Friday, January 24, 2014

The Magic of Scotland by Helen Scott Taylor

I love travelling vicariously through books and some of my favorite reads are those set in romantic places where the setting is brought to life so vibrantly it is nearly a character in the story.

I am one fourth Scottish and Scotland is a place I love to read about, especially the Highlands. (Can't beat men in kilts ☺)There is so much history there with the castles standing watch over the lochs and cloud-topped mountains. I've been researching this area for my latest Army Doctor's books and learned a lot about Scottish Mountain Rescue. These brave souls are all unpaid volunteers who have expertise in mountain climbing and winter sports. They often risk their lives to save others—true heroes.

I love visiting historic manor houses and castles. Luckily for me we have plenty of these dotted all over the UK. Many in England are owned and managed by the National Trust, but in Scotland I discovered that often the manor houses and castles are still owned by the aristocracy. They do something that I haven't come across in England (apart from Buckingham Palace), they live in the historic properties, but still open them to the public.

The last time I visited Scotland, a few years ago, my husband and I visited Floors Castle in the Scottish Borders, home to the Duke of Roxburghe. It was a strange experience walking around the castle and noticing the personal possessions of the family scattered around. One could easily imagine walking around the corner and bumping into the duke—great inspiration for a story!

Even the traditional Scottish faire sounds wonderful. Here's a recipe that particularly took my fancy.

Chicken in the Heather

Ingredients:
One whole chicken, minus giblets
Just under half a cup of light cooking oil
Half a cup of clear heather honey
Salt and pepper (freshly ground black pepper if you have it)
3 ounces of French mustard
Half teaspoon curry powder
One clove chopped garlic

Method:
Place the chicken in an oven-proof dish. Mix all the other ingredients together and pour over the chicken. Cover the dish and cook in a pre-heated oven at 375F/190C/Gas Mark 4 for an hour. Baste the chicken thoroughly with the juices and sauce and return to the oven for another half hour uncovered to brown. Serve with boiled or creamed potatoes and fresh vegetables.

~ * ~
 
Helen Scott Taylor won the American Title IV contest in 2008. Her winning book was published in 2009 to critical acclaim, and was a Booklist top ten romance for 2009. Since then, she has published other novels, novellas, and short stories in both the UK and USA. Helen's latest book is set in Scotland! The Army Doctor's New Year's Baby is #4 in her series. Helen lives in South West England near Plymouth in Devon between the windswept expanse of Dartmoor and the rocky Atlantic coast. As well as her wonderful, long-suffering husband, she shares her home with a Westie a Shih Tzu and a burmilla cat. Find Helen on FaceBook and Twitter, or visit her website.

28 comments:

  1. Oh, I love those photographs, Helen! What a spectacular setting. Shall we be seeing it in you next book? I'm researching Belgian castles to find just the right one in which to house the heroine of my next book, so I was in a castle frame of mind already when I came to your post.
    Is this a Scottish recipe you had on your trip? Sounds yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Milou, my current series has moved to Scotland at the moment, and I'm drawing on my various visits there over the years for material. Also the internet, of course! Belgian castles sound interesting. I have never been to Belgian. I did visit some wonderful castles in Germany, especially Neuschwanstein. That's a subject for another blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love Neuschwanstein! I went with my parents when I was just a little girl but will never forget it. Totally the ultimate fairytale castle!

      Delete
  3. I love Scotland. When I went to Edinburgh, I found a shop where they sold my family's clan colors. It's a small clan so I didn't know if I would find out anything about the clan. Your research sounds like fun--especially the field trips.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know, I have never thought to look for my clan colors! The Scott tartan is lovely, the classic red and green. Thank you for mentioning this!

      Delete
  4. What lovely photos, and what a great blog! It sounds like you've had some very exciting -- and inspirational -- travels, Helen! Love the chicken recipe. Not sure if we can get heather honey here. But I'll look for a substitute. Sounds yummy for a cold winter's eve.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't tried the recipe yet, but keep meaning to. Perhaps I should have road tested it before I posted it on the blog!

      Delete
  5. I would love to walk through an old castle ... the more untouched by time, the better! One of these days maybe I'll get across the pond and do it.

    The chicken sounds wonderful ... so simple and hearty.

    Thanks for a lovely post, Helen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love castles, but I think I prefer the manor houses. There are some fabulous ones near where I live still furnished with the original furniture. Some are medieval. I love the sense of walking in the footsteps of those who have gone before. Really gives a sense of history.

      Delete
  6. My brother was in Scotland last year and went to where our ancestors came from, near Edinburgh, and loved it!! I've never been but really should start thinking about. BTW the honey in that recipe looks interesting... am definitely going to try it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've not visited Edinburgh, but would love to. Hubby and I always end up in the country places rather than the cities.

      Delete
  7. Your blog evokes wonderful images. Scotland is one place I'm definitely going to visit. My ancestors came from there a couple of hundred years ago and it's always attracted me. I named my youngest son after the hero of a Scottish-set historical romance -- though I've never told him that. I'm absolutely going to try that chicken recipe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm laughing. Your son would probably be mortified to know he's named after a romance novel hero! Mine certainly would. What a fun idea.

      Delete
  8. We were fortunate to experience a home exchange in Glasgow, Scotland, a few years ago. Our Scottish friends, whom we never met, stayed at our home in South Carolina. Our experience in Scotland was pure magic. Yes, it rained every day, but the people and places were perfect. I'd return to Scotland in a heartbeat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good old Scottish weather! It's the same in England, Wales and Ireland. I think the Irish call it juicy when it continually rains. I guess we have that to thank for the green and pleasant land. Love the idea of a house swap, but that means I'd have to tidy up!

      Delete
  9. Lovely blog, Helen. I look forward to reading some of your stories set in Scotland. Absolutely loved the boxed set "Merry Christmas Romance!" I've always wanted to visit your part of the world. Maybe someday...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We certainly have plenty of history here. One of my favorite pastimes is visiting historic houses. I should be an historical romance writer. I manage to incorporate lots of old places in my contemporary romances instead.

      Delete
  10. My great grandmother was born in Scotland. I love the sound of the chicken, but wonder if it would taste as good with the local clover honey.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Funny how many of us have Scots in among our ancestors. Those Scots certainly got around! I'm sure clover honey would work just fine.

      Delete
    2. There must be something in the Scott genes that makes for such a high concentration of you in a writers' group - look at all the famous authors from Edinburgh!

      Delete
  11. Wonderful blog. I loved hearing about your travels. Castles are my favorite thing. I collect little replicas, snowglobes and pictures. At least I did when I didn't have kids and could travel. I want to make the chicken recipe too. I wonder if infusing local honey with heather would work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is something inherently romantic and mysterious about castles. I think any good quality honey would work. Might have a slightly different flavor I guess, but it wouldn't make much difference.

      Delete
  12. Wonderful pictures Helen! Scotland and Ireland are two places I'd love to visit. Thanks for sharing...Laura

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Laura. I've been to Ireland a few times as well. It is very much like England, green and wet LOL.

      Delete
  13. What a lovely post, Helen! I studied in Edinburgh and can very much relate! Besides, I got married in Edinburgh as well, so Scotland will forever remain a very special memory. If only the weather was different! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure you know more about Edinburgh than I do if you studied there. Did you marry a Scotsman?

      Delete
  14. The recipe sounds delicious Helen! And I loved your post about Scotland. I loved the TV series set in the Highlands a few years back. We'll be traveling there this spring, and I can't wait!! In the meantime, I will be looking for your books on Amazon!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm also part Scot. Would love to visit there!

    ReplyDelete