For May, I have a Scots Box prize up for grabs on my FaceBook author page. The prize includes a wee Heilan coo (Highland Cow) key chain and two postcards, all purchased in Scotland on my last trip. Plus a signed print copy of My Captive Highlander and some author swag items. To enter, click here to go to my FaceBook author page, look for the photos, read the post, and comment underneath. The winner will be announced in my June newsletter. So be sure to subscribe. Thanks so mu

The first time I visited Scotland in 2007 I was a complete newbie. I had never traveled out of the US. I had only flown previously on one trip. My friend and I didn't know the first thing about how to get to Scotland. We decided we wanted to go on a guided coach (bus) tour. Not knowing how to book our flights, we went to a travel agency and they handled everything. The flights and tour lined up seamlessly. Whew! That was easy. If you're a complete novice at traveling, then th

On my last blog post about planning your trip to Scotland, I covered how you need to decide when you're going, who you're going with, how you're going to get around and how long your trip will be. The next thing I do is book airline tickets. I use Trip Advisor, but you can use any travel website that compares prices from all the airlines. (Some people prefer Google Flights.) Do a search for Trip Advisor. On the top menu, click "Flights." In the first box, type in your departu

I love it when people ask me for tips in planning Scotland vacations/holidays. I've been to Scotland seven times in ten years, but I have only scratched the surface. I enjoy learning new things each time and challenging myself. I haven't been everywhere in Scotland and I haven't tried everything. Each time I go for research, I want to visit new places and experience different things than I have before. A lot of people think planning a trip is difficult. At first it can seem t

I was fortunate to get to take a research trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, in September and I enjoyed every minute of it. Here, in no particular order, are five of my favorite places to visit. There were actually several more I wanted to add to the list, but I had to restrain myself. The Scott Monument, in Princes Street Gardens, is a memorial to Sir Walter Scott and is the largest built for an author in the world. Completed in 1844, the Gothic structure is an icon and easily rec

Almost everywhere you stop and look in Scotland, you'll find an awe-inspiring view. But here are 10 of my favorites. Corrieshalloch Gorge in Ross-shire is approximately ten miles south of Ullapool. The focus of this site is the waterfall and gorge which are amazing, but the view down over Strath Broom to Loch Broom is simply stunning, especially with the wildflowers in the foreground. I recommend this site as a wonderful place to walk through nature. Eilean Donan Castle is su