Shona MacLean

Front view of small, glazed wooden 'Little FreeLibrary' attached to someone's wooden fence. Contains a variety of novels and non-fiction for adults snd children. Light yellow pine, shaped like a bird box with a bright red roof. Fence painted green.

Side view, showing wrought-iton supports in shape of birds.

Some neighbours in our village put up this lovely Little Free Library on their fence. Made their own expense to replace an earlier one that wasn't waterproof. Adding something good to the community.

😄

What I have learned today that surprises me: once bottled, whisky ceases to age and its character remains unchanged.

Very threatening black and grey clouds sweeping across a blue sky above a village in the Highlands.

Should I take in the washing when I get home?

That's probably it.

Tote bag printed on one side with names, in order of Christian name, of 54 writers. My name, as 'S.G. MacLean' on 2nd bottom line, in between 'Robert Burns' and 'Shena Mackay'.

'Read Scotland' bag from The Highland Bookshop in Fort William. So many of my favourite writers on here (I would add Andrew Greig and Iain Crichton Smith and some others). You could not pay me enough money to get this bag off me.

Just a note to anyone who's coming to see me and Anna Caig at the Highland Bookshop in Fort William tonight, I have just found out that the event starts at *7 p.m.*, not, as I had understood and as advertised on my schedule of events, at 6. Apologies for any inconvenience. 🙄

Sign through train window marking Drumochter Pass, highest point on rail network at 1484ft. Snow-covered hill in background.

Drumochter Pass. Highest point on the British rail network. Nearly got it.

The exposed inner end wall of a building that has been demolished. Evidence of old fireplaces- one with tiles - on different levels, doorways, remnants of decor schemes.

Gap site on Edinburgh's Princes Street: tell me your stories.

Fossil fish slab excavated 1850s, Fife by Professor Matthew Foster Heddle.

My contribution of a fossil viewed in February at St Andrews Wardlaw museum: a fossil fish slab excavated in Fife, 1850s, by University mineralogist, Professor Matthew Foster Heddle.

A walled back yard, seen from above, mixed brickwork, masonry, tiles. Domestic. Reminiscent of the style of Pieter de Hooch.

In Northumberland, waiting for Pieter de Hooch to appear with his paintbrush.

Nighttime photo showing Edinburgh castle above an illuminated National Gallery of Scotland.

Capital of my country. Still takes my breath away.

This is what I feel about the endless reporting by serious news outlets of 'what he says' when it is clearly rambling nonsense. "Sanewashing" is the term, I think.

Good luck!

How to End a Story (collected diaries) Helen Garner.

Setting out on 3 days travel, determined to eat healthily & travel light, I packed only 1 novel. A lengthy connection at Inverness sent me to Waterstones 'for a birthday card'. I emerged with an 800 page pbk rammed into my bag, then had coffee & large iced bun in station. It was not yet 1/2 past 9.

Thank you. Yes, I posted about this a couple of days ago here and on Instagram. Thank you for reporting.

It's competition time! 📚

We're giving away an entire set of the 2025 #WolfsonHistoryPrize shortlist.

For a chance to win, you must:
1) Follow us on Bluesky
2) Like and reshare this post on Bluesky

Entries close 13/03/2026 10AM GMT. UK only.

Have you been left itching for more after our Further From Festival? Bit of a history buff? Tomorrow afternoon @shonamaclean.bsky.social will be here in Linlithgow to discuss her new historical novel The Cromarty Library Circle! Tickets are still available in the shop & here tinyurl.com/ShonaMaclean

Fortunately, my standards are very low.

I think Honigschmerz probably does it for me.

Been meaning to invite you to dinner for ages. Bring a bottle
...

And today I discover I accidentally re-gifted that fancy honey I was looking forward to having on my toast this morning. Alas.

😊

Great! I hope you will enjoy your trip to Cromarty.

Even though the Further From Festival is over, we're not slowing down! On Wednesday, at 2pm, we'll be joined by the wonderful @shonamaclean.bsky.social for an afternoon discussing her new book The Cromarty Library Circle! Tickets are still available in the shop or at tinyurl.com/FFTMCSGMaclean

A mug decorated as the cover of The Cromarty Library Circle by Shona MacLean, alongside the Sunday Times Books section's historical fiction pick of the month, The Cromarty Library Circle.

For a more cheerful post than the one about scammers, this was me yesterday, matching my coffee mug to The Sunday Times books section.

On the advice of my agent: a notice to other writers warning them not to be taken in by scammers contacting them, claiming to be me, offering to advise on or collaborate with their work. I never do this. It's not me. I feel so angry about those who'd cheat others who work hard and have a dream.

Note to visitors to Scotland: if conversation ever lulls, utter the words, 'Perth Railway Station', and sit back. I've been promoting my new book this week & posting on Insta. Most engagement by far is for a pic of 1/2 my face, a blurry clock, & remark on the inevitability of Perth Railway station.

Hilton of Cadboll - replica Pictish stone by an ancient chapel site that was used for the burial of unbaptised infants and suicide victims upto the 18th century. This is a fascinating stone for its central depiction of a woman. Original in National Museum #Scotland #medievalsky #archaeology