IS SCOTLAND THE RIGHT SETTING FOR YOUR NEXT NOVEL?

You have an idea for a book. The plot, the characters and maybe even the ending, but where is your book set? Is it the Old West, the underbelly of gangland London or the plague infested streets of old Edinburgh? Harold Samuel coined the phrase Location, Location, Location. He was talking about property, but the same could be said for writing a book. Unless there’s a reason your hunk on the beach is in full western attire or your female protagonist is wandering the Royal halls of Linlithgow Palace in a bikini, then you need to make sure the story fits the location.

It’s also not a good idea if the reason your book is set in Scotland is because you’ve seen Outlander, Highlander or Braveheart. Your credibility will die immediately if your character is wearing a ginger haired, tartan Jimmy hat and a kilt, with a bottle of whiskey in one hand and a packet of shortbread in the other. Know the place you’re writing about. Come visit, speak to people that are Scottish, share a wee dram and soak in the atmosphere. For me, the setting had to be Scotland. Its where I was born, raised and live, and the places I’ve written about have been driven past, visited or explored in detail over the years. Its home, so what could be better than writing about places that have a special meaning in my life.

When my main character, Grace, is painting a scene from Loch Lubnaig, I can picture the memories of stopping here on our way through to Oban, going for a drive to see the majestic mountains of Glencoe or taking a different route on a holiday to the Isle of Skye.

Having driven for around an hour and a half and stopping off at Callander to use the facilities or to buy something from one of the lovely shops that adorn the High Street, its back in the car and following the road until the small car park comes into view. It’s where we stop for a coffee and a roll or a piece of cake, to stretch our legs and of course to see who could win at skimming stones. The title which has long been held by my sister, even after a wrongly thrown stone by me, bounced back off a boulder and hit her in the shin, doubling her over in excruciating pain! I thought it was hilarious, my sister, not so much. There have been times when I’ve stood there basking in the sunshine, listening to the birds sing or taking a quick look before dashing back to the car and turning the heating on full blast. Loch Lubnaig is part of the @lomondtrossachs which says it all really. A stunning place to visit and who knows maybe you could write a bestseller set here. Whatever the time of year it’s definitely worthy of a wee stop in passing.

There are so many places like this to discover from the Highlands to the Lowlands and the big cities of the Central Belt, some I’ve maybe yet to discover myself. Write about what you know. Maybe the best location for your book is the park at the end of your street, where many a dodgy deal could be made, setting the scene for a dark thriller or maybe it’s the abandoned factory in town, where stories have been told to kids to keep them away from danger, but is the perfect place for the horror story that no-one knew about from years gone by.

Scotland is an amazing country full of rich history, incredible landscapes, and very kind and compassionate people with a sharp sense of humour. You never have to dig too deep to find an idea for your next novel. Could it be the right setting for you?

 

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