Dear Readers,

Where to begin? I’ve been writing these Author’s Notes for many years now, always assuming/hoping that if you’re anything like me, you’ll appreciate a behind-the-scenes peek at various things encountered in a story.

This is also where I share any fun facts and inspiration that might be of interest.

So here’s a selection of ‘tidbits’ from Master of the Highlands…

~ This book was originally published very early in my career. I’ve made changes here and there so the writing style reflects how I write today.

~ The original cover model was John DeSalvo and the cover model on this edition is Michael Foster. I’ve met both men at conferences and was delighted to discover that they are as nice as they are handsome.

~ Arisaid: A Highland woman’s version a belted great plaid. Outerwear, worn like a cloak or shawl, versatile, can be belted (or not). Earliest arisaids were undyed or white, with broad stripes or a tartan pattern.

~ Iain’s Penance: Pilgrimage was big business in medieval Scotland and Glasgow Cathedral was a highlight of the pilgrimage circuit. St. Kentigern’s shrine can still be visited today and the story’s descriptions of the tomb and its medieval cure-seeking visitors reflect how medieval pilgrims would have experienced such a sacred site. Other saints and places mentioned are likewise real, unless noted here.

Holy wells, springs, healing ponds, glades, trees, crosses, cairns, etc, also drew pilgrims.

~ Iain’s Reliquary: Loosely based on Scotland’s famous Monymusk Reliquary, dated to the 700s and said to have held a relic of St. Columba. Small and ‘purse-like,’ it is made of yew wood covered by sheets of silver and bronze and decorated with enamel designs of Pictish origin. The reliquary was carried by Robert the Bruce’s army at his triumphant Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. The Monymusk Reliquary is on display at the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. (google it to learn more and see images)

~ Duncairn Cathedral: Fictitious, but based on several very real Scottish cathedrals. During the Viking years, much of Scotland’s treasure was moved from coastal regions to inland cathedrals or monasteries for safekeeping. Sadly, such places are soft targets for all marauders, not just raiding Norsemen. So Iain taking gifts to Duncairn to replenish stolen treasures could have happened.

~ Disinheriteds: Scottish nobles who’d supported the English in the Scottish Wars of Independence and then lost their lands through the Treaty of Edinburgh in 1328 when England accepted Robert Bruce as king of an independent Scotland. Bruce died shortly thereafter in 1329 and these ‘disinherited’ nobles then returned to Scotland with English support to reclaim their lands – or as I had Logie do, rampage and seize property at will.

~ Faery Fire Stones: Made up. That said, there probably isn’t a stone (or blade of grass) in Scotland that can’t lay claim to some kind of magical power. In my travels there and research, I’ve come across so many fascinating accounts of charmed stones. So Devorgilla’s stones could well be out there somewhere. Who knows?

~ Fortingall Yew: Real. This ancient worthy stands in the very center of Scotland (in Perthshire) and is said to be anywhere from 3,000 to 9,000 years old. My bet is 5,000. The tree hailed as the ‘oldest living thing in Europe’ has a storied past and is blessedly tucked away in its remote little kirkyard where it will hopefully remain safe for many more centuries. It survived the Victorians who hollowed out part of its massive girth for tea parties, so the yew has a stout heart and clearly endures. If ever you are in the Loch Tay area, make the side trip to see this very special yew and its tranquil surroundings.

~ Sassunach: There are several spellings for this Scottish word for the English. Sassenach is probably the most popular. The Irish use Sasanach. I prefer Sassunach with ‘u’ because it is the spelling I’ve come across most often in my nonfiction research books on medieval Scotland. After decades of ‘feeling at home’ with this spelling, it would feel odd to me to use another version.

There’s so much more I could share from this story. But doing so would require a new book. So I’ve picked out a few tidbits and hope they prove of interest.

Last word…

In Master of the Highlands, Iain and Madeline take a journey that visits many of my own personal favorite sites in Scotland. That made the writing of the story special because every day when I’d sit down at my desk, my day’s work would whisk me back to places so dear to my heart. I touched on my love of these places in the dedication of the original edition.

Likewise mentioned was my inspiration for Iain. He was loosely based on the medieval ancestor of a Highland friend. This medieval Highlander was also named Iain and his life wasn’t a happy one. He had a good heart and was actually quite heroic, but seemed to lurch from one disaster to the next, ending badly.

I was deeply touched on hearing his tale and wanted to create a medieval Iain who, though similar in hard luck, would triumph and enjoy a happy ever after.

Here’s Master of the Highland’s original dedication…

That’s it for this one. Thank you so much for reading Master of the Highlands. I hope you enjoyed joining Iain and Madeline on their journey.

Wishing you Highland Magic!

Sue-Ellen Welfonder / Allie Mackay