Mar
09

Writing into the Inspiration of Place

Roman brig – Bothwellhaugh – 1911

During my time in Scotland, researching my novel, I fell in love with a small Roman brig near the site of where my great-grandparents’ mining village once stood. (Bothwellhaugh, Lanarkshire) It conjured for me a strong sense of place and a romanticism that followed me home, begging me to write it into my story.

I knew that it really had no place to sit naturally, so for a long time I gave up on the idea. Until… I needed a short intro to the setting and characters that I wanted to set some years previous to the story.

In my mind, I could see a laddie and a wee lass with him, hiding under the brig (as they called it) and could hear them whispering. The rest you’ll have to wait to find out about when you read the book. I wanted to share my source of inspiration though.

Chris at Roman Brig – Bothwellhaugh 2010

(Special thanks to the marvellous Tom Eadie in Scotland for sharing so generously, and often, of his knowledge of Bothwellhaugh and things Scottish. And for sharing the image on the postcard pictured at top.)

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Trevor Cairney" alt="Trevor Cairney">

Trevor Cairney

Hi Chris,

As someone whose Dad came from Lanarkshire and who has visited the old mining village where they once lived, I can appreciate that sense of place. I will look forward to reading the book.

Thanks for dropping by my blog today.

Trevor

March 9, 2011 at 1:00 pm
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    christinemareebell" alt="christinemareebell">

    christinemareebell

    Hi Trevor

    How brilliant that you got to visit the old mining village where your family lived. Sadly, there is no trace of Bothwellhaugh as it was demolished after they moved the last of villagers out and part of the land was flooded to create the Strathclyde Loch. I would have given anything to have seen it. I’m so lucky to have a copy of a home movie taken in the final years and a vivid imagination. (Research and the help of a wonderful ex-resident are helping too.)

    Hope I won’t make you wait too long for the book. 🙂 🙂

    Best wishes,
    Chris

    March 9, 2011 at 3:04 pm
    Reply

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Categories: My writing journey Research Story ideas

Tags: Bothwellhaugh, Setting Research, Writing Inspiration

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