... award winning author of Historical Romance
~ Favorite Scottish Sites
Accurate and thorough research is a necessary part of good writing ...
Favorite Castles in Scotland
- Castles
- You need no other site. This site has a LOT. Select castles and then hit SEARCH. Can reduce to information on a region. And Wow. Be prepared.
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Scottish Clans and Names
- Constructing 12th Century Scottish Gaelic Names
- If you are stickler -- this is great. Now I use some license to my naming, but if you want to be authentic, this site will help!
- Related Names and Spellings
- Have you ever wondered if clans are related? Other ways to spell it? Electric Scotland is ready for you ...
- scotCLANS
- Another great site about clans. Clan Gaelic names, mottos (also in Gaelic), Badge, Lands, Origin, Tartans, and a little history to boot!
- Scottish Name Resources
- Don't you love it when someone sends you to a site that list a bunch of other sites? Well love this one. Not fancy, but thorough!
- The Highland Clans
- Not fancy, but wow, very educational. Provides names, histories, customs, how clans were divided and much much more.
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Famous Battles
- Battles
- Finding a list of battles can be hard! Especially by region or time -- but the Gazetteer has made it easy! You need no other site. Select Battlefield and then hit SEARCH. Can reduce to information on a region. Now that you know the battle -- Google it!
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Scottish Clothing and Style
- 17th & 18th Century Scottish Costume
- While I have yet to write in this time period, when and if I do I will go to this site! Stuff on the highland plaid, the kilt, women Scottish clothing -- the arisaid, shoes, jackets and more links!
- The Arisaid
- I like pictures. And here is a great one. They are really neat outfits and very versatile ... but as a romance author not so revealing and stimulating.
- Highland Dress for Women
- The Scottish Tartans Authority have a lovely site with concise descriptive information.
- Scottish Headpieces
- These are pictures that inspire me when I write. They are quite beautiful.
- Medieval and Celtic Jewelry
- Not all Celtic, but these have great pictures and the jewelry is detailed and beautiful. These stir my imagination ... and my pocketbook.
- Luckenbooths
- A Scottish brooch! Key to secure a woman's plaid. I absolutely find these stunning!
- Evolution of the Kilt
- Oh -- to learn that the kilt wasn't part of the 13th century. But I wanted my men in kilts ... so I fudged a little, but the truth is men didn't wear kilts until the 16th century.
- Be sure to click on Scottish link in the left nav of this site! There are many sub sites to this one.
- The Saffron Shirt
- What highlanders REALLY wore in medieval times!
- Secret of a Scotsman's Sporran
- All about an essential piece of Highland dress.
- Where did the sporran originate? What was its purpose?
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Scotland Geography
- Scotland Council Areas
- Clickable maps! Very easy site to navigate and learn about the cities, lochs, and areas of Scotland.
- Undiscovered Scotland
- A great basic guide on Scotland. The maps are detailed and large and best of all — clickable! Pictures of the areas. PLUS castle locations with links!
- Travel Scotland
- Go to Explore Scotland!!! Information on Scotland Regions, the cities, maps, castles and more. Awesome site.
- Scotland Regions Overview
- This site (which is on Scottish Development International web site) is simple, and that is probably why I like it so much. For a quick simple look at Scotland and its regions, this is a very nice web site.
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Scottish Medieval Life
- Estampie
- A Medieval Dance -- Stamping and vigorous hopping -- hoorah!
- Medieval & Renaissance Scottish Dancing
- Mainly covers the 16th century.
- There are a few references from the late 15th and early 17th centuries.
- Scottish Highland Dance
- The dances, influences and history of Scottish Highland dance. Includes links to sword dancing.
- Medieval Style Bake Oven
- What better way to learn about one than how to build it!
- Medicinal and Magical Herbs of Medieval Europe
- Yes, the site does cover all of Europe -- but applicable to Medieval Scotland too!
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Scottish and Highland Weapons
- Ancient Scottish Weapons
- All about the Scottish shield -- including a picture! Be sure to SCROLL DOWN for a discussion on several early, medieval Scottish weapons.
- Leather Sporrans
- For every highland rider -- Pictures of several examples.
- Weapons and Fighting Methods of the Highland Scots
- I love this site! This site is designed and written for the layman to understand and visualize the historical swordsmanship and warfare practices of the Scottish Highlanders.
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Gaelic Dictionary and Translators
- Gaelic to English Dictionary
- Difficult if you don't know Gaelic, but is useful if you are determined enough to find the word you need.
- Gaelic to English Dictionary - #2
- Another dictionary -- but since it is all on one page you can use the FIND feature!
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