Scotiana

As mentioned in my previous post, Donald Alexander Smith (1820-1914), 1st Baron Strathcona, was famously known for having created, at its own expense, the most illustrious military regiment, the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). Born on Scotland’s northeast coast, in the small town of Forres, Morayshire, in Scotland, he really had simple personal taste. Sleeping [...]

Very hot summer day in Bordeaux, especially in my attic room which overlooks our neighbours’s blue swimming pool ! I feel like flopping down on a deck chair in the garden with a good book and fresh lemonade. Of course I would choose a detective novel or a thriller ! It’s quite topical on Scotiana [...]

This is the tree that never grew. This is the bird that never flew. This is the bell that never rang. This is the fish that never swam. (Traditional rhyme associated with the symbols of Glasgow’s coat of arms) Glasgow ! YOUPI, Janice ! YES, let’s go to Glasgow ! You know, I was looking [...]

What a great tour into Sue Walker’s literary work you just guided us through Mairiuna! It is so interesting that I will continue on the same path for a while and explore how the unique atmosphere of a particular place provides inspiration to an author. And come to think of it, to capture such “sense of [...]

What a good idea, Janice, to have chosen this quotation from Sue Walker. It perfectly illustrates the idea of a “sense of place” which has always played so important a part in Scottish literature. Sue Walker is a popular Scottish crime fiction writer.  As she was born and has lived for some time  in Edinburgh [...]