There’s enough in Edinburgh to keep the average history buff entertained for weeks on end, but for today, keep reading for the abridged version of my time in this fantastic city.
On Holiday in Edinburgh
Planning Ahead — The Logistics of a Scottish Holiday
Two years ago when I planned my first trip to Scotland, I had the average international traveler’s to-do list: Currency Exchange, Transportation Requirements, Accommodation Bookings, etc. But planning a trip with COVID-19 lurking around every corner requires a bit more thought than your average hop across the pond.
The Truth Behind The Battle of Culloden
The romanticized, version of the Jacobite conflict which spanned 50+ years of Scottish history, tends to oversimplify things, and as the story has been told and retold down through the generations, opinions and third-hand accounts have now been cemented in many people’s minds as fact. The Battle of Culloden is a great example of a tall tale growing taller. So, let’s dive a little deeper into what we actually know about the Battle of Culloden and the events surrounding it.
Outlander Book Club – “Lallybroch” & “The Search”
The prodigal son returns this week, and in true Outlander style, Jamie's homecoming is fraught with all the turmoil and drama of a long-running Soap on day-time TV. I can't wait to break it all down for you, so let's get started!!
Outlander Book Club – “On The Road” (Part 2)
This week, I'm taking a look at the second half of Part Three: "On The Road", and if last week's reading was all about basking in the after glow of their wedding, this week is all about what happens when two fiery personalities collide. Join me as I dive into some of the key moments between Jamie and Claire this week that signify the continuing growth of their relationship!
Notable Jacobites of Outlander
An avid researcher, and stickler for the facts, Diana Gabaldon is forever dropping historical Easter eggs throughout her stories, and just like Paris, the setting of pre-Culloden Scotland is blanketed with historical figures. From Jamie’s grandfather, Lord Simon Fraser of Lovat, to Prince Charlie’s advisors, George Murray and John O’Sullivan, key players of the 1745 Jacobite Rising make an appearance throughout Season 2 and Dragonfly in Amber.
Outlander Book Club – “Inverness, 1945”
This is going to be a VERY long droughtlander, and while news of season 6 is slowly starting to trickle in, filming won't be starting for AT LEAST another three months. So, in the meantime, make yourself cozy by the fire with a wee dram, and join me for an Outlander Read Along.
A Little Bit of Lallybroch
For fans of Outlander, the phrase “Take me home to Lallybroch” has been branded on our hearts and in our minds for all time. But when Outlander was picked up by Starz in 2013, the film location chosen by the producers left many fans scratching their heads. Could they make this stunning creation into Jamie Fraser’s beloved childhood home? Short answer, yes.
Crime & Punishment in the Time of Outlander
Over the course of Season 1 alone, we see Jamie apprehended for “obstruction” and flogged within an inch of his life. Claire is arrested for witchcraft and sentenced to burn alive before Jamie comes to the rescue, and Jamie is arrested AGAIN after a run in with a group of redcoats and sentenced to hang for a murder he didn’t commit! All this got me thinking, what was life REALLY like for those on the wrong side of the law in that time?
The Sassenach Files 