Recently, I took a remarkable trip across Scotland and Northern England with my mother and sister. We toured a total of five different castles, making for a wonderful bonding experience. More than that, exploring these ancient places was deeply inspirational, and their influence now echoes in the settings of my 18th-century inspired fantasy adventure novels, Legends of Andolin.
Our journey began in Edinburgh; and it just happened to be during Coronation, so everything was decorated in bunting. On our first day, we enjoyed afternoon tea at the Cafe at the Palace before walking up to Arthur's Seat. Despite the drizzling rain, the view was incredible, with the landscape beautifully patched in bright yellow gorse flowers. The following day was a whirlwind of history: we toured Holyrood Palace, visited St Giles' Cathedral, explored Edinburgh Castle, and did some shopping along the Royal Mile.
From there, we headed to Inverness to see Loch Ness. After picking up a Nessie plush for my son at the gift shop, we enjoyed a picnic of cheese savory sandwiches by the water. We even watched some German tourists swimming in the loch! They invited us in, but the water was far too cold for us. Later, we visited Culloden Moor—a deeply moving stop where we found a stone commemorating our ancestors who died there.
Our next destination was Alnwick Castle, though heavy rain forced us to skip the gardens. I did, however, find comfort in the cafe with a haggis pasty.
The absolute highlight of the trip was Holy Island, Lindisfarne. We actually attempted to visit the evening prior, but timed it poorly; the tide was coming in before sunset, and the island's causeway vanishes completely underwater when the tide rises. Intrigued, we made the drive again the next morning. Words cannot describe the mark this island left on me. Inside the castle was a beautifully unsettling art installation. With music and projected words filling the space, it created an incredibly eerie atmosphere.
The magic culminated when my sister and I walked back to the mainland along the Pilgrim's Path. The tide began to come in just as we were crossing, creating the most ethereal experience of my life. Don't worry, we made it back safely—with only soggy feet!—and warmed up with tea at a nearby cafe, watching sheep and lambs frolic outside the window. I already miss being able to order a proper pot of good tea wherever I go.
Seeing these breathtaking, historic landscapes firsthand has breathed new life into my world-building. Just as crafting an epic musical score helps capture the spirit of the novels, standing where history actually happened grounds the legendary inspiration of my stories in something wonderfully real.
Thanks for reading,
Audra