Monday, November 9, 2020

Inspiration for a Series at the Tomb of the Eagles by Mary Morgan

Often times, readers will ask where I get my source of inspiration for my stories. And my answer is simple. My travels! I’ve been blessed with several adventures to England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. Each time I’ve visited, I have started a story and/or series. Thank goodness for my leather travel journal.  

With my recent new release, MAGNAR, The Wolves of Clan Sutherland, Book 1, I uncovered a treasure trove of inspiration.

During our trip several years ago to Northern Scotland and the Orkney Islands, my husband and I were fortunate to have a personal guide escort us. David Ladd was exceptional in his knowledge—from referencing the names of flowers in the most obscure places to the wildlife and history, especially during our travels on Orkney. He took us on an amazing adventure, oftentimes off the well-worn path, revealing spectacular vistas. I shall always treasure our time with him and for allowing me to crawl into the Tomb of the Eagles in South Ronaldsay, Orkney. For a few hazarding moments, I worried David and my husband when I had trouble getting out of the small tomb. Was I worried? No. 

Before I entered, rain and wind pelted us on our mile walk up the hill. Once I crawled inside the small tomb, I stood and encountered utter silence—no howling wind and no rain leaked through the crevices of stone. It was as if I entered another time and place—literally. Here were my immediate reactions within this cairn: Peace. Stillness. I am not alone.

Let me explain further about the Tomb of the Eagles…

Located above the dramatic South Ronaldsay cliffs, the Isbister Chambered Cairn—better known today as the ‘Tomb of the Eagles’—is one of Orkney's top archaeological sites. Discovered by a local farmer Ronnie Simison in the 1950s, the Stone Age tomb revealed an amazing collection of bones and artifacts, placed here some 5,000 years ago. Among the human bones, there were many talons and bones of the white-tailed eagle.

The Tomb of Eagles played an important part in the book. I took my experience and wove it into the story and through Magnar.

To learn more visit: http://www.tomboftheeagles.co.uk/






 

7 comments:

Maureen said...

It's great to hear about your inspiration. You've got to visit some pretty awesome places. Thanks for sharing!

Nightingale said...

What a wonderful experience your trip to Scotland and the Orkneys must have been. I can see why it inspired you to write. Welcome aboard, Mary. Fantastic post.

Diane Burton said...

Welcome, Mary. Glad to have you with us. Great 1st post. I always enjoy reading about what inspired a story.

Mary Morgan said...

Thanks, Maureen, Linda, and Diane! Great to be here! I'm sooo longing for a trip back to Scotland, too. Heck! I'll take a trip anywhere right now. Hope you're all doing well.

Marilyn Barr said...

Welcome Mary!

Visiting the British Isles is on my bucket list. I know to come to you for places to visit. A guided trip learning about megaliths and their surrounding flora sounds like a dream come true. Thank you so much for sharing.

Lea Kirk said...

What an amazing experience, Mary! Thank you for sharing it with us. I could hear the silence.

Mary Morgan said...

Thanks, Lea. Even after three years, I can still "feel" this awesome experience I had inside the tomb. It truly helped my muse for the series.