The McRae estate - a tour
Welcome to my tour of the McRae estate and surroundings.
Many of you readers have asked for visual inspiration for locations in the books, or even sent your own in to my Facebook reader group. I’ve put a selection on this page for you to enjoy. Read on to see chief of the clan Callum’s home and more.
For a full reading list of all my books, go here.
(Photos licensed by the author or provided by and copyright of named readers.)
Castle McRae can first be glimpsed as you drive the loch road, before you pass by the tall stone gateposts that mark the McRae estate.
With a mountain soaring behind, the centuries-old building makes an imposing sight in the dramatic Scottish landscape.
But there’s a sense of friendliness to it too, with its ramshackle shape and constant activity.
Someone is always home. The fire in the Great Hall constantly burns. There’s ever space for visitors.
A ten-minute drive through the thick pine forest to the left takes you to Braithar. Gordain’s refuge. Ella’s gift.
Set with a river winding before it, Braithar is prettier than Castle McRae with corner turrets and even stonework.
More importantly, it’s a happy home to the laird and his kin. Also to Ella’s recording studio.
Home for the McRae clan is deep within the Cairngorms National Park. Rural, wild, and utterly beautiful.
Spot the stag in this picture! Cameron in Hunted is a fierce second in command of the mountain rescue and manager of the land, but can’t bring himself to cull the deer than run rampant on the estate.
The animals, both domestic and wild, are as rugged as the Scots.
(Photo copyright: Ciara Clancy)
The pace of life changes the further in you go (though don’t expect things to ever be calm).
(Photo copyright: Ciara Clancy)
Gorgeous views are everywhere.
(Photo copyright: Karen Gray)
Several businesses thrive on the estate, including the Fitzroy-McRae Snowboarding Centre.
The building was the result of years of planning, and one big-time romance between huge Lennox and tiny Isobel.
The Mountain Rescue service operates all year round, and many of the McRaes volunteer.
The new leader of the service, Lochie, catches the eye of one McRae particularly. Cait is in trouble in more ways than one.
Further afield, Skye catches the eye of Artair, owner of the island of Duine (doon-yeah) in the Inner Hebrides.
She also fell pregnant after one heck of a steamy one-night stand, taking away more than just happy memories of her visit.
In Stolen, Rory and Maddock drive over Bealach na Bà - a mountain pass in the Western Highlands.
(Photo copyright: Claire L Stewart)
This twisty route dazzles Rory as much as when Maddock offers to take his shirt off to distract her from her fear of flying.
They go on to Balnakeil beach where there’s an emotional showdown.
No spoilers, but the scenery makes an appropriately dramatic backdrop to the big feelings shared on the cool sands.
