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	<title>Ailish Sinclair</title>
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		<title>Into the Greenwood</title>
		<link>https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/06/into-the-greenwood/</link>
					<comments>https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/06/into-the-greenwood/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ailish]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:50:35 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[dark places]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green places]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[writing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[books]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[historical fiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Isobel Gowdie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[trees]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>First draft done. Through the sky window I go, towards the greenwood. I walk through yellow petals. There&#8217;s standing stones. A little dance may be in order. I weave between yews, into the greenwood, and take the scary path to draft two. Out of the greenwood to other posts on this project Ancient Battle and &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/06/into-the-greenwood/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Into the Greenwood"</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/06/into-the-greenwood/">Into the Greenwood</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1105-scaled.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="525" height="700" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1105.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1" alt="the greenwood" class="wp-image-45682" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1105-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1105-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1105-scaled.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1105-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1105-scaled.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1105-scaled.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>First draft done. Through the sky window I go, towards the greenwood.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1113-scaled.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="525" height="700" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1113.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1" alt="greenwood - flowery track" class="wp-image-45683" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1113-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1113-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1113-scaled.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1113-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1113-scaled.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1113-scaled.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>I walk through yellow petals.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_0849-scaled.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="525" height="700" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_0849.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1" alt="standing stones" class="wp-image-45686" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_0849-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_0849-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_0849-scaled.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_0849-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_0849-scaled.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_0849-scaled.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s standing stones. <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2025/10/a-celebratory-dance-in-a-stone-circle/" type="post" id="17783" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A little dance may be in order</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_0885-scaled.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="394" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_0885.jpg?resize=525%2C394&#038;ssl=1" alt="yew trees in the greenwood" class="wp-image-45685" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_0885-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_0885-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_0885-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_0885-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_0885-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>I weave <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2025/11/deer-abbey-and-the-man-trap/" type="post" id="10126" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">between yews</a>, into the greenwood, and take the scary path to draft two.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1090-scaled.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="700" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1090.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1" alt="the greenwood" class="wp-image-45684" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1090-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1090-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1090-scaled.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1090-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1090-scaled.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_1090-scaled.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Out of the greenwood to other posts on this project</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>I<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2025/07/isobel-gowdie-i-shall-go-into-a-hare/" type="post" id="34757" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sobel Gowdie: I Shall Go Into A Hare</a></li>



<li><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2025/11/auldearn-stone-row/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Auldearn Stone Row in the Scottish Highlands</a></li>



<li><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/02/the-witches-of-inshoch-castle/" type="post" id="42199" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Witches of Inshoch Castle</a></li>



<li><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/04/pink-flowers-blue-skies-and-magical-hares/">Pink Flowers, Blue Skies and Magical Hares</a></li>



<li><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/writing-a-coherent-novel-among-blue-flowers/">Writing a Coherent Novel Among Blue Flowers</a></li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ancient Battle and Forbidden Romance</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://mybook.to/sistersedge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2000" height="1600" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/sisters-collage-1.jpg?resize=525%2C420&amp;ssl=1" alt="The Romans called it the edge of the world" class="wp-image-13692" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/sisters-collage-1.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/sisters-collage-1.jpg?resize=300%2C240&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/sisters-collage-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C819&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/sisters-collage-1.jpg?resize=768%2C614&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/sisters-collage-1.jpg?resize=1536%2C1229&amp;ssl=1 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p><strong>From the misty hills of ancient Scotland emerges a tale of love, betrayal, and the fight for freedom.</strong>&nbsp;Join Morragh in SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD for an unforgettable journey.</p>



<p>Set in 1st century Scotland,&nbsp;<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/books/sisters-at-the-edge-of-the-world-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the novel</a>&nbsp;includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. There’s a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance.</p>



<p><a href="https://amzn.to/3B6tmnY" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon UK</a></p>



<p><a href="https://mybook.to/sistersedge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon Worldwide</a></p>



<p>“Ethereal and spellbinding…”&nbsp;<a href="https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/sisters-at-the-edge-of-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Novel Society</a></p>



<p>Read the article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/roman-aberdeenshire-features-in-authors-new-book-287502/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book</a>&nbsp;from Grampian Online.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://mybook.to/sistersedge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2000" height="1197" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/cropped-sisters-snowdrops.jpg?resize=525%2C314&amp;ssl=1" alt="Sisters at the Edge of the World" class="wp-image-16293" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/cropped-sisters-snowdrops.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/cropped-sisters-snowdrops.jpg?resize=300%2C180&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/cropped-sisters-snowdrops.jpg?resize=1024%2C613&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/cropped-sisters-snowdrops.jpg?resize=768%2C460&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/cropped-sisters-snowdrops.jpg?resize=1536%2C919&amp;ssl=1 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Newsletter and Free Story</h3>



<p>For more bits of obscure Scottish history and photos of places I visit,&nbsp;<a href="http://eepurl.com/hB49Lb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sign up for my occasional, more-intimate-than-the-blog newsletter</a>. You will receive a free short story in e-book form when&nbsp;you do (the story can be read in a browser too).</p>



<p><strong>The Performance: sometimes going home for Christmas is just one huge performance…</strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><a href="http://eepurl.com/hB49Lb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="188" height="300" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/the-performance-cover-jpg.jpg?resize=188%2C300&#038;ssl=1" alt="The Performance, a short story by Ailish Sinclair. Get it free for newsletter sign-up." class="wp-image-28603" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/the-performance-cover-jpg.jpg?resize=188%2C300&amp;ssl=1 188w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/the-performance-cover-jpg.jpg?resize=640%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 640w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/the-performance-cover-jpg.jpg?resize=768%2C1229&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/the-performance-cover-jpg.jpg?resize=960%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 960w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/the-performance-cover-jpg.jpg?resize=1280%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/the-performance-cover-jpg.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/the-performance-cover-jpg.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 188px) 100vw, 188px" /></a></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Books and Special Offers</h2>



<p>If you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow&nbsp;<a href="http://author.to/mermaid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">my Amazon author page</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="196" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_0370-1.jpg?resize=300%2C196&#038;ssl=1" alt="Ailish Sinclair romps in the loch" class="wp-image-18740" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_0370-1.jpg?resize=300%2C196&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_0370-1.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></figure>



<p>See my&nbsp;<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">About Page here</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Writer’s Tip Jar</h2>



<div class="ko-fi-button" data-text="Buy me a coffee!" data-color="#FF5F5F" data-code="ailish" id="kofiShortcode857Html" style="float: none; text-align: left;" data-title=""></div>



<p></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/06/into-the-greenwood/">Into the Greenwood</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
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			<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">45680</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Hanging Stone on Gallows Hill</title>
		<link>https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/06/the-hanging-stone-on-gallows-hill-rosehearty/</link>
					<comments>https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/06/the-hanging-stone-on-gallows-hill-rosehearty/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ailish]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:55:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[books]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dark places]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green places]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[writing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aberdeenshire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[history]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scotland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[standing stones]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[witches]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ailishsinclair.com/?p=11941</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Searching for the Hanging Stone A couple of years ago, I decided to look for the Hanging Stone near Rosehearty, here in Aberdeenshire. It&#8217;s a witch stone, a place of historical execution and, according to local folklore, &#8216;dooking&#8217; as well. I knew the stone was in the vicinity of the Mounthooly Doocot (pigeon house), pictured &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/06/the-hanging-stone-on-gallows-hill-rosehearty/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "The Hanging Stone on Gallows Hill"</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/06/the-hanging-stone-on-gallows-hill-rosehearty/">The Hanging Stone on Gallows Hill</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1632" height="1224" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8010.jpg?fit=525%2C394&amp;ssl=1" alt="Mounthooly Doocot" class="wp-image-11943" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8010.jpg?w=1632&amp;ssl=1 1632w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8010.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8010.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8010.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8010.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Searching for the Hanging Stone</h2>



<p>A couple of years ago, I decided to look for the Hanging Stone near Rosehearty, here in Aberdeenshire. It&#8217;s a witch stone, a place of historical execution and, according to local folklore, &#8216;dooking&#8217; as well.</p>



<p>I knew the stone was in the vicinity of the <a href="https://www.abdn.ac.uk/elphinstone/bbaf/category/4/285/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mounthooly Doocot</a> (pigeon house), pictured above and below, so headed there first. </p>



<p>*Experiences mild jealousy of past self, so gung-ho in the ability to just get up and go out.* </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1504" height="1128" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8009.jpg?fit=525%2C394&amp;ssl=1" alt="Mounthooly Doocot" class="wp-image-11942" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8009.jpg?w=1504&amp;ssl=1 1504w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8009.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8009.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8009.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<p>Turning 360 degrees, searching the skyline, the stone was finally spotted, embedded in a dry-stane dyke. That&#8217;s a dry-stone wall; there&#8217;s a great art and skill to building these traditional field boundaries.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="856" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8011.jpg?fit=525%2C351&amp;ssl=1" alt="The Hanging Stone on the horizon." class="wp-image-11944" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8011.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8011.jpg?resize=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8011.jpg?resize=1024%2C685&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8011.jpg?resize=768%2C514&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<p>I walked from the Mounthooly car park, along narrow roads and then up the field.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="1280" src="https://i2.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8022-1.jpg?fit=525%2C525&amp;ssl=1" alt="The Hanging Stone on Gallows Hill, Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire" class="wp-image-11946" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8022-1.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8022-1.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8022-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8022-1.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8022-1.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8022-1.jpg?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<p>And there it was. The stone was quite tall, much taller than me, and wrapped round with barbed wire, which seemed somehow appropriate, given its dark past.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1588" height="1192" src="https://i2.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8027.jpg?fit=525%2C394&amp;ssl=1" alt="The Hanging Stone on Gallows Hill, Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire" class="wp-image-11947" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8027.jpg?w=1588&amp;ssl=1 1588w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8027.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8027.jpg?resize=1024%2C769&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8027.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8027.jpg?resize=1536%2C1153&amp;ssl=1 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">History of the Hanging Stone</h2>



<p>The Hanging Stone is quite possibly an ancient standing stone which later came to be associated with execution. It&#8217;s very square. Carved that way, I think.</p>



<p>Nearby is &#8216;The Pit&#8217;, said to have been &#8216;for witches&#8217; and to have been used for &#8216;dooking&#8217;. This was a practice that involved testing someone in water to see if they would sink or float, and thereby prove if they were a witch or not. I did not see The Pit, and, as I walked away, focused my attention on the great beauty of the ocean views.</p>



<p><a aria-label="Canmore details on stone (opens in a new tab)" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/20791/gallows-hill-hanging-stone" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The stone on the Canmore archaeological site</a></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="1280" src="https://i2.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8021.jpg?fit=525%2C525&amp;ssl=1" alt="The Hanging Stone on Gallows Hill, Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire" class="wp-image-11948" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8021.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8021.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8021.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8021.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8021.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_8021.jpg?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Latest Book</h2>



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<p>Set in 1st century Scotland, and featuring the cliffs and caves of&nbsp;<strong>Cullykhan Bay</strong><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/books/sisters-at-the-edge-of-the-world-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD</a> includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance…</p>



<p>“Ethereal and spellbinding….”&nbsp;<a href="https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/sisters-at-the-edge-of-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Novel Society</a></p>



<p><a href="https://amzn.to/3B6tmnY" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon UK</a></p>



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<p>See the&nbsp;<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/sisters-at-the-edge-of-the-world-press-release/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">press release here</a></p>



<p>Read the article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/roman-aberdeenshire-features-in-authors-new-book-287502/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book</a>&nbsp;from Grampian Online.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">About Page</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/feet3.jpg?resize=247%2C229&amp;ssl=1" alt="feet" class="wp-image-12237" width="254" height="235" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/feet3.jpg?w=493&amp;ssl=1 493w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/feet3.jpg?resize=300%2C278&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 254px) 100vw, 254px" /></a></figure>



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<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/06/the-hanging-stone-on-gallows-hill-rosehearty/">The Hanging Stone on Gallows Hill</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
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		<title>Easter Aquorthies Stone Circle</title>
		<link>https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/easter-aquorthies-recumbent-stone-circle/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ailish]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2026 07:28:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[dark places]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[frankly a little odd]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green places]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aberdeenshire]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[stones]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>Easter Aquorthies Circle Easter Aquorthies, also known as East Aquorthies, is sometimes described as a &#8216;show circle&#8217; and recommended as a good first stone circle to visit. This is due to its near perfect condition and position: all stones are present and upright; the grass always seems to have been manicured to a close shave, &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/easter-aquorthies-recumbent-stone-circle/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Easter Aquorthies Stone Circle"</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/easter-aquorthies-recumbent-stone-circle/">Easter Aquorthies Stone Circle</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="700" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8662.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1" alt="Purple flowers at Easter Aquorthies" class="wp-image-3758" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8662.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8662.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8662.jpg?resize=1%2C1&amp;ssl=1 1w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Easter Aquorthies Circle</h2>



<p>Easter Aquorthies, also known as East Aquorthies, is sometimes described as a &#8216;show circle&#8217; and recommended as a good first stone circle to visit. This is due to its near perfect condition and position: all stones are present and upright; the grass always seems to have been manicured to a close shave, and the views of the surrounding countryside are magnificent. It&#8217;s also very clearly signposted from the nearby town of Inverurie, making it easy to find and then park in its small car park.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="394" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8651.jpg?resize=525%2C394&#038;ssl=1" alt="Blue skies over a stone circle" class="wp-image-3765" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8651.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8651.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8651.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8651.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8651.jpg?resize=1%2C1&amp;ssl=1 1w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bennachie</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2022/02/bennachie/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mither Tap of Bennachie</a> is apparent wherever you walk in and around the circle, looming majestic and large over your shoulder.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="394" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8647.jpg?resize=525%2C394&#038;ssl=1" alt="cows at Easter Aquorthies" class="wp-image-3760" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8647.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8647.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8647.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8647.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8647.jpg?resize=1%2C1&amp;ssl=1 1w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Recumbent Stone</h2>



<p>The recumbent stone is unusual in that it has extra supporting stones on the inner side. I wonder what led to this arrangement. Did it fall and crush someone, in Neolithic or Bronze Age times, causing new health and safety measures to be put in place? It is on a slope, so maybe it was just hard to make secure. I hope no one got crushed!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="394" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8649.jpg?resize=525%2C394&#038;ssl=1" alt="recumbent at Easter Aquorthies stone circle" class="wp-image-3761" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8649.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8649.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8649.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8649.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8649.jpg?resize=1%2C1&amp;ssl=1 1w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Name Origin</h2>



<p>The name is thought to derive from Gaelic and means either &#8216;field of prayer&#8217; or &#8216;field of the stone pillar&#8217;. Most of the stones are granite but one, below, is red jasper.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="700" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8656.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1" alt="The red jasper stone at Easter Aquorthies stone circle" class="wp-image-3762" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8656.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8656.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8656.jpg?resize=1%2C1&amp;ssl=1 1w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Leaving Easter Aquorthies&#8230;</h2>



<p>There are numerous tales of people finding it hard to exit Easter Aquorthies stone circle. Some describe walking away as being like trying to wade through treacle and report feeling as if the circle wants to keep them there. There are also stories of enticing music coming from under the ground. </p>



<p>On the day I visited, I really didn&#8217;t want to leave. I would rather have stayed sitting in the sun with my back up against one of the recumbent flankers, staring out over Bennachie. </p>



<p>I knew the next circle on my list to visit was going to be contrastingly tricky to find. And it was. But that&#8217;s a post for another day (see <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2021/09/turn-left-for-tyrebagger-stone-circle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tyrebagger</a> here).</p>



<p>Leave I did, reluctantly, and a little later than planned. I encountered no treacle or music&#8230; but I have been left with a strong desire to return. Soon.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="394" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8653.jpg?resize=525%2C394&#038;ssl=1" alt="straight line of stones" class="wp-image-3763" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8653.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8653.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8653.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8653.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8653.jpg?resize=1%2C1&amp;ssl=1 1w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>All my books feature a stone circle</strong>.</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/a-dancers-journey-3-book-series/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Dancer’s Journey</a>:</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/a-dancers-journey-3-book-series/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2000" height="1199" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cropped-A-Dancers-Journey-by-Ailish-Sinclair.jpg?resize=525%2C315&amp;ssl=1" alt="A Dancer's Journey series by Ailish Sinclair" class="wp-image-18158" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cropped-A-Dancers-Journey-by-Ailish-Sinclair.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cropped-A-Dancers-Journey-by-Ailish-Sinclair.jpg?resize=300%2C180&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cropped-A-Dancers-Journey-by-Ailish-Sinclair.jpg?resize=1024%2C614&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cropped-A-Dancers-Journey-by-Ailish-Sinclair.jpg?resize=768%2C460&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cropped-A-Dancers-Journey-by-Ailish-Sinclair.jpg?resize=1536%2C921&amp;ssl=1 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>These books are so naughty that I’m a little worried nobody will be able to look me in the face again after reading them. But not that worried. They’re heading out into the world anyway.</p>



<p><strong>When dance student Amalphia Treadwell embarks on a secret relationship with her charismatic new teacher, she has no idea of the danger that lurks in his school in Scotland…</strong></p>



<p>See&nbsp;<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/a-dancers-journey-3-book-series/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the series page here on the site for full blurbs and quotes</a></p>



<p>Series on&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/3suFbn8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon UK</a></p>



<p>Series on&nbsp;<a href="https://mybook.to/dancers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon worldwide</a></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://mybook.to/dancers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="691" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/48509-10-2.png?resize=525%2C336&amp;ssl=1" alt="A Dancer's Journey Series by Ailish Sinclair - dark and romantic books" class="wp-image-17729" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/48509-10-2.png?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/48509-10-2.png?resize=300%2C192&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/48509-10-2.png?resize=1024%2C655&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/48509-10-2.png?resize=768%2C491&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sisters at the Edge of the World</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sistersstones.jpg?ssl=1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="940" height="788" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sistersstones.jpg?resize=525%2C440&amp;ssl=1" alt="Sisters at the Edge of the World by Ailish Sinclair" class="wp-image-16039" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sistersstones.jpg?w=940&amp;ssl=1 940w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sistersstones.jpg?resize=300%2C251&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sistersstones.jpg?resize=768%2C644&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>Set in 1st century Scotland,&nbsp;<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/books/sisters-at-the-edge-of-the-world-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD</a>&nbsp;includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features chosen sisters, fierce warriors, a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance.</p>



<p><a href="https://amzn.to/3B6tmnY" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon UK</a></p>



<p><a href="https://mybook.to/sistersedge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon Worldwide</a></p>



<p>Read the article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/roman-aberdeenshire-features-in-authors-new-book-287502/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book</a>&nbsp;from Grampian Online.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Mermaid and the Bear</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/girlhorsenew.jpg?ssl=1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="940" height="788" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/girlhorsenew.jpg?resize=525%2C440&amp;ssl=1" alt="The Mermaid and the Bear by Ailish Sinclair" class="wp-image-15984" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/girlhorsenew.jpg?w=940&amp;ssl=1 940w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/girlhorsenew.jpg?resize=300%2C251&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/girlhorsenew.jpg?resize=768%2C644&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>Taking place mainly in a fictional castle,&nbsp;<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/books/the-mermaid-and-the-bear/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR</a>&nbsp;blends an often overlooked period of history, the Scottish witchcraft accusations, in particular the 1597 Aberdeen witchcraft panic, with a love story. There’s also six chapters of medieval-style Christmas.</p>



<p><a href="https://amzn.to/2EFzhXr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon UK</a></p>



<p><a href="http://getbook.at/Themermaidandthebear" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon Worldwide</a></p>



<p>From the Press and Journal:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/1856852/new-book-by-fraserburgh-author-highlights-horrific-extent-of-witch-trials-in-scotland/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New book by Fraserburgh author highlights horrific extent of witch trials in Scotland</a>&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fireflies and Chocolate</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shipnew.jpg?ssl=1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="940" height="788" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shipnew.jpg?resize=525%2C440&amp;ssl=1" alt="Fireflies and Chocolate by Ailish Sinclair" class="wp-image-16001" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shipnew.jpg?w=940&amp;ssl=1 940w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shipnew.jpg?resize=300%2C251&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shipnew.jpg?resize=768%2C644&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/books/fireflies-and-chocolate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE</a>&nbsp;was inspired by the kidnapped children and young people of Aberdeen. The story follows the adventures of Elizabeth Manteith from the castle, and her determined efforts to get back home. There’s love. There’s derring-dos on the high seas… And there’s chocolate!</p>



<p><a href="https://amzn.to/3kz0VbP" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon UK</a></p>



<p><a href="http://mybook.to/firechoc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon Worldwide</a></p>



<p>“Filled with excitement and suspense…”&nbsp;<a href="https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/fireflies-and-chocolate-the-manteith-collection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Novel Society Editor’s Pick</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">About Page</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-medium is-resized"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="260" height="300" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/balletfeet3.jpg?resize=260%2C300&#038;ssl=1" alt="ballet novel, TENDU, by Ailish Sinclair" class="wp-image-12624" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/balletfeet3.jpg?resize=260%2C300&amp;ssl=1 260w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/balletfeet3.jpg?w=644&amp;ssl=1 644w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px" /></figure>



<p>See my&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://ailishsinclair.com/about/" target="_blank">About Page here</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Updates</h2>



<p>Sign up to&nbsp;<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/mailing-list/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the mailing list</a>&nbsp;for news about my life and writing, and some exclusive photos. If you would rather just hear about new books and offers, you can follow&nbsp;<a href="http://author.to/mermaid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">my Amazon author page</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Writer&#8217;s Tip Jar</h2>



<div class="ko-fi-button" data-text="Buy me a coffee!" data-color="#FF5F5F" data-code="ailish" id="kofiShortcode485Html" style="float: none; text-align: left;" data-title=""></div>



<div style="height:36px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/easter-aquorthies-recumbent-stone-circle/">Easter Aquorthies Stone Circle</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
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		<title>Stone Circles, Henges and a Barrow</title>
		<link>https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/stone-circles-henges-hills-and-a-barrow/</link>
					<comments>https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/stone-circles-henges-hills-and-a-barrow/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ailish]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 10:43:57 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[dark places]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green places]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aberdeenshire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scotland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[standing stones]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stonecircle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[west kennet long barrow]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ailishsinclair.com/?p=9700</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>It&#8217;s no secret that I love stone circles and other old stony places. I visit them. A lot. I hug them. Quite a bit. And I write about them. Aikey Brae, above, is my absolute favourite. The circle in my books is loosely based on this one. I&#8217;ve blogged about it here in the snow &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/stone-circles-henges-hills-and-a-barrow/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Stone Circles, Henges and a Barrow"</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/stone-circles-henges-hills-and-a-barrow/">Stone Circles, Henges and a Barrow</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="394" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_1568-edited.jpg?resize=525%2C394&#038;ssl=1" alt="Aikey Brae, one of my favourite stone circles" class="wp-image-17444" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_1568-edited.jpg?w=1383&amp;ssl=1 1383w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_1568-edited.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_1568-edited.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_1568-edited.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s no secret that I love stone circles and other old stony places. I visit them. A lot. I hug them. Quite a bit. And I write about them. Aikey Brae, above, is my absolute favourite. The circle in my books is loosely based on this one. I&#8217;ve blogged about it <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="here in the snow (opens in a new tab)" href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2019/03/aikey-brae-recumbent-stone-circle/" target="_blank">here in the snow</a> and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="here after the trees were felled (opens in a new tab)" href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2020/02/aikey-brae-the-north-wind-doth-blow/" target="_blank">here after the trees were felled</a>. </p>



<p>Today I&#8217;m sharing some older photos of ancient sites that I&#8217;ve not used before, so they may not be too perfect, but I hope they capture the spirit of these special places.</p>



<p>First, I&#8217;m going back in time, deep into the family-photo archives, and journeying out of Scotland to Wiltshire in England.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Avebury</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="432" height="217" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/av4.jpg?resize=432%2C217&#038;ssl=1" alt="Avebury stone circle" class="wp-image-9705" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/av4.jpg?w=432&amp;ssl=1 432w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/av4.jpg?resize=300%2C151&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 432px) 100vw, 432px" /></figure>



<p>The great henge of Avebury, a circle with a village built right in the middle of it, is another of my favourites.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="427" height="524" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/av3.jpg?resize=427%2C524&#038;ssl=1" alt="Peeking round a stone at Avebury" class="wp-image-9706" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/av3.jpg?w=427&amp;ssl=1 427w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/av3.jpg?resize=244%2C300&amp;ssl=1 244w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 427px) 100vw, 427px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="430" height="322" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/av1.jpg?resize=430%2C322&#038;ssl=1" alt="Avebury" class="wp-image-9707" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/av1.jpg?w=430&amp;ssl=1 430w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/av1.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 430px) 100vw, 430px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">West Kennet and Silbury</h2>



<p>Nearby is <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/west-kennet-long-barrow/history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="West Kennet Long Barrow (opens in a new tab)">West Kennet Long Barrow</a> where I once found a candle burning (very naughty, such things could cause damage):</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="374" height="257" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/candle.jpg?resize=374%2C257&#038;ssl=1" alt="candle in West Kennet Long Barrow" class="wp-image-9704" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/candle.jpg?w=374&amp;ssl=1 374w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/candle.jpg?resize=300%2C206&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 374px) 100vw, 374px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="430" height="322" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/wk2.jpg?resize=430%2C322&#038;ssl=1" alt="West Kennet" class="wp-image-9715" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/wk2.jpg?w=430&amp;ssl=1 430w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/wk2.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 430px) 100vw, 430px" /></figure>



<p>Across the road from the barrow is the mysterious <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Silbury Hill (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/silbury-hill/" target="_blank">Silbury Hill</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="432" height="196" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/sil.jpg?resize=432%2C196&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-9708" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/sil.jpg?w=432&amp;ssl=1 432w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/sil.jpg?resize=300%2C136&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 432px) 100vw, 432px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Aberdeenshire Stone Circles</h2>



<p>We have a nice wee henge in Aberdeenshire too at Broomend of Crichie, and the shape of the stones really remind me of Avebury. As does the fact that there was once an avenue of stones leading to the circle.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8639-1.jpg?resize=516%2C688&#038;ssl=1" alt="Broomend of Crichie stone circle" class="wp-image-9711" width="516" height="688" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8639-1.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8639-1.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8639-1.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8639-1.jpg?w=1224&amp;ssl=1 1224w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8639-1.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 516px) 100vw, 516px" /></figure>



<p>And just down the river, in the old graveyard, is the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Bass of Inverurie (opens in a new tab)" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/18883/bass-of-inverurie" target="_blank">Bass of Inverurie</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="394" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8623-2.jpg?resize=525%2C394&#038;ssl=1" alt="The Bass of Inverurie" class="wp-image-9712" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8623-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8623-2.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8623-2.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8623-2.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8623-2.jpg?w=1632&amp;ssl=1 1632w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<p>The Bass is a natural hill that has been shaped. It&#8217;s been home to a Motte and Bailey castle and there have been older worked flint objects found there too. </p>



<p>Did someone create a diminutive complex similar to that of Avebury? I wonder&#8230;</p>



<p>Some lovely Pictish stones stand beside the Bass today, un-huggable in their new glass case.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="394" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/D4840569-F979-440A-9A5A-783D724F0AD6.jpg?resize=525%2C394&#038;ssl=1" alt="Pictish stones by the Bass of Inverurie" class="wp-image-9709" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/D4840569-F979-440A-9A5A-783D724F0AD6.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/D4840569-F979-440A-9A5A-783D724F0AD6.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/D4840569-F979-440A-9A5A-783D724F0AD6.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/D4840569-F979-440A-9A5A-783D724F0AD6.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<p>The countryside of the Inverurie area is rich in standing stones and circles too. Easter Aquorthies lies a couple of miles away from the Bass. <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="I've blogged about it here (opens in a new tab)" href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2019/08/easter-aquorthies-recumbent-stone-circle/" target="_blank">I&#8217;ve blogged about it here</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="394" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8655-3-1.jpg?resize=525%2C394&#038;ssl=1" alt="Easter Aquorthies Stone Circle" class="wp-image-9714" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8655-3-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8655-3-1.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8655-3-1.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8655-3-1.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8655-3-1.jpg?w=1632&amp;ssl=1 1632w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<p>And, not too far away, is Loanhead of Daviot Recumbent Stone Circle, one that I&#8217;m writing about just now as it plays a part in the story of <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="SISTERS (opens in a new tab)" href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2022/06/new-book-sisters-at-the-edge-of-the-world/" target="_blank">SISTERS</a>. </p>



<p>At Daviot:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="388" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ailishatdaviot.jpg?resize=525%2C388&#038;ssl=1" alt="Ailish at Loanhead of Daviot Recumbent Stone Circle" class="wp-image-12462" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ailishatdaviot.jpg?w=732&amp;ssl=1 732w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ailishatdaviot.jpg?resize=300%2C222&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wonderful Blogs</h2>



<p>The Wee Writing Lassie asked me 7 intrusive questions! Go to <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="her blog to see them (opens in a new tab)" href="https://weewritinglassie.home.blog/2021/06/26/7-intrusive-questions-for-ailish-sinclair/" target="_blank">her blog to see them</a>.</p>



<p>Sally Cronin reviewed FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE on her wonderful <a href="https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Smorgasbord Blog Magazine (opens in a new tab)">Smorgasbord Blog Magazine</a>: &#8220;<em>This book is well researched, bringing history to life and the writing flows smoothly like hot chocolate as it warms on a cold day. It is a coming of age and love story which will have you holding your breath on occasion as Elizabeth comes to terms with her future.</em>&#8221; <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="See the whole review here (opens in a new tab)" href="https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2021/06/19/smorgasbord-book-reviews-scottish-historical-fireflies-and-chocolate-by-ailish-sinclair/" target="_blank">See the whole review here</a>. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8725.jpg?resize=400%2C300&#038;ssl=1" alt="Tyrebagger stone circle" class="wp-image-3755" width="400" height="300" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8725.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8725.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8725.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8725.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/img_8725.jpg?resize=1%2C1&amp;ssl=1 1w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tyrebagger Circle near Aberdeen</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Newsletter</h2>



<p>I hope you&#8217;ve enjoyed my wee journey into the ancient past. <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/mailing-list/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Go here&nbsp;to sign up</a>&nbsp;for my occasional emails that always include some exclusive photos and news of my writing and life. If you would rather just hear about new books and offers, you can follow&nbsp;<a href="http://author.to/mermaid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">my Amazon author page</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Books (stone circle included!)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="440" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0499.jpg?resize=525%2C440&#038;ssl=1" alt="Sisters at the Edge of the World" class="wp-image-17231" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0499.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0499.jpg?resize=300%2C252&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0499.jpg?resize=768%2C644&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<p>Set in 1st century Scotland, my latest novel, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD, includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance!</p>



<p>“Ethereal and spellbinding….”&nbsp;<a href="https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/sisters-at-the-edge-of-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Novel Society</a></p>



<p><a href="https://amzn.to/3B6tmnY" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon UK</a></p>



<p><a href="https://mybook.to/sistersedge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon Worldwide</a></p>



<p>See the&nbsp;<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/sisters-at-the-edge-of-the-world-press-release/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">press release here</a></p>



<p>Read the article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/roman-aberdeenshire-features-in-authors-new-book-287502/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book</a>&nbsp;from Grampian Online.</p>



<div style="height:17px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="440" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/harpnew.jpg?resize=525%2C440&#038;ssl=1" alt="The Mermaid and the Bear by Ailish Sinclair, and a harp" class="wp-image-16430" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/harpnew.jpg?w=940&amp;ssl=1 940w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/harpnew.jpg?resize=300%2C251&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/harpnew.jpg?resize=768%2C644&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<p>Taking place mainly in a fictional castle, THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR blends an often overlooked period of history, the Scottish witchcraft accusations, in particular the 1597 Aberdeen witchcraft panic, with a love story.</p>



<p>See the&nbsp;<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/books/the-mermaid-and-the-bear/the-mermaid-and-the-bear-press-release/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">press release here</a></p>



<p><a href="https://amzn.to/2EFzhXr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon UK</a></p>



<p><a href="http://getbook.at/Themermaidandthebear" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon Worldwide</a></p>



<p>From the Press and Journal:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/1856852/new-book-by-fraserburgh-author-highlights-horrific-extent-of-witch-trials-in-scotland/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New book by Fraserburgh author highlights horrific extent of witch trials in Scotland</a>&nbsp;</p>



<div style="height:17px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shipnew.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="440" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shipnew.jpg?resize=525%2C440&#038;ssl=1" alt="Fireflies and Chocolate by Ailish Sinclair" class="wp-image-16001" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shipnew.jpg?w=940&amp;ssl=1 940w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shipnew.jpg?resize=300%2C251&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shipnew.jpg?resize=768%2C644&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE was inspired by the kidnapped children and young people of Aberdeen. The story follows the adventures of Elizabeth Manteith from the castle and her determined efforts to get back home. There’s love. There’s derring-dos on the high seas… And there’s chocolate!</p>



<p>See the&nbsp;publisher’s&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://ailishsinclair.com/fireflies-and-chocolate/fireflies-and-chocolate-press-release/" target="_blank">Press Release here</a></p>



<p><a href="https://amzn.to/3kz0VbP" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon UK</a></p>



<p><a href="http://mybook.to/firechoc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon Worldwide</a></p>



<p><a href="https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/fireflies-and-chocolate-the-manteith-collection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Review from the Historical Novel Society</a></p>



<div style="height:17px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">About Page</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/14739353894_c7511f511b_z.jpg?resize=240%2C320&#038;ssl=1" alt="Castle Fraser Circle" class="wp-image-552" width="240" height="320" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/14739353894_c7511f511b_z.jpg?w=480&amp;ssl=1 480w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/14739353894_c7511f511b_z.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/14739353894_c7511f511b_z.jpg?resize=1%2C1&amp;ssl=1 1w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Path through crop to Castle Fraser stone circle</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">My About Page</a>&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Writer&#8217;s Tip Jar</h2>



<div class="ko-fi-button" data-text="Buy me a coffee!" data-color="#FF5F5F" data-code="ailish" id="kofiShortcode478Html" style="float: none; text-align: left;" data-title=""></div>
<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/stone-circles-henges-hills-and-a-barrow/">Stone Circles, Henges and a Barrow</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
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		<title>The White Horse on Mormond Hill</title>
		<link>https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/the-white-horse-on-mormond-hill/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ailish]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2026 11:17:09 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[art]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[frankly a little odd]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green places]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aberdeenshire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[history]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scotland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[walking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[white horse]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>History of the White Horse on Mormond Hill The white horse on Mormond Hill in Aberdeenshire can be seen for miles around. Constructed of white quartz, the horse is said to have been built by a Captain Fraser in the 1790s after the Flanders campaign. His own horse was shot from under him in battle &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/the-white-horse-on-mormond-hill/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "The White Horse on Mormond Hill"</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/the-white-horse-on-mormond-hill/">The White Horse on Mormond Hill</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="1080" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5748.jpg?fit=525%2C525&amp;ssl=1" alt="The White Horse on Mormond Hill as seen from the distance" class="wp-image-9195" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5748.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5748.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5748.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5748.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5748.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5748.jpg?resize=600%2C600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5748.jpg?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">History of the White Horse on Mormond Hill</h2>



<p>The white horse on Mormond Hill in Aberdeenshire can be seen for miles around. Constructed of white quartz, the horse is said to have been built by a Captain Fraser in the 1790s after the Flanders campaign. His own horse was shot from under him in battle and his sergeant offered his mount as replacement and was shot in the process. The white horse is a memorial to Sergeant Henderson. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Visiting the Horse</h2>



<p>I have visited the horse a few times, by car a long time ago, and also on foot. It&#8217;s quite a long walk. From the village of Strichen, you head up Hospital Road and keep going. The road becomes a track which leads to fields. You cross a stile at one point. Then there&#8217;s a wee path, and it all gets rather steep.</p>



<p>But it&#8217;s worth it. Look at the views!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="394" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5744.jpg?resize=525%2C394&#038;ssl=1" alt="Views of Aberdeenshire." class="wp-image-9196" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5744.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5744.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5744.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5744.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<p>And. of course, the horse itself:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="394" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5742-1.jpg?resize=525%2C394&#038;ssl=1" alt="Ear of the white horse on Mormond Hill" class="wp-image-9197" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5742-1.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5742-1.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5742-1.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5742-1.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Folklore</h2>



<p>According to a local saying, if you turn round three times in the horse&#8217;s eye (just visible in the lower right corner of the above photo), your wish will be granted! </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1578" height="1184" src="https://i1.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5725.jpg?fit=525%2C394&amp;ssl=1" alt="The nose of the white horse on Mormond hill." class="wp-image-9199" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5725.jpg?w=1578&amp;ssl=1 1578w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5725.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5725.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5725.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5725.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5725.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5725.jpg?resize=1320%2C990&amp;ssl=1 1320w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The nose.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Do be careful if walking on the hill. Parts of it are boggy, and the ground once swallowed a whole tractor.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="1080" src="https://i2.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5745.jpg?fit=525%2C525&amp;ssl=1" alt="The remains of an 18th century hunting lodge in Aberdeenshire." class="wp-image-9200" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5745.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5745.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5745.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5745.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5745.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5745.jpg?resize=600%2C600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5745.jpg?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<p>The aforementioned Captain Fraser is also credited with the hunting lodge on top of the hill, now a ruin. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="1080" src="https://i1.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5746.jpg?fit=525%2C525&amp;ssl=1" alt="View from the hunting lodge on top of Mormond Hill in Aberdeenshire, Scotland." class="wp-image-9201" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5746.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5746.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5746.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5746.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5746.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5746.jpg?resize=600%2C600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5746.jpg?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">View from the lodge.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Pirouette and a Wish</h2>



<p>So, let&#8217;s perform a triple pirouette in the eye of the white horse as we make our wish. There&#8217;s just time for one more gaze across the countryside while we try to pinpoint which village is which&#8230; and then we head back down to earth.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1920" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5721-2-scaled.jpg?fit=525%2C394&amp;ssl=1" alt="Countryside views from Mormond Hill." class="wp-image-9202" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5721-2-scaled.jpg?w=2560&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5721-2-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5721-2-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5721-2-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5721-2-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5721-2-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5721-2-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5721-2-scaled.jpg?resize=1320%2C990&amp;ssl=1 1320w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Naughty Contemporary Fiction</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://mybook.to/dancers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="480" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/4-6.jpg?resize=525%2C210&amp;ssl=1" alt="Book covers of A Dancer's Journey series by Ailish Sinclair: celebratory dance." class="wp-image-17730" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/4-6.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/4-6.jpg?resize=300%2C120&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/4-6.jpg?resize=1024%2C410&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/4-6.jpg?resize=768%2C307&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p><strong>Scotland’s all misty lochs and magical forests and perfect boyfriends, right?</strong></p>



<p><strong>When dance student Amalphia Treadwell embarks on a secret relationship with her charismatic new teacher, she has no idea of the danger that lurks in his school in Scotland…</strong></p>



<p>My dance background and love of history and spicy stories are what inspired this heady mix of contemporary romance and ballet set in a castle. Readers of my historical fiction will recognise the castle and stone circle that feature in these books.</p>



<p>There are no cliffhanger endings in this series; each book completes a story, but then there is more. So much more.&nbsp;<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/a-dancers-journey-3-book-series/">Read all the blurbs here</a></p>



<p>Series on&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/3suFbn8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon UK</a></p>



<p>Series on&nbsp;<a href="https://mybook.to/dancers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon worldwide</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">My Latest Historical Novel</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/5-3.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="440" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/5-3.jpg?resize=525%2C440&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-15778" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/5-3.jpg?w=940&amp;ssl=1 940w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/5-3.jpg?resize=300%2C251&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/5-3.jpg?resize=768%2C644&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>From the provocative opening scene to the later dramatic and devastating events of the story, <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/books/sisters-at-the-edge-of-the-world-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD</a> is a book that will continually surprise, delight, and sometimes shock the reader. The novel features the beautiful hill of <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2022/02/bennachie/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bennachie</a>, and the <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/tag/standing-stones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stone circles</a> of Aberdeenshire along with the cliffs and caves of <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2022/05/playing-with-geography-at-cullykhan-bay/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cullykhan Bay</a>.</p>



<p>“Ethereal and spellbinding….”&nbsp;<a href="https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/sisters-at-the-edge-of-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Novel Society</a></p>



<p>Review from&nbsp;<a href="https://terrytylerbookreviews.blogspot.com/2022/09/sisters-at-edge-of-world-by-ailish.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Terry Tyler</a>: “It’s a fabulous story, a real page-turner and so well written. It made me think about the passage and circle of time, of the constancy of the land on which we live and the transient nature of human life. Loved it.” <a href="https://terrytylerbookreviews.blogspot.com/2022/09/sisters-at-edge-of-world-by-ailish.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">See the whole review here</a>.</p>



<p><a href="https://amzn.to/3B6tmnY" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon UK</a></p>



<p><a href="https://mybook.to/sistersedge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon Worldwide</a></p>



<p>Read the article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aberdeenlive.news/news/aberdeen-news/aberdeenshire-roman-times-takes-centre-7591462" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aberdeenshire in Roman times takes centre stage in author’s latest book</a>&nbsp;from AberdeenLive.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">About Page</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/balletfeet3.jpg?resize=238%2C275&amp;ssl=1" alt="ballet novel, TENDU, by Ailish Sinclair" class="wp-image-12624" style="width:233px;height:270px" width="233" height="270" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/balletfeet3.jpg?w=644&amp;ssl=1 644w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/balletfeet3.jpg?resize=260%2C300&amp;ssl=1 260w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 233px) 100vw, 233px" /></figure>



<p>See my&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://ailishsinclair.com/about/" target="_blank">About Page here</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Newsletter</h2>



<p class="has-text-align-left"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/mailing-list/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Go here&nbsp;to sign up</a>&nbsp;for my occasional emails that always include some exclusive photos and news of my writing and life. If you would rather just hear about new books and offers, you can follow&nbsp;<a href="http://author.to/mermaid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">my Amazon author page</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/mailing-list/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://i1.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/img_8871.jpg?resize=300%2C400&amp;ssl=1" alt="castle door" style="width:318px;height:424px" width="318" height="424"/></a></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Writer&#8217;s Tip Jar</h2>



<div class="ko-fi-button" data-text="Buy me a coffee!" data-color="#FF5F5F" data-code="ailish" id="kofiShortcode852Html" style="float: none; text-align: left;" data-title=""></div>



<div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/the-white-horse-on-mormond-hill/">The White Horse on Mormond Hill</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
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		<title>A Pine Marten and a Pine Forest</title>
		<link>https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/a-pine-marten-and-a-pine-forest/</link>
					<comments>https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/a-pine-marten-and-a-pine-forest/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ailish]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 10:48:19 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[green places]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[historical fiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scotland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[trees]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wildlife]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>Above is a modern standing stone in Culbin Forest. Although pine martens are listed among the wildlife living in this large forest, it&#8217;s not where I saw the creature. The Pine Marten The pine marten was spotted several days before I visited the forest, in my own garden. It has appeared a few times over &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/a-pine-marten-and-a-pine-forest/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "A Pine Marten and a Pine Forest"</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/a-pine-marten-and-a-pine-forest/">A Pine Marten and a Pine Forest</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2456-1.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="700" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2456-1.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1" alt="A pine forest and a pine marten - Standing stone in Culbin Forest" class="wp-image-32724" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2456-1.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2456-1.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2456-1.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2456-1.jpg?w=1512&amp;ssl=1 1512w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2456-1.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>Above is a modern standing stone in Culbin Forest. Although pine martens are listed among the wildlife living in this large forest, it&#8217;s not where I saw the creature.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Pine Marten</h2>



<p>The pine marten was spotted several days before I visited the forest, in my own garden. It has appeared a few times over the years, and I’d named it &#8216;Chris Pine&#8217;, a fact my husband had forgotten when I texted him this:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2283-1.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="502" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2283-1.jpg?resize=525%2C502&#038;ssl=1" alt="Pine marten text" class="wp-image-32731" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2283-1.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2283-1.jpg?resize=300%2C287&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px" /></a></figure>



<p>They&#8217;re quite large animals, about the size of a domestic cat. I found a stock image so you can see what Chris Pine looks like:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/pine-marten-scaled.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="299" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/pine-marten.jpg?resize=525%2C299&#038;ssl=1" alt="pine marten" class="wp-image-32733" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/pine-marten-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C583&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/pine-marten-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C171&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/pine-marten-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C437&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/pine-marten-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C874&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/pine-marten-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1166&amp;ssl=1 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>So, wondering if I&#8217;d see more of his kind (I didn&#8217;t), I walked into Culbin.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2446-1-scaled.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="700" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2446-1.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1" alt="Culbin Forest path" class="wp-image-32727" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2446-1-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2446-1-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2446-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2446-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2446-1-scaled.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2446-1-scaled.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>It was a nice surprise to find a standing stone, albeit a contemporary one. The words on the stone reference the fact that the trees of Culbin are growing on sand dunes.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2443-1.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="643" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2443-1.jpg?resize=525%2C643&#038;ssl=1" alt="stone in Culbin Forest" class="wp-image-32725" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2443-1.jpg?resize=836%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 836w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2443-1.jpg?resize=245%2C300&amp;ssl=1 245w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2443-1.jpg?resize=768%2C941&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2443-1.jpg?resize=1254%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1254w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2443-1.jpg?resize=1672%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1672w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2443-1.jpg?w=1793&amp;ssl=1 1793w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2443-1.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2443-1.jpg?w=1575&amp;ssl=1 1575w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>The forest floor is indeed made soft with the sand and a deep layer of pine needles.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2431-1-scaled.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="700" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2431-1.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1" alt="tree roots in Culbin forest - no pine marten" class="wp-image-32728" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2431-1-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2431-1-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2431-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2431-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2431-1-scaled.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2431-1-scaled.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>Be careful the trees don&#8217;t trip you! </p>



<p>There&#8217;s something about the light in mature Scots Pine forests. It&#8217;s quite unique and beautiful, and I love it.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2434-1-scaled.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="700" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2434-1.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1" alt="Culbin Forest" class="wp-image-32726" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2434-1-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2434-1-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2434-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2434-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2434-1-scaled.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_2434-1-scaled.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s more information on Culbin Forest on the <a href="https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/culbin">Forestry and Land Scotland site here</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lost in Ancient Woodlands</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_1190-1.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="743" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_1190-1.jpg?resize=525%2C743&#038;ssl=1" alt="The Mermaid and the Bear" class="wp-image-32086" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_1190-1.jpg?resize=724%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 724w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_1190-1.jpg?resize=212%2C300&amp;ssl=1 212w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_1190-1.jpg?resize=768%2C1086&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_1190-1.jpg?resize=1086%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1086w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_1190-1.jpg?w=1414&amp;ssl=1 1414w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px" /></a></figure>



<p>Lost in ancient woodlands and caught up in whispers of witchcraft, Isobell must navigate danger to reclaim her life. Can she find her happily ever after?</p>



<p>Paperback and kindle&nbsp;<a href="http://getbook.at/Themermaidandthebear" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">on Amazon</a></p>



<p><a href="https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/1856852/new-book-by-fraserburgh-author-highlights-horrific-extent-of-witch-trials-in-scotland/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New book by Fraserburgh author highlights horrific extent of witch trials in Scotland</a>&nbsp;from the Press and Journal.</p>



<p>“A delight from end to end…”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usreviews/books/gwlmermaid.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Undiscovered Scotland</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Newsletter and Free Story</h2>



<p>You will receive a free short story when&nbsp;<a href="http://eepurl.com/hB49Lb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">you sign up for my occasional, more-intimate-than-the-blog newsletter</a>&nbsp;(the story can be read in a browser too).</p>



<p><strong>The Performance: sometimes going home for Christmas is just one huge performance…</strong></p>



<p>When Ariel returns home from dance college, her mother expects her to perform the&nbsp;<em>Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy</em>&nbsp;in a pink, sequined tutu in front of many, many party guests. Ariel adjusts the costume and choreography to expose dark truths about her life, but, as it turns out, this is not the biggest performance of the night…&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><a href="http://eepurl.com/hB49Lb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="188" height="300" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/the-performance-cover-jpg.jpg?resize=188%2C300&#038;ssl=1" alt="The Performance, a short story by Ailish Sinclair. Get it free for newsletter sign-up." class="wp-image-28603" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/the-performance-cover-jpg.jpg?resize=188%2C300&amp;ssl=1 188w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/the-performance-cover-jpg.jpg?resize=640%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 640w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/the-performance-cover-jpg.jpg?resize=768%2C1229&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/the-performance-cover-jpg.jpg?resize=960%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 960w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/the-performance-cover-jpg.jpg?resize=1280%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/the-performance-cover-jpg.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/the-performance-cover-jpg.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 188px) 100vw, 188px" /></a></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Books and Special Offers</h2>



<p>If you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow&nbsp;<a href="http://author.to/mermaid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">my Amazon author page</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">About Page</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="278" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/feet3.jpg?resize=300%2C278&#038;ssl=1" alt="feet" class="wp-image-12237" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/feet3.jpg?resize=300%2C278&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/feet3.jpg?w=493&amp;ssl=1 493w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></figure>



<p>See my&nbsp;<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">About Page here</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Writer’s Tip Jar</h2>



<div class="ko-fi-button" data-text="Buy me a coffee!" data-color="#FF5F5F" data-code="ailish" id="kofiShortcode295Html" style="float: none; text-align: left;" data-title=""></div>



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<p></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/a-pine-marten-and-a-pine-forest/">A Pine Marten and a Pine Forest</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
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		<title>A Small Blue Ball of Pain</title>
		<link>https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/small-blue-ball-big-golden-orb-cover-reveal/</link>
					<comments>https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/small-blue-ball-big-golden-orb-cover-reveal/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ailish]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 24 May 2026 14:33:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[art]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[books]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dark places]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[frankly a little odd]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green places]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[writing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[autoimmunity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chronic illness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[neurodiversity]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ailishsinclair.com/?p=11759</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Originally posted May 2022 in the midst of an autoimmune flare-up. Small Blue Ball I am a small blue ball of pain. Curled up. Can&#8217;t eat. Can&#8217;t sleep. Can&#8217;t write. Life on hold. Wondering what went wrong. Why I am here again. A pause by the bluebell woods on the way back from hospital. A &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/small-blue-ball-big-golden-orb-cover-reveal/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "A Small Blue Ball of Pain"</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/small-blue-ball-big-golden-orb-cover-reveal/">A Small Blue Ball of Pain</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="516" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/orange1.jpg?resize=525%2C516&#038;ssl=1" alt="oorange tulip behind barbed wire" class="wp-image-11753" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/orange1.jpg?w=734&amp;ssl=1 734w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/orange1.jpg?resize=300%2C295&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tulip behind barbed wire</figcaption></figure>



<p>Originally posted May 2022 in the midst of an autoimmune flare-up.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Small Blue Ball</h2>



<p>I am a small blue ball of pain. </p>



<p>Curled up. </p>



<p>Can&#8217;t eat. Can&#8217;t sleep. Can&#8217;t write.</p>



<p>Life on hold.</p>



<p>Wondering what went wrong. Why I am here again.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="397" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/blue1.jpg?resize=525%2C397&#038;ssl=1" alt="bluebells, small blue ball" class="wp-image-11754" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/blue1.jpg?w=722&amp;ssl=1 722w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/blue1.jpg?resize=300%2C227&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px" /></figure>



<p>A pause by the bluebell woods on the way back from hospital. A biopsy may provide answers to the mystery of me and my strange body, who knows?</p>



<p>The flowers smell sweet. I breathe them in.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="529" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pink2.jpg?resize=525%2C529&#038;ssl=1" alt="lilac. small blue ball." class="wp-image-11756" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pink2.jpg?w=727&amp;ssl=1 727w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pink2.jpg?resize=298%2C300&amp;ssl=1 298w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pink2.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pink2.jpg?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pink</h2>



<p>An easing comes. A moving on from the small blue ball. A sort of &#8216;pinkening&#8217;. Lilac flowers are taken in from the garden, and I sit in a delicately scented cloud of beauty.</p>



<p>Then, a few steps, and I am outside.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="409" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pink3.jpg?resize=525%2C409&#038;ssl=1" alt="Camelia. Small blue ball." class="wp-image-11755" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pink3.jpg?w=688&amp;ssl=1 688w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pink3.jpg?resize=300%2C234&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px" /></figure>



<p>It is glorious. Painful still, but better. I can envision being well again.</p>



<p>The sunshine. The breeze. I love it all.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="511" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pink1.jpg?resize=525%2C511&#038;ssl=1" alt="pink bench and blossom" class="wp-image-11757" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pink1.jpg?w=692&amp;ssl=1 692w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pink1.jpg?resize=300%2C292&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Blossom caught in the pink bench.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Writing</h2>



<p>Thoughts of writing come. I left my poor characters in the middle of the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes.  War. A situation far worse than my own. I must release them from it soon.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cover Reveal</h2>



<p>Before all this, before I became ill again, a cover was designed. My own photos of stones from <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2022/12/aikey-brae-recumbent-stone-circle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aikey Brae Stone Circle</a> were used.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="840" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/sisters-png-bleed.png?resize=525%2C840&#038;ssl=1" alt="SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD cover" class="wp-image-11883" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/sisters-png-bleed.png?resize=640%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 640w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/sisters-png-bleed.png?resize=188%2C300&amp;ssl=1 188w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/sisters-png-bleed.png?resize=768%2C1229&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/sisters-png-bleed.png?resize=960%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 960w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/sisters-png-bleed.png?w=1250&amp;ssl=1 1250w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/sisters-png-bleed.png?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px" /></figure>



<p>The main character in the book is neurodivergent. </p>



<p>As am I. </p>



<p>Illness makes me open, bared and true. Pain peels back layers of politeness and hesitancy and doubt. I just say things. And, I just am.</p>



<p>I still hope for a summer release, a later one obviously, maybe early autumn. My body will have its say in the matter. But it will come&#8230;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Update: <strong>Sisters at the Edge of the World came out in September 2022</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ethereal.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="440" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ethereal.jpg?resize=525%2C440&#038;ssl=1" alt="Ethereal and spellbinding... says the Historical Novel Society of SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD" class="wp-image-15953" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ethereal.jpg?w=940&amp;ssl=1 940w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ethereal.jpg?resize=300%2C251&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ethereal.jpg?resize=768%2C644&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>When Morragh speaks to another person for the very first time, she has no idea that he is an invader in her land…</p>



<p>Set in 1st century Scotland,&nbsp;<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/books/sisters-at-the-edge-of-the-world-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD</a>&nbsp;includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance!</p>



<p><a href="https://amzn.to/3B6tmnY" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon UK</a></p>



<p><a href="https://mybook.to/sistersedge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon Worldwide/Barnes &amp; Noble</a></p>



<p>See the article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/roman-aberdeenshire-features-in-authors-new-book-287502/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book</a>&nbsp;from Grampian Online.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Newsletter and Updates</h2>



<p>Sign up to&nbsp;<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/mailing-list/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the mailing list</a>&nbsp;for news about my life and writing, and some exclusive photos. If you would rather just hear about new books and offers, you can follow&nbsp;<a href="http://author.to/mermaid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">my Amazon author page</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">My About Page</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/feet.jpg?ssl=1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="400" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/feet.jpg?resize=221%2C221&amp;ssl=1" alt="Ailish's feet" class="wp-image-2965" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/feet.jpg?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/feet.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/feet.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/feet.jpg?resize=1%2C1&amp;ssl=1 1w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a></figure>



<p><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read about little old me here</a>!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Writer’s Tip Jar</h2>



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<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/small-blue-ball-big-golden-orb-cover-reveal/">A Small Blue Ball of Pain</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
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		<title>Bow Fiddle Rock and Swan Lake</title>
		<link>https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/the-beauty-of-bow-fiddle-rock-and-swan-lake/</link>
					<comments>https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/the-beauty-of-bow-fiddle-rock-and-swan-lake/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ailish]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 23 May 2026 09:04:15 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[dark places]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>Bow Fiddle Rock I had hoped it might be sunny on my recent visit to Bow Fiddle Rock, a natural sea arch near Portknockie. It was. Very briefly. Between the car and the benches, the sun shone brightly for a few seconds. Then the clouds closed over, but the place was still beautiful. Swan Lake &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/the-beauty-of-bow-fiddle-rock-and-swan-lake/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Bow Fiddle Rock and Swan Lake"</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/the-beauty-of-bow-fiddle-rock-and-swan-lake/">Bow Fiddle Rock and Swan Lake</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0668.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="394" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0668.jpg?resize=525%2C394&#038;ssl=1" alt="Bow Fiddle Rock" class="wp-image-17486" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0668.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0668.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0668.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bow Fiddle Rock</h2>



<p>I had hoped it might be sunny on my recent visit to Bow Fiddle Rock, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bow_Fiddle_Rock" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a natural sea arch  near Portknockie</a>. It was. Very briefly. Between the car and the benches, the sun shone brightly for a few seconds.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0702.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="394" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0702.jpg?resize=525%2C394&#038;ssl=1" alt="Bow Fiddle Rock benches" class="wp-image-17481" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0702.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0702.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0702.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>Then the clouds closed over, but the place was still beautiful.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0689.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="700" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0689.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1" alt="Bow Fiddle Rock" class="wp-image-17484" style="width:567px" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0689.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0689.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px" /></a></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Swan Lake</h2>



<p>I was reminded of the stunning Swan Lake photos of husband and wife Gillian Murphy and Ethan Stiefel, taken by photographer Fabrizio Ferri below. Overcast, wet weather did not stop beauty there either.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckx-1tVuUOJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:525px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckx-1tVuUOJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckx-1tVuUOJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Fabrizio Ferri (@fabrizioferriofficial)</a></p></div></blockquote><script async src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
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<p>Back at Bow Fiddle Rock, I slipped and slid over recently rained-on pebbles to take my photos.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0692.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="700" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0692.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1" alt="Bow Fiddle Rock" class="wp-image-17485" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0692.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0692.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px" /></a></figure>



<p>I stopped to admire red clover on my way back up the cliff. And that was beautiful too. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0701.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="394" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0701.jpg?resize=525%2C394&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-17482" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0701.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0701.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_0701.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sisters at the Edge of the World</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://mybook.to/sistersedge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="525" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_5171.jpg?resize=525%2C525&#038;ssl=1" alt="Sisters at the Edge of the World" class="wp-image-17493" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_5171.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_5171.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_5171.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_5171.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_5171.jpg?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>Set in 1st century Scotland, <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/books/sisters-at-the-edge-of-the-world-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD</a> includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance&#8230;</p>



<p>“Ethereal and spellbinding….”&nbsp;<a href="https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/sisters-at-the-edge-of-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Novel Society</a></p>



<p><a href="https://amzn.to/3B6tmnY" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon UK</a></p>



<p><a href="https://mybook.to/sistersedge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon Worldwide</a></p>



<p>Read the article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/roman-aberdeenshire-features-in-authors-new-book-287502/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book</a>&nbsp;from Grampian Online.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">About Page</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-medium is-resized"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="300" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/feet.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1" alt="Ailish's feet" class="wp-image-2965" style="width:252px;height:252px" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/feet.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/feet.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/feet.jpg?resize=1%2C1&amp;ssl=1 1w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/feet.jpg?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></figure>



<p>See my&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://ailishsinclair.com/about/" target="_blank">About Page here</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Newsletter</h2>



<p><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/mailing-list/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Go here&nbsp;to sign up</a>&nbsp;for my occasional emails that always include some exclusive photos and news of my writing and life. If you would rather just hear about new books and offers, you can follow&nbsp;<a href="http://author.to/mermaid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">my Amazon author page</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/mailing-list/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img decoding="async" src="https://i1.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/img_8871.jpg?resize=300%2C400&amp;ssl=1" alt="castle door"/></a></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Writer’s Tip Jar</h2>



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<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/the-beauty-of-bow-fiddle-rock-and-swan-lake/">Bow Fiddle Rock and Swan Lake</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
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		<title>Things I Stole From Castles</title>
		<link>https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/things-i-stole-from-castles/</link>
					<comments>https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/things-i-stole-from-castles/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ailish]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 May 2026 09:40:25 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[books]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dark places]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[frankly a little odd]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[writing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[historical fiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reading]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scotland]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>A Stolen Floor The first of the things I stole from castles is the earthen floor of the medieval great hall at Drum Castle. I love it. So I took it! From Chapter 3 of THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR: Bessie had shown me the great hall, a huge room that put one in mind &#8230; </p>
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<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/things-i-stole-from-castles/">Things I Stole From Castles</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image alignfull"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="700" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_7646.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1" alt="Earthen floor at Drum Castle: things I stole from castles" class="wp-image-4331" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_7646.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_7646.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_7646.jpg?resize=1%2C1&amp;ssl=1 1w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Stolen Floor</h2>



<p>The first of the things I stole from castles is the earthen floor of the medieval great hall at Drum Castle.</p>



<p>I love it. </p>



<p>So I took it! </p>



<p>From Chapter 3 of <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/the-mermaid-and-the-bear/">THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR</a>:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p> Bessie had shown me the great hall, a huge room that put one in mind of a church. Sunlight fell through twelve windows, making narrow shapes on the earthen floor of that place&#8230;</p>
</blockquote>



<p> I did rather fill up my writer&#8217;s swag bag at Drum. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Below is a beautiful bedpost&#8230; </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignfull"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="517" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_9123.jpg?resize=525%2C517&#038;ssl=1" alt="oaken leaves on a bedpost at Drum: things I stole from castles" class="wp-image-4338" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_9123.jpg?w=640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_9123.jpg?resize=300%2C295&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_9123.jpg?resize=600%2C591&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_9123.jpg?resize=1%2C1&amp;ssl=1 1w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px" /></figure>



<p>Chapter 34:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p> “It’s beautiful, Thomas,” I said, walking into the room and running my hands up and down the dark smooth wood of the bedposts which were swirled with infinite oak leaves. </p>



<p></p>
</blockquote>



<p>I don&#8217;t have a good picture of the dungeon there, though I pilfered that too. It&#8217;s a terrible place with a narrow stairway leading down, down, down into the dank. However, bats were roosting in it the last couple of times I visited the castle, and they&#8217;re a protected species so it was absolutely forbidden to disturb them. Which was quite a relief really&#8230; </p>



<p>Here is a pictorial quote from the book:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignfull"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="256" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/dungeon.jpg?resize=525%2C256&#038;ssl=1" alt="castle dungeon quote" class="wp-image-4349" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/dungeon.jpg?w=1016&amp;ssl=1 1016w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/dungeon.jpg?resize=300%2C146&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/dungeon.jpg?resize=768%2C375&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/dungeon.jpg?resize=600%2C293&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/dungeon.jpg?resize=2%2C1&amp;ssl=1 2w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<p>And into the swagbag goes&#8230; </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A forest view from a high window at Crathes Castle </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="225" height="300" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_7349.jpg?resize=225%2C300&#038;ssl=1" alt="forest view from Crathes Castle window: things I stole from castles" class="wp-image-4337" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_7349.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_7349.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_7349.jpg?resize=1%2C1&amp;ssl=1 1w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /></figure>



<p>From Chapter 38:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p> I sat up on my seat by the three thin windows and watched the first golden shafts of morning light creep over the tops of the trees in the forest. </p>



<p></p>
</blockquote>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Secret Stairway</h2>



<p>From beautiful Craigievar I took the secret stairway that runs from top to bottom of the castle, strictly no photos allowed inside&#8230; </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignfull"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="525" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/346c98b9-2f64-499f-9424-fc09bf730812.jpg?resize=525%2C525&#038;ssl=1" alt="Craigievar Castle: things I stole from castles" class="wp-image-4334" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/346c98b9-2f64-499f-9424-fc09bf730812.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/346c98b9-2f64-499f-9424-fc09bf730812.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/346c98b9-2f64-499f-9424-fc09bf730812.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/346c98b9-2f64-499f-9424-fc09bf730812.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/346c98b9-2f64-499f-9424-fc09bf730812.jpg?resize=600%2C600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/346c98b9-2f64-499f-9424-fc09bf730812.jpg?resize=1%2C1&amp;ssl=1 1w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<p>From Chapter 28:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p> We were in another passage, small and stony and grey, and after a short way it led to a narrow stairwell that was not lit by torches and sconces like the big one, but dark and shadowy and hidden. Secret. Indeed safe. For now.  </p>



<p></p>
</blockquote>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Laird&#8217;s Lug</h2>



<p>Castle Fraser gave me its triangular peep-hole and &#8216;Laird&#8217;s Lug&#8217;. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignfull"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="525" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/a1ae0926-737a-4774-af36-6ee24b609a9c.jpg?resize=525%2C525&#038;ssl=1" alt="Castle Fraser: things I stole from castles" class="wp-image-4335" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/a1ae0926-737a-4774-af36-6ee24b609a9c.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/a1ae0926-737a-4774-af36-6ee24b609a9c.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/a1ae0926-737a-4774-af36-6ee24b609a9c.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/a1ae0926-737a-4774-af36-6ee24b609a9c.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/a1ae0926-737a-4774-af36-6ee24b609a9c.jpg?resize=600%2C600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/a1ae0926-737a-4774-af36-6ee24b609a9c.jpg?resize=1%2C1&amp;ssl=1 1w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<p>From Chapter 28:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p>I told the Laird, and he took his turn at the peephole and gave the scene a long assessing look. “It is a pity there is so much noise tonight; we could have made out their words otherwise, the walls of the lug are thinned in places and shaped to augment speech made in the hall.&#8221;</p>
</blockquote>



<p>I think that&#8217;s enough of my rampant thievery for one post &#8211; there may be others &#8211; so I&#8217;ll leave you with <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://terrytylerbookreviews.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-mermaid-and-bear-by-ailish-sinclair.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this review of the book from Terry Tyler</a>, a brilliant writer herself. Actually &#8211; I can&#8217;t help myself &#8211; I&#8217;ll just steal a quote from that too:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p> Ailish Sinclair&#8217;s portrayal of 16th century, wild rural Scotland is quite magical.&nbsp; On one recent evening I was curled up in bed, head on cushions and lights dimmed, and I found that I was revelling in every description of the countryside, the day-to-day life at the castle (particularly the Christmas revellry; this made me long to be in the book myself!), the suggestion of ancient spirituality, and the hopes and dreams of the characters.&nbsp; Suddenly I realised that I&#8217;d gone from thinking &#8216;yes, this is a pleasant enough, easy-read&#8217; to &#8216;I&#8217;m&nbsp;<em>loving</em>&nbsp;this&#8217;.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p>
</blockquote>



<p>And here&#8217;s a wee picture of my author copies, or castle swag bags, if you will. Buy your own <a href="http://getbook.at/Themermaidandthebear" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here on Amazon</a> in paperback or on Kindle.  </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignfull"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="415" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/910d1db7-81d0-46ac-8c51-69489b59f913.jpg?resize=525%2C415&#038;ssl=1" alt="author copies" class="wp-image-4340" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/910d1db7-81d0-46ac-8c51-69489b59f913.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/910d1db7-81d0-46ac-8c51-69489b59f913.jpg?resize=300%2C237&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/910d1db7-81d0-46ac-8c51-69489b59f913.jpg?resize=768%2C607&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/910d1db7-81d0-46ac-8c51-69489b59f913.jpg?resize=600%2C474&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/910d1db7-81d0-46ac-8c51-69489b59f913.jpg?resize=1%2C1&amp;ssl=1 1w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></figure>



<p>From the Press and Journal:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/1856852/new-book-by-fraserburgh-author-highlights-horrific-extent-of-witch-trials-in-scotland/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New book by Fraserburgh author highlights horrific extent of witch trials in Scotland</a>&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Contemporary Fiction</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignfull size-large"><a href="https://mybook.to/dancers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="210" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/4-6.jpg?resize=525%2C210&#038;ssl=1" alt="Book covers of A Dancer's Journey series by Ailish Sinclair: celebratory dance." class="wp-image-17730" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/4-6.jpg?resize=1024%2C410&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/4-6.jpg?resize=300%2C120&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/4-6.jpg?resize=768%2C307&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/4-6.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p><strong>Scotland’s all misty lochs and magical forests and perfect boyfriends, right?</strong></p>



<p><strong>When dance student Amalphia Treadwell embarks on a secret relationship with her charismatic new teacher, she has no idea of the danger that lurks in his school in Scotland…</strong></p>



<p>My dance background and love of history and spicy stories are what inspired this heady mix of contemporary romance and ballet set in a castle. Readers of&nbsp;<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/books/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">my historical fiction</a>&nbsp;will recognise the castle and stone circle that feature in these books.</p>



<p>Series on&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/3suFbn8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon UK</a></p>



<p>Series on&nbsp;<a href="https://mybook.to/dancers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon worldwide</a></p>



<p>There are no cliffhanger endings in this series; each book completes a story, but then there is more. So much more.&nbsp;<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/a-dancers-journey-3-book-series/">Read all the blurbs here</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Historical Fiction</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignfull size-full"><a href="http://author.to/mermaid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="525" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/48509-591.jpg?resize=525%2C525&#038;ssl=1" alt="Historical Fiction by Ailish Sinclair" class="wp-image-18042" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/48509-591.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/48509-591.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/48509-591.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/48509-591.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/48509-591.jpg?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p id="block-a1d70781-67f8-4da7-af34-f53608862fe9">These novels combine little-known dark events with love stories and a hint of magic.</p>



<ul id="block-f846b548-ca21-4e78-8159-318ca004f41a" class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/books/sisters-at-the-edge-of-the-world-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD</a>: ancient battle, neurodiversity and forbidden romance.</li>



<li><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/books/the-mermaid-and-the-bear/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR</a>: witchcraft, a stone circle, a castle and six chapters of medieval Christmas.</li>



<li><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/books/fireflies-and-chocolate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE</a>: kidnapping, romance, friendship and chocolate.</li>
</ul>



<p id="block-f115baa9-0bbf-4ad4-a601-a5aa0e416938">“Ethereal and spellbinding….”&nbsp;<a href="https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/sisters-at-the-edge-of-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Novel Society</a></p>



<p id="block-18bf0803-7fa6-4027-b9c6-12153041c1d7"><a href="https://amzn.to/44Da5Yx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon UK</a></p>



<p id="block-59d90249-d77a-4fee-abac-489d42af3359"><a href="http://author.to/mermaid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon Worldwide</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Newsletter</h2>



<p>Keep up to date with all my news by signing up to <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/mailing-list/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the mailing list</a>. It’s a more intimate space than the blog and always contains some exclusive photos. If you would like to hear about new books and offers, you can follow <a href="http://author.to/mermaid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">my Amazon author page</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-f38d4609-4173-4a6e-9241-a5ea76c7e751">About Page</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignfull size-full" id="block-6e4dbe3a-1ef0-4798-b724-84dd0214e065"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="499" height="317" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_1781-2-1.jpg?resize=499%2C317&#038;ssl=1" alt="Ailish Sinclair goes into the woods" class="wp-image-18348" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_1781-2-1.jpg?w=499&amp;ssl=1 499w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_1781-2-1.jpg?resize=300%2C191&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 499px) 100vw, 499px" /></a></figure>



<p id="block-6671944c-bfa2-40fb-862b-3be979432479"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read all about little old me here</a>!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Writer’s Tip Jar</h2>



<div class="ko-fi-button" data-text="Buy me a coffee!" data-color="#FF5F5F" data-code="ailish" id="kofiShortcode404Html" style="float: none; text-align: left;" data-title=""></div>



<div style="height:25px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/things-i-stole-from-castles/">Things I Stole From Castles</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">4347</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Pointe Work and a Daring Leotard</title>
		<link>https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/pointe-work-and-a-red-leotard/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ailish]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 May 2026 08:38:39 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[dance]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>Reflections Looking back on this post from a year ago. Reflecting on the past twelve months. Determining to stay well now. To not burn myself out again. In a year&#8217;s time I want to be writing about dancing around doing pointe work and getting books out and visiting castles and other lovely places. Maybe I&#8217;ll &#8230; </p>
<p class="link-more"><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/pointe-work-and-a-red-leotard/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Pointe Work and a Daring Leotard"</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/pointe-work-and-a-red-leotard/">Pointe Work and a Daring Leotard</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large wp-duotone-blue-red"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="787" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/iStock-941793506.jpg?resize=525%2C787&#038;ssl=1" alt="pointe work and a daring leotard" class="wp-image-44085" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/iStock-941793506-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/iStock-941793506-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/iStock-941793506-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/iStock-941793506-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/iStock-941793506-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1365w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/iStock-941793506-scaled.jpg?w=1707&amp;ssl=1 1707w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/iStock-941793506-scaled.jpg?w=1575&amp;ssl=1 1575w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Reflections</h2>



<p>Looking back on this post from a year ago. Reflecting on the past twelve months. Determining to stay well now. To not burn myself out again. In a year&#8217;s time I want to be writing about dancing around doing pointe work and getting books out and visiting castles and other lovely places. Maybe I&#8217;ll even wear a red leotard. Probably not to visit a castle. But, you never know&#8230; <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f600.png" alt="😀" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Back to the original post:</h2>



<p class="has-background has-white-color has-text-color" style="background:linear-gradient(199deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%)">Would a strappy red leotard distract the eye from my puffer-fish face or accentuate it? The many thin straps of the garment crisscrossed my back in a pleasing design. It was different. It was daring. I wore it.</p>



<p>The above quote is from <a href="https://mybook.to/tendu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TENDU</a>, the first book of <a href="https://mybook.to/dancers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Dancer&#8217;s Journey</a>,  a romantic-suspense series. The main character, Amalphia, has just been through some relationship turmoil, again, and is returning to class after injury caused by an inappropriate level of pointe work. The red leotard gets her into a surprising amount of trouble.</p>



<p>Her injury came from being asked to perform every exercise in class en pointe. This is something that I took from my own life. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/natasha-ballerina-ballet.gif?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="331" height="498" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/natasha-ballerina-ballet.gif?resize=331%2C498&#038;ssl=1" alt="pointe work" class="wp-image-16254"/></a></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"> Memories of Pointe Work</h2>



<p>One week at college, our usual morning-class teacher &#8211; the late great <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=imogen+claire" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imogen Claire</a> &#8211; was absent and a substitute put in place. This new teacher decided I needed to be stretched and pushed and had me do everything en pointe. Just me. Nobody else. This singling-out drew a few nasty looks from the other dancers. But really, there was nothing to be jealous about.</p>



<p>Because it really was <strong>everything</strong>. Every bend. Every jump. I love jumping en pointe. I still do it sometimes. But as a training method in morning class, this excessive pointe work made no sense. It removed the benefit of many of the exercises, and I limped off to the other lessons of the day improperly warmed-up.</p>



<p>After two days of this, my feet were sore. After a week, they were a mess. But then Imogen returned with her no-nonsense approach to teaching and ballet, and I healed.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/imogen.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="521" height="377" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/imogen.jpg?resize=521%2C377&#038;ssl=1" alt="Imogen Claire and Christopher Biggins in The Rocky Horror Picture Show." class="wp-image-17620" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/imogen.jpg?w=521&amp;ssl=1 521w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/imogen.jpg?resize=300%2C217&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 521px) 100vw, 521px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Imogen looks through her glasses in disapproval (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073629/">Rocky Horror Picture Show</a> 1975). Christopher Biggins, to the left there, once said very insightful things to me while judging my annual assessment at college. </figcaption></figure>



<p>There was no need for extra pointe work as we were blessed with a specialist teacher for that. At first I was surprised to learn that the class was taught by a man, but <a href="https://dancetabs.com/2016/10/interview-gary-harris-on-life-and-setting-kenneth-macmillans-anastasia-for-the-royal-ballet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gary Harris</a> was a true expert on the subject, performing all the steps en pointe himself in his soft trainers at the front of the studio.</p>



<p>So, dance-school memories indulged, it&#8217;s time to head back into the next manuscripts. There&#8217;s a connected series coming&#8230;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Dancer&#8217;s Journey Series</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://mybook.to/dancers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="295" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_5504-1.jpg?resize=525%2C295&#038;ssl=1" alt="Pointe work: A Dancer's Journey series by Ailish Sinclair" class="wp-image-22434" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_5504-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_5504-1.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_5504-1.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_5504-1.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_5504-1.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p><strong>Scotland’s all misty lochs and magical forests and perfect boyfriends, right?</strong></p>



<p><strong>When dance student Amalphia Treadwell embarks on a secret relationship with her charismatic new teacher, she has no idea of the danger that lurks in his school in Scotland…</strong></p>



<p>My dance background and love of history and spicy stories are what inspired this wild mix of contemporary romance and ballet set in a&nbsp;<strong>castle</strong>. Readers of&nbsp;my historical fiction&nbsp;will recognise the castle and stone circle that feature in these books.</p>



<p>There are no cliffhanger endings in this series; each book completes a story, but then there is more. So much more.&nbsp;<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/a-dancers-journey-3-book-series/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read all the blurbs here</a></p>



<p>Series on&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/3suFbn8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon UK</a></p>



<p>Series on&nbsp;<a href="https://mybook.to/dancers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon worldwide</a></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://mybook.to/dancers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="275" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Purple-Glitch-Gradient-Livestream-Twitch-Banner-970-x-300-px-Facebook-Ad.jpg?resize=525%2C275&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-44088" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Purple-Glitch-Gradient-Livestream-Twitch-Banner-970-x-300-px-Facebook-Ad.jpg?resize=1024%2C536&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Purple-Glitch-Gradient-Livestream-Twitch-Banner-970-x-300-px-Facebook-Ad.jpg?resize=300%2C157&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Purple-Glitch-Gradient-Livestream-Twitch-Banner-970-x-300-px-Facebook-Ad.jpg?resize=768%2C402&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Purple-Glitch-Gradient-Livestream-Twitch-Banner-970-x-300-px-Facebook-Ad.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More Posts with Dance Content</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2023/04/chosen-sisters-friendship-and-dance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chosen Sisters: Friendship and Dance</a></li>



<li><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2023/08/a-celebratory-dance-in-a-stone-circle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Celebratory Dance in a Stone Circle</a></li>



<li><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2023/10/dance-research-in-the-dungeon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dance Research in the Dungeon</a></li>



<li><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2023/01/london-baby/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">London, Baby!</a></li>



<li><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2022/10/blue-skies-crashing-waves-and-ballet-terms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blues Skies, Crashing Waves and Ballet Terms</a></li>



<li><a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2023/10/the-publishing-journey-of-a-ballet-novel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Ballet Novel and a Tale of Publishing Woes</a></li>



<li>There&#8217;s also <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2023/04/a-day-off-from-writing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this strange little post</a> about what the characters of A Dancer&#8217;s Journey get up to when I&#8217;m away from the keyboard.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Newsletter</h2>



<p>Sign up to&nbsp;<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/mailing-list/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the mailing list</a>&nbsp;for news about my life and writing, and some exclusive photos. If you would rather just hear about new books and offers, you can follow&nbsp;<a href="http://author.to/mermaid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">my Amazon author page</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sisters at the Edge of the World</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ethereal.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="440" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ethereal.jpg?resize=525%2C440&#038;ssl=1" alt="Ethereal and spellbinding... says the Historical Novel Society of SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD" class="wp-image-15953" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ethereal.jpg?w=940&amp;ssl=1 940w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ethereal.jpg?resize=300%2C251&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ethereal.jpg?resize=768%2C644&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" /></a></figure>



<p>When Morragh speaks to another person for the very first time, she has no idea that he is an invader in her land&#8230;</p>



<p>Set in 1st century Scotland, <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/books/sisters-at-the-edge-of-the-world-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD</a> includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance!</p>



<p><a href="https://amzn.to/3TlTGCR" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon UK</a></p>



<p><a href="https://mybook.to/sistersedge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon Worldwide</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">My About Page</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="300" src="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/feet.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1" alt="Ailish's feet" class="wp-image-2965" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/feet.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/feet.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/feet.jpg?resize=1%2C1&amp;ssl=1 1w, https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/feet.jpg?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></figure>



<p>Read my bio and see&nbsp;<a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">all the social links and articles here</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Writer’s Tip Jar</h2>



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<p>The post <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com/2026/05/pointe-work-and-a-red-leotard/">Pointe Work and a Daring Leotard</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ailishsinclair.com">Ailish Sinclair</a>.</p>
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