Update on Highland Blessings

I'm sorry it has been so long since I last blogged here. I've been quite busy with the holidays, editing Highland Blessings, and working on writing two new novels, Highland Sanctuary and A Season of Atonement, as well as stepping into promoting my book release. The good news is, I have my schedule back in order, and I'll start blogging here again--starting with this post. 

Over the next couple of weeks I'm going to be posting a series on Celtic and Gaelic names and their origin meanings and spelling variations. Since we are still early in the year, if you would like to suggest a few topics you'd be interested in seeing on this blog, please leave a comment. I'd be delighted to hear from you.

In the meantime, here are a few dates on some upcoming events:

Highland Blessings Book Launch Party!

When: Sat, May 15, 2pm – 4pm

Where: Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Southpark Mall, Charlotte, NC (map)

Description: Book Launch Party for the release of Highland Blessings! We'll serve a tray of ore d'oeuvres & drinks, book signing, mingling, etc. There will also be a bookfair going on for the Ronald McDonald House. 20% of all purchases of my novel & other books will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House. This program has a special place in my heart, as my hubby stayed there in Winston-Salem when my 3-week old baby was transferred to Brenners Children's Hospital 12-years ago.

 

Workshop: The Art of Research for Today & Yesterday

When: Tue, June 22, 2010, 7pm – 8pm

Where: Atlanta, GA (Sugar Hill United Methodist Church) (map)

Description: Author Jennifer Hudson Taylor will be giving a workshop on "The Art of Research for Today & Yesterday" at the ACFW Word Writers Group. (Book signing will follow.) For directions and details, visit http://wwwacfwword.com. 

 

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

When: Fri - Sun, Jul 9 – 11, 2010

Where: Grandfather Mountain, NC (map)

Description: The 55th Grandfather Mountain Highland Games will be held at MacRae Meadows on Grandfather Mountain near Linville, NC. I will be dressed in a 17th Century Highland gown and signing copies of Highland Blessings.

 

Battle of Bannockburn Anniversary

If you've ever wanted to visit Scotland, then you might consider the 700th Anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn on June 24, 2014. The Stirling Council of chiefs have announced their interest in hosting such an event for the next Gathering.


This battle was a huge victory in favor of Scotland and marked the turning point in the War of Scottish Independence against England. Edward Bruce, the brother of Robert the Bruce, Scotland's King, began a seige of Stirling Castle, commanded by Sir Philip Mowbray. Bruce and Mowbray agreed that if no relief came by midsummer, the castle would surrender to Bruce.


That summer King Edward of England entered Scotland with the goal of relieving Stirling Castle and defeating the Scots to end the war. He had 2-3,000 calvary, and 16,000 foot soldiers, which was 2-3 times the size of Bruce's gathered army.


King Edward began to lose control of his army when the Earls of Gloucester and Hereford quarreled over who was going to lead the charge, both were given joint command. To make matters worse, the English army was so large they had trouble moving quickly and getting into accurate positions. Bruce forced his entire army straight into the disorganized English army. It was a blood bath, fighting one-on-one to the point that archers on either side could not shoot their arrows for fear of killing their own men. The English fortresses began to break. The Scots continued their siege until the English fled in a disordered retreat back across Bannockburn.

Even though England did not recognize Scotland's independence until ten years later, the Battle of Bannockburn established credibility for Robert the Bruce as Scotland's king. The statue above is a monument on the site where it is believed that warring parties camped the night before the battle.

Book Review - "Child of the Mist"

by Kathleen Morgan

This is the first book in These Highland Hills series. Child of the Mist was hard for me to put down. I loved the conflict and attraction between the hero, Niall Campbell, and the heroine, Anne MacGregor. Her father pledges her hand in marriage after a one year commitment to seal the promise of peace between their clans. But Niall's people believe her to be a witch with her herbal healing powers, and he must constantly strive to protect her and work with his people to accept her, while trying to discover who in his clan is a betrayer. They both must strengthen their faith and learn to trust each other to overcome their struggles and fear.

The story is intriguing and keeps one reading to find out what will happen next. The emotional appeal between the characters gives the reader a chance to experience their world. The writing and dialogue gives the reader a sense of 1564 Scotland. If you enjoy a Scottish historical novel, I highly recommend Child of the Mist.

Back Cover Copy:
An arranged betrothal was never the course Anne MacGregor imagined her life would take. Yet when her father explains that her cooperation is the only way to bring about the long-sought truce between feuding families, Anne has no other choice.

A simple ceremony pledging Anne's hand in marriage after one year of commitment is the only seal to the promise of peace. But when the arrangement requires the reluctant Anne to follow Niall Campbell back to his home, she soon discovers that peace is not so easily achieved. Before they even arrive, rumors about her abound, and her safety is threatened. Meanwhile, Niall's ascension as leader of his clan is in jeopardy as a traitor works to bring about his downfall.

As Niall and Anne began to see beyond each other's defenses, love takes them by surprise. But will it be enough to defeat their foes? Or will the truce be broken, their lives forfeit, and war return to their beloved land?

For more about the book and the author, Kathleen Morgan, visit her website here.

Handfasting

Handfasting is an old Celtic custom whereby a couple agreed to live together for a period of time, whether it be one year and a day, or a lifetime. If it was to be a temporary arrangement, after the end of that period, they may wed or part ways. It's a NeoPagan ritual that is no longer recognized as a legal marriage in England, Wales or Ireland, but is still considered a legal Pagan wedding in Scotland.

As Christianity was adopted into the ancient Celtic lands, many couples chose to have a combined wedding of their Christian beliefs with some of the Handfasting traditions.

There are many rituals that are part of the ancient Handfasting Ceremony, but one that I've read about often is the minister ties a strip of cloth around the couple's hands. If it is a temporary agreement, it will be loosely tied. If they have a permanent agreement, it will be tied tighter, thus the expression, "tie the knot". The couple will then kiss each other as their first gift to each other. The bride does not necessarily wear a traditional white bridal gown.

The Scottish Claymore

One of the most famous historical Scottish weapons is the Scottish Claymore, a double-edged sword with a blade around 41" in length with a possible reach of 60". It weighs around 5.5 lbs.The Gaelic term is "Claidhermh-mor". It is recorded to be in use as early as 1300 and still used as late as the 1700's.

Over the years a few changes occurred such as the twisted hilt that came about around 1500. Also adapted from the medieval style, is the two-handed claymore with a distinctive style of a cross-hilt with downward sloping arms. There are many different types of hilts and handles were in use. You can probably do a Google search for different examples.

Then came the Basket-Hilt Claymore broadsword, a one-handed sword with a shorter blade, which can either have a one-sided or double-sided edged blade. It weighs between 2-3 lbs. The basket hilt handle was designed to protect the hand during combat and often had a red velvet liner inside the basket. Some had decorative tassels on the hilt or pommel.

The Beltie Galloway Cows

I first heard of the Beltie Cow in Liz Curtis Higgs' book, My Heart's in the Lowlands. I was fascinated by the sketch in the book. Before I had even finished reading it, I noticed real Beltie Cows while driving home from Charleston, SC. These cows are known to be from Scotland as Beltie Galloway Cows and have most recently earned the nickname of "Oreo Cows" in the US. They are typically black with a white belt around the middle. Some are brown with a white belt.

The white belt is a dominant trait in the herd and will often appear even if a Beltie Cow is crossbred with a different cow. Their heritage allows them to survive in harsh climates having adapted to the poor upland pastures and windswept moorlands of Scotland, originating from Galloway. In 1997, western America suffered the "April Blizzard" resulting in great floods. As much as 21 feet of water resided in some places. While lots of animals, including horses and cows were lost, one breed withstood the flood, days without food, or rest from treading water--the Beltie Cows. Read the story here.

Their beef is exceptionally lean and flavorful. While most breeds of cows develop an extra layer of fat on their hide to protect them from the cold in winter, Beltie Cows grow an extra coat of hair rather than fat.


Here in North Carolina, you will find Beltie Cows at Fearrington Village, a quaint place settled on farmland dating back to 1770's in Chatham County, NC. This is an area of North Carolina that was surrounded by Scots-Irish immigrants and descendants for many generations. The small community is modeled after the villages of England. Fearrington Village offers a relaxing visit of dining, a beautiful country inn, shopping, historic gardens, and Beltie Cows.

For more information on Beltie Cows, visit the Belted Galloway Society of the United States.

The photos in this post are courtesy of Fearrington Village.

Albannach - Scottish War Music

If you are interested in listening to some Scottish war music, Albannoch is a band you might enjoy. All band members are originally from Scotland. Their goal is to share the culture, heritage and history of their country through their music. They claim to be more than another pipe and drum band, their website says they play "outlawed tunes on outlawed pipes".

They tour year-round throughout Europe and the U.S. at highland games and festivals. They are regular performers at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in North Carolina, and have also performed at the games in Greenville, SC. Over the next couple of months they will be in the U.S. touring in Ohio and Virginia. Then in November they are back in Scotland.

You can check out their music and tour dates at their website: www.albannachmusic.com.