Helen Grant
@helengrantsays
Lives in Scotland & writes books. Order my new novella STEAL ME from Absinthe Books. Short story collection ATMOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES available from Swan River Press. Perthshire Gothic. M.R.James fiend. Represented by John Jarrold.
I'm reading James Herbert's DOMAIN and the chapter headings have these cute lil' rats on them
OH is somewhere in the Highlands, planning to do an abominable looking climb with a mate today. This is where he slept last night.
Many, many a long year ago I actually had a Triumph Spitfire (Mk 4) myself, and I well remember the joy of driving around country lanes. That car could NOT go fast, but it could turn on a sixpence, as they say. It was British Leyland magenta, a kind of purple colour.
Daughter and I (and the dog) went to see Pitlochry dam yesterday 🏴
...and it was this. I see it every time I pass that way, and I've long thought: I bet that's a burial mound.
After that I crossed over into the square where there was a large bear statue with the Knock of Crieff painted on the side. They had cows once before. I quite like this bear.
Adding my scrawl to the signing sheets for my upcoming haunted bookshop novella STEAL ME, out shortly from Ps Publishing!
OH reports that the wildlife is somewhat in your face in Dingwall 😮
There's also a wee museum of actual artefacts including these lovely things:
Various ancient crafts are demonstrated - here are a couple of pics from the woodwork bit!
Roundhouse interior. My son actually helped build the one at Comrie Croft one cold winter. Not a lot of people can say they've done that! 😄
The Crannog itself is still being constructed but is now well advanced! Archaeologist son and girlfriend were very impressed.
Yesterday my son, his girlfriend, the tiny dog and I went to visit the relocated and revamped Scottish Crannog Centre @thescottishcrannog.bsky.social !
A few were sitting on the flowers drinking nectar but the majority were hanging upside down on them, sleeping. It was one of the most marvellous things! Ain't nature wonderful?
Cover art by Samuel Araya for the upcoming Best Horror of the Year 18, which I am proud to say includes my story "60' ", which first appeared in Supernatural Tales.
FB reminded me that 4 years ago I was looking at this, Seahenge, part of the British Museum's wonderful STONEHENGE exhibition. That was one of the best exhibitions I have ever seen - and I was at the 1974 Tutankhamun one.
The castle in question. You can't go inside right now as there are peregrine falcons nesting in it. That is the best reason for not being able to go in ever.