The Highland Witch, also known as the witch of the Highlands, is a figure in Scottish folklore and mythology. The term refers to a magical practitioner who is believed to possess supernatural abilities, often associated with dark magic. In Scottish culture, the Highland Witch was considered to be a feared and powerful individual. They were believed to have the ability to cast spells, brew potions, and communicate with spirits. They were also thought to be able to shape-shift into animals and control the weather. The Highland Witch was often viewed with suspicion and fear by the local communities.
Originally from England, Corrag races north to Scotland at the request of her mother who is about to be hanged for witchcraft. By association, Corrag herself is viewed as a witch given her knowledge of herbs, healing, and her sensitive focus toward the natural world. Corrag’s grey mare takes her north, and the bond she shares with the animal (and the many she meets thereafter) is deep and heartbreaking. In fact, this entire novel is heartbreaking. Susan Fletcher’s writing style and her description of very specific details otherwise overlooked are astoundingly original and heartwrenching.
The massacre occured after the MacDonald Clan swore their oath albeit by a forced hand to King William too late, subsequently solidifying the Jacobite cause in Scotland for years to come. Corrag s tale is framed in that the story begins with her in jail awaiting execution while she tells her story to Charles Leslie, who in reality published the story of the Glencoe Massacre.
The Highland Witch was often viewed with suspicion and fear by the local communities. They were seen as a threat to the social order and were believed to be responsible for misfortunes such as illness, crop failures, and livestock deaths. As a result, they were often ostracized or subjected to persecution by their neighbors.
The Highland Witch
Priding herself on her hunting skills and fiercely independent, Rowan spent her first fifteen years living in the solitary highlands of 14th century Scotland. Abandoned as a babe but rescued by Elden the Seer, Rowan believes she is a child of the woods, never admitting even to herself the secret sadness of being a forsaken child.
Elden the Seer has visions of the future. But secrets of the past are circling to once again claim a woman he loves. The first time it was his mother, the Highland Witch. Now it is her daughter and his half-sister, Rowan. There is power in this family yes, but is it enough to forestall another death?
Colin of Dunrobin, helped defeat the English at the Battle of Bannockburn. His reward? Castle Lochalsh. But the prize comes with the obligation to marry the English daughter of the castle’s defeated owner Lord Landsmere.
It is this daughter, Gwynneth, who holds close to her twisted heart the hope of revenging the death of her parents. At sixteen years of age she has the English contempt for the highlanders and carries seeds of her mother’s love of the dark arts.
A brief glimpse of Rowan hunting, and his subsequent marriage to Gwynneth begins Colin’s unknowing journey into the prophecy of Thomas the Rhymer. “A wall of stone is a gift well said but within its heart is a depth of dread. With a hunter’s speed there comes the song: to claim the gift is to right the wrong.”
This ‘wrong’ began when the English pushed aside ruins of an ancient church to build castle Lochalsh. This ‘wrong’ continued with the death of the Highland Witch at the hands of Lady Landsmere. This wrong’ is back once again. Only Colin can make it right. And only Elden the Seer can guide the headstrong Rowan, keeping her from the fate of the Highland Witch.
First published July 2, 2012
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Karen Jones 6 books 19 followersAuthor, educator and broadcast journalist, Karen Jones holds degrees in English and Education from the University of Virginia.
Her latest release, The Summer of Grace, is a southern coming of age set in 1951 NC, released by Brother Mockingbird Publications.
Jones' first novel, Kingdom of Hearts was published in 1997 by the duplicitous and financially corrupt Commonwealth Publications in a disaster of epic proportions. The resulting scandal helped inspire former FBI agent Jim Fisher’s book Ten Percent of Nothing The Case of the Literary Agent from Hell.
Her second book, Up the Bestseller Lists, Adams Media, 2001, co-authored with Kathleen Brehony offers hands-on advice and guerilla techniques for authors who want to aggressively and successfully promote and market their work. Her third book, Death for Beginners, a nonfiction how-to book, is a practical guide for arranging a graceful exit written with baby boomers in mind has been published by Quill Driver Books. Her most recent work, The Highland Witch is on Kindle.
Jones has fifteen years of experience in television news at WVEC, an ABC affiliate, as an on-air anchor and feature reporter. In addition, working as a series producer she wrote and hosted the long-form series “The Haunting of Virginia” which won an Associated Press Award. She also collaborated with the BBC on its award winning series Pocahontas. Karen’s media experience also includes stints as an on-air personality at WNOR, WAFX, and WNIS, in both the talk-radio and rock-n-roll radio format.
She directed the Virginia Writers Conference for five years, is an advisor for the Bay School for the Arts, and is a member of the National League of American Pen Women and The Authors Guild.
Karen has worked for ten years as an educator in the public schools, both teaching and writing curriculum. She has taught writing workshops and seminars at Louisiana State University, Austin Peay University, Old Dominion University and has taught courses in romance novel writing at the University of Richmond and Christopher Newport University.
Karen is currently witting the sequel to The Summer of Grace and her husband is buying more wine.
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Despite the fear and mistrust associated with them, the Highland Witch was also often sought out for their supernatural abilities. People would approach them for help with problems ranging from love spells to curses on enemies. It was believed that their magic could bring about desired outcomes or inflict harm on others. In the popular imagination, the Highland Witch is often depicted as an old woman with wild hair, dressed in dark robes, and wearing a pointed hat. This image has been perpetuated through various forms of media, such as literature, art, and film. However, it is essential to note that the portrayal of the Highland Witch is largely rooted in folklore and mythology. There is no historical evidence to suggest that such individuals actually existed or possessed supernatural powers. The belief in witchcraft was prevalent in Scotland during the early modern period, resulting in numerous accusations, trials, and executions of individuals accused of practicing witchcraft. Today, the Highland Witch remains an intriguing figure in Scottish folklore. They continue to capture the imagination and fascination of people interested in the occult and the history of witchcraft..
Reviews for "The Highland Witch's Role in Scottish History"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Highland Witch". The plot was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to follow along and invest in the story. The characters felt shallow and their development was lacking. It felt like the author was trying to cram too much into one book, resulting in a messy and disjointed narrative. Overall, I found it hard to engage with the story and it left me unsatisfied.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't finish "The Highland Witch" as I found it incredibly boring and uninteresting. The pacing was slow and the story lacked any real excitement or suspense. The characters were unremarkable and I couldn't connect with them on any level. The writing style felt dull and monotonous, making it a struggle to stay engaged. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an entertaining read.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "The Highland Witch" fell short of my expectations. The historical setting was promising, but unfortunately, it was overshadowed by a weak and predictable storyline. The romance between the main characters felt forced and lacked depth. Additionally, the dialogue was often cringe-worthy and unrealistic. I had hoped for a captivating and immersive experience, but I found myself constantly checking how many pages were left. Overall, this book was a letdown and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Mike - 3 stars - While "The Highland Witch" had its moments, I couldn't fully enjoy it due to the numerous grammatical errors and typos throughout the book. The poor editing and proofreading distracted me from the story and made it difficult to fully appreciate the author's writing. Despite some interesting plot points, the constant grammatical mishaps took away from my overall reading experience. I would suggest the author invest in a better editing process for future works.