by Janet Marsh from the Highland Bookshop Mysteries
Greetings, on a beautiful summer day, from Inversgail, my adopted hometown on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands. That sounds like pure bliss, doesn’t it? It is. Inversgail is a gem with a natural harbor, white sand beaches, and water warmed by the Gulf Stream. Hills rise behind the charming houses and shops creating a picturesque backdrop perfect for photographers and hillwalkers.
Even the rain is charming in Inversgail, which is good because it rains fairly often. I heard something recently that might explain all the rain—if you see a cat washing its ears, then rain is on the way. If that’s true, then the cats of Inversgail must have the cleanest ears in creation.
Do you know how many Scots words there are for describing rain? Here are a few: Black weet, blatter, blaw bye, and dreep. Dribble, drouk, onding, and peuch. Plype, saft, scudder, and smirr. There are more, too, and I’ve heard some of them, but not all. I’m going to start keeping track, though. It’ll be a life list like birders keep. You could almost put them to music and dance a jig.
Someone asked me, the other day, if I could go anywhere at all on holiday, where would it be? Quite honestly, even though we’ve been here a few months now, the “on holiday” feeling hasn’t worn off. I’m sure it will, though, and maybe sooner than I’d like if what I’ve heard about Daphne Wood is true. She’s the author coming to Inversgail for a three-month author-in-residence program. Her reputation for being eccentric has a few people worried. Hmmm. But Daphne doesn’t arrive until the end of August, and we have the whole summer ahead of us, so let’s celebrate with a giveaway!
For a chance to win a signed copy of Plaid and Plagiarism, Highland Bookshop Mystery #1, leave a comment below, telling me where you’d like to go on holiday. Be sure to include your email address. I’ll choose one comment, at random, to win, at 10:00 a.m. on 6/25.
Watch for Scones and Scoundrels, Highland Bookshop Mystery #2, coming in January 2018 (available for pre-order now).
A body outside a pub, a visiting author determined to find the killer, and a murderously good batch of scones . . .
Molly MacRae is the author of the award-winning, national bestselling Haunted Yarn Shop Mysteries and the Highland Bookshop Mysteries. Visit Molly on Facebook and Pinterest, connect with her on Twitter @mysteryMacRae, or find her the first Monday of each month at Amy Alessio’s Vintage Cookbooks and Crafts.
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I would like to go on holiday to Scotland. Thanks for the chance :)
ReplyDeletejslbrown2009 at aol dot com
Make plans! You won't be disappointed.
DeleteUsing London as my base I'd like to travel throughout Great Britain for 6 months or so. I wish!!
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Wouldn't that be a fantastic trip? I hope you get your wish someday!
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