All Hallow’s Holiday – A Graveyard, because there has to be a Graveyard in a Halloween Holiday

Well, follow us Wee Readers round Parish of Auldearn – or more accurately it’s graveyard. Because every Halloween holiday needs a visit to a graveyard.

Interesting fact, the witch trials that took place in this parish back in 1662 were some of the most significant in Scottish History thanks in no small part to Isobel Gowdie and her confession.

The ruin of the old church.

Graves, Graves, oh so many graves.

And off we go, on to our next adventure.

If you’ve enjoyed this wee post remember to follow the Wee Blog if you haven’t already. Also check me out on X, Goodreads, Instagram, Mastodon, Threads, Pinterest, Tumblr, Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and Kofi. Until next time stay safe, and have a bonnie day.

All Hallow’s Holiday – A Ruin and a whole bunch of stone circles

And now that we have a temporary home base we head out for our adventures. First stop a castle ruin in someone’s backyard. Don’t worry we were allowed to be there this isn’t a breaking and entering situation.

Fun fact this castle was actually cursed to become a ruin by the famous Scottish witch Isobel Gowdie.

And now we’re on the trail for some stone circles.

And we found them.

A whole lot of them.

All Hallow’s Holliday – A Holliday Cottage is reached

Well, finally people, we reached our destination. And to welcome us to the city of Nairn we found a Victorian era post box.

And a beach a stone’s throw away from our holiday cottage.

And speaking of our cottage.

We usually live in the woods so it was actually a nice change – at least for a two day holiday – to have houses on both sides of us.

All Hallow’s Holiday – The Hillock

And so as we march on towards our destination ; may I introduce Downie Hillock. A small knoll with the remains of an Iron Age hill fort at the top now found in the forest of Downie.

Climbing up Downie Hillock.

Standing on top of Downie Hillock.

Making our way down Downie Hillock.

Getting Lost in the forest below Downie Hillock.

All Hollow’s Holliday – Into the Woods

Well, our next stop was a walk in Speymouth forest.

Speymouth forest is large, measuring about 9,945 acres in total.

It is located on the right bank of the River Spey – hence, probably, the name – in the area of Moray. I would give more facts but I’ll be honest these posts are really more about the photos.

All Hallow’s Holiday – The Well

What Ho, Wee Readers and Welcome to the first post of the All Hallow’s Holiday. Our first stop takes us to the village of Portsoy and yes we are in a graveyard. You may find it creepy but I find it thematic.

Built in the early part of the 7th Century – so it’s said – this well is covered by a stone cupola standing opposite the gravestones of Portsoy.

Said to be built near the sight of church dedicated to St. Columba this sight has an almost eery feel to it when you step past that stone arch and into the well beyond.

The well is replenished by a fresh water spring.

And kept hidden in an earth mound of possible ancient origins.

Well, that was our first stop now back onto the road towards our holiday cottage.

The Wee Writing Lassie Takes a Holiday

Well, Wee Readers, the Challenge has ended and now we step into the future by taking a look to the past. Yes, I know that doesn’t really make sense but follow me.

Last Halloween I went on a little holiday. I had been planning to blog about it at the time but the release schedule for the 300 challenge posts had gotten too rigorous and it was just easier to focus on them instead. But now I have time for everything else … so we’re going to take a little delve back to the end of October and beginning of November of 2025 when a certain Wee Writing Lassie took a holiday up to Nairn.

As is my usually style I will separate this story into separate blog posts, detailing individual moments from my Wee Holiday, ending with a final one (not counting the playlist) that I will release on the Wee Mailing List. So make sure to sign up for that today to not miss the final adventure of the Wee Writing Lassie on her All Hallow’s Holiday.

Ooh, I think the Playlist has a name 😁

This is going to be fun.

It’s a Winter Wonderland and I’m stuck at Home

Well, it’s another snow day in gloomy old Scotland and once again, I am unable to get to work. And yes, that’s a complaint not a declaration of joy. Surprisingly I actually quite like my day job and I would like to get back to it please… you hear that universe … I would like to get back to it.

Oh well, could be worse … at least I’m safe and warm at home. And the snow really is quite pretty. So please join me as we wait for the snow to melt and let’s look through some of my prettiest pictures.

Okay that’s us, now I’m going back to my room to scream into a pillow. I’m joking of course, but I think up here in Britain we’re all about ready for the snow to be done and life to start again. Hopefully by my next post the weather will have improved.

The Wee Writing Lassie’s 300 Books in a Year – The Spotify Playlist

Well, I did it Wee Readers, part of me didn’t think I could but I did. 300 books in a year. Man that was exhausting and a bit of a race to finish by the end. Fun fact, a few months back I switched day jobs – I’m no longer a housekeeper and am working at a fish factory, which is a lot less disgusting than I thought it would be ( but then so long as I don’t have to clean toilets I’m good as gold) – which meant my work hours changed drastically. Namely I got a lot more of them. Which while undoubtedly a positive thing as it means I’m earning a lot more money, and therefore have more to spend on fun things like books, it also meant I didn’t have as much free time to do things like read said books.

But somehow through a lot of early mornings and late nights the book reading gods were on my side and I managed it.

300 books in a year.

Now, you might be wandering , Wee Reader, what’s next for the Wee Writing Lassie.

Well, first things first, we have a Spotify Playlist for my 300 Book Challenge.

The Wee Writing Lassie’s 300 Books in a Year

Yes, that’s 301 songs for each post of the series – baring this one of course – each thoughtfully chosen to reflect the book it matches.

As for what comes after well … while I won’t be recording another Goodreads Challenge on the Wee Blog (at least not this year) the 300 Book Challenge has made me realise how much I enjoy sharing what I’m reading here. So, I’ve decided to start another blog series of book reviews. I’m still workshopping the title but I’m thinking something on the lines of the Wee Writing Lassie’s Bookshelf or something of a similar ilk, again still workshopping. This will not be any kind of Book Challenge as I’m throughly looking forward to slowing down and really taking the time to enjoy the books I read without worrying if my book count is falling for the foreseeable future. In fact, I hope this more slow and thoughtful approach to reading will be reflected in the reviews themselves as I intend to make them much more detailed. Covering topics such as favourite characters, themes, and scenes, amongst other topics

Because there will be no book count it means I can tackle some of the longer books in my library that I’d been putting off less they cause me to fall behind in my 300 book challenge. In fact the first review will be such a book.

A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

The Wee Writing Lassie’s 300 Books in a Year – Book 300

The Bicentennial Man and Other Stories by Isaac Asimov

Goodreads Blurb: Andrew was one of Earth’s first house robot domestic servants—smoothly designed and functional. But when Andrew started to develop special talents which exceeded the confines of his allotted positronic pathways, he abandoned his domestic duties in favour of more intellectual pursuits. As time passed, Andrew acquired knowledge, feelings and ambitions way beyond anything ever experienced by any other mechanical men. And he found himself launched on to a career which would bring him fame fortune — and danger. For a robot who wants to be human must also be prepared to die…

In the Bicentennial Man, Isaac Asimov returns to his first and most enduring love — robotics. The result is a brilliant book of first-class entertainment and mind-spinning ideas which confirm Asimov’s supreme status as Grand Master of science fiction.

(Goodreads Page)

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Goodreads Review: Of course the Bicentennial Man is the best story in this collection, better even than the film I’d say, but they’ve all got a sort of haunting magnetism that just makes you want to read on and never stop. Honestly, I’m kind of disappointed it’s over now 😢

Amazon Associates: The Bicentennial Man and Other Stories by Isaac Asimov