReplyDeleteAh, fear of flying. Can you get someone braver to go with you? It would be so worth it! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI want to visit Scotland, Ireland, and the U.K. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of your book.
ReplyDeletec ecilialyoung(@)gmail.com
Make plans, and stop by Inversgail while you're there. :)
DeleteThere are so many places I want to go. Alaska, Yellowstone, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, the whole shebang
ReplyDeleteWendy Clark
clarksrfun at gmail dot com