Which is to say that our hotel was apparently _the_ hotel in Aberdeen for wedding nights, anniversaries, and less-licit occasions. The wallpaper in the halls is hot pink, with black-lace flocked appliques–it looks like naughty underwear–and the rooms are done in a tasteful mixture of dark tartan and black velour, with a suggestive tray holding two goblets and a bottle of wine (with a label reading “L13.95″ round the neck. (In case this is insufficient stimulus, Reception sends a fresh bottle of champagne upstairs to the rooms every ten minutes or so.) The bar downstairs runs “Superman” on a continuous loop, and people loll in the couches in couples, thumb-wrestling and fondling each other’s thighs (whilst the strait-laced Americans sit primly sipping white wine and watching the debauchery in fascination).
Beyond the entertainment of our accommodations, we had a great time in Aberdeen. Got to have dinner with Mike Gibb (lyricist and playwright for OUTLANDER: The Musical) and his lovely wife, Norma, and take part in Aberdeen’s Tartan Day. I got to walk in the parade with a lot of people dressed up in suits of armor and/or costumed as the Archbishop, carrying a scroll purporting to be the Declaration of Arbroath, whose most famous line I’m sure you’ve all seen:
“For as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom — for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
Also did a book-signing, courtesy of Waterstone’s, who are always hugely gracious and kind to me—so nice to meet so many readers, not only from Scotland, but from Poland, the Netherlands, and even Brazil!
In the interstices of all this frolicking, I also got to watch Mike’s new short play—commissioned for the occasion—“Red Harlaw,” commemorating the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Harlaw, fought in July of 1411.
It was a great piece—very powerful and moving; kudos to Mike, and to the cast: Mark Kydd, Michelle Bruce, and Allan Scott-Douglas (you’ll recognize Michelle and Allan as singers on the OUTLANDER: The Musical CD). That’s them above, in St. Nicholas’s Church, where the show was performed.
In re Mr. Scott-Douglas, I’d promised him that if he could get a new photograph of us together next time we met, I’d replace the infamous one of him as Big Bird in an earlier blog post {g}—and am happy to report that he seized the opportunity (nothing like motivation) at the reception held by the Lord Provost at Aberdeen’s amazing historical Townhouse (aka City Hall, but much posher, with paintings of previous Lord Provosts, red and gold wallpaper, and crystal chandeliers). Many thanks to the Lord Provost, who was entirely charming!
We bade Aberdeen—and the hot-pink wallpaper—adieu day before yesterday, though, and via planes, trains, and automobiles, made our arduous way to London, where we are at present. Spent the day at the City of London Museum, St. Paul’s cathedral, and out having a wonderful dinner with my delightful UK editor and his wife. More about London (and more bits of Scotland) anon—but now it’s the middle of the night, and I need to sleep.
Good night!
Diana, this week can’t end fast enough. I will be one of the many waiting in line at Fergus, Ontario at the Highland Games.
You must be so tired with all the travel and that you probably just want to sit down and write but I just want to say that your fans very much appreciate the opportunity to see you and attend a book signing. My little fan girl heart is hoping for a picture too. LOL
Scotland sounds lovely and I love the new updated picture of Allan and yourself.
Take care and I love your daily lines on Twitter.
Cheers, MichelleKCanada
@AnotherLookBook
Hello Diana,
I live in Hamilton, On. and I am hoping to get to the highland games this weekend to hear you speak and hopefully get my book signed. Seeing as how you are a repeat guest at the the festival, I was wondering if you could give me a heads up on how big the seating usually is for one of your talks, I would hate to get there and not be able to get in.( I know it will be first come first serve but didn’t know how early I should come ) I was also wondering if you will be reading any excerpts from your books.
Looking forward to hearing you ,
Kathleen
Hi Diana,
I was in London in July. I was wondering, since your characters are sensitive to changes in the socio/political climate and so must their author, if you felt any tensions in London? We certainly did. My NYC daughter commented on the frenetic pace in the city, even much more so than NY. At night, there were loads of young people out in the streets rushing about and being loud. The city had a strange aura about it. I wonder why things exploded as they did.
Dear Mrs. Gabaldon,
My name is Andrea and I suppose I’m not your typical reader. I am 20 years old and African american to boot, but I love your stories and I even convinced my boyfriend to buy me your whole series and the 20 anniversary addition as well. I can’t wait to read more! I love reading your blog, just like your writing, I feel like I”m right there with you. I love your character Claire, and I feel like there has never been a better and sweeter man than Jamie. Thanks so much for inspiring me to continue writing, one day I hope to be as good as you.
Sincerely, Andrea W.
Hi Diana,
I just wanted to say congrats on coming in as # 89 in NPR’s top 100 Science fiction/fantasy list. Yay!
Hi Diana
It was such a pleasure spending time with you at Tartan Day and at the civic reception with the cast of Red Harlaw. I will see you at the Fergus Highland Games this Saturday and I will be accompanied by 7 hard cover books for you to please sign for me. I didn’t bring them to Scotland with me because the weight of them would not allow me to bring anything else! I wish I had gone in to the hotel when we dropped you off so I could experience for myself the special decor and unique entertainment. Of all the places you could have stayed in Aberdeen, you managed to get probably the one hotel that gave you a chance to write something sensational for your site. I wish I had been aware of Aberdeen being the sex capital of Scotland but alas I didn’t know. Looking forward to seeing you again and I have printed off some pictures for you that I took that day. Your books have given me great pleasure and have led to some very special friendships in Scotland.
Heather
Is Outlander to be made a movie? What about Kevin McKidd to play Jamie? Red hair, very easy to look at and Scottish to boot!
Oh look at me go. I just now read your comments in Other Projects. Duh! I guess McKidd would have a hard time playing a 20 year old virgin. Hmmm…….I’m just about as in the dark as you when it comes to Actors and it’s been so long since I first read Outlander, that I forgot how young Jamie was in it.
Ah, Hah!
Rupert Grint
Diana,
Hi from New Zealand, I have been an avid reader all my life, and would like to compliment you on a series that has become an all time favourite of mine, have all 7 of the main series and they are much loved to the extent that they are getting tatty , but, they are no use just sitting on the shelf. Books should be read. Missed your last trip to the Dunedin library, so maybe next time. As an aside my fathers name was Allen John, but he was known to everyone as Joe,
Regards to you and yours,
Graeme Abernathy
Hi Diana
It was such a pleasure spending time with you at Tartan Day and at the civic reception with the cast of Red Harlaw. I will see you at the Fergus Highland Games this Saturday and I will be accompanied by 7 hard cover books for you to please sign for me. I didn’t bring them to Scotland with me because the weight of them would not allow me to bring anything else! I wish I had gone in to the hotel when we dropped you off so I could experience for myself the special decor and unique entertainment. Of all the places you could have stayed in Aberdeen, you managed to get probably the one hotel that gave you a chance to write something sensational for your site. I wish I had been aware of Aberdeen being the sex capital of Scotland but alas I didn’t know. Looking forward to seeing you again and I have printed off some pictures for you that I took that day. Your books have given me great pleasure and have led to some very special friendships in Scotland.
Heather
Diana,
Now this picture of Mr. Scott-Douglas is great! I can see him as Jamie now.
Earlier photos of him did not satisfied the description of him in the books. But, this one certainly does!! Thanks for the post!
Thanks,
Cindi
This is so cool.
Anyone else think that the guy who plays Thor is like Jamie? Check him out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77I-SKeBkQE&feature=related