Traveling to Scotland for some much needed vacation and inspiration

Castle Dunnottar in Scotland at sunset.

So, just a note to say I’ll be out of touch for the next two weeks while I’m traveling across the pond to visit the home of Robert Burns, J.K. Rowling, Sir Walter Scott, Braveheart, Outlander, and Princess Merida. My wife and I are celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary with a trip to Scotland. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for both of us. I’ve been to England before, during my Navy career, but never to Scotland. We’re visiting Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, and Glasgow. It’s going to be a great adventure.

The Kelpies sculptures in Helix Park outside Edinburgh.

Besides the castles, Loch Ness, book stores (a must), the Writer’s Museum (another must), and a whiskey distillery (a major must), I am looking forward to simply walking through the history in the streets and castle walls and experiencing the mythology of this ancient land. The faeries, the kelpies, and other mythical creatures always enchanted me, and walking in the glens (forests), the lochs (lakes), the munros (mountains), and among the stones of these myths and legends that I’ve written about all these years.

On that note, I’ll be taking a break and not posting anything for the next two weeks, except for vacation photos on my social media. I encourage those interested in being ARC Readers for my upcoming fantasy book release, A Dance of Darklings and Demons, to sign up! You can also check out my books at the links above and order copies through the ‘Buy My Books’ link.

My next event is 2nd Sundays Williamsburg on Sunday, October 12, in historic Williamsburg, VA. This will be one of my last Events of the year, so I hope to see you in Williamsburg to end a great 2025.


Sign up to be an ARC Reader for my next epic fantasy book

Are you into epic, high fantasy? Are you looking for something new and exciting to read? Then, I’ve got an offer for you!

I have a new book coming out this Fall from Curious Corvid Publishing, A Dance of Darklings and Demons. It’s a story of a war veteran fighting to protect his family, friends, and home from the Darkling threat while fighting religious persecution in a world that considers him a demon. Canaan Treyhawke is an Alchemage, a shadow hunter and follower of Atua. His kind are necessary tools against the Darkling horde, but are considered heretics to the pantheon of Ard. As Canaan uncovers a plot that threatens all of Ard, he must fight to save the very people who despise his very existence.

If this and stories of steampunk and magic intrigue you, sign up in the JOIN MY EMAIL LIST link in the right-hand column ►►►►►! You will receive updates on my upcoming releases and other exclusive content! I promise, NO SPAM and NO SOLICITATIONS, only great news about my upcoming book events and releases!

Stay tuned for my cover reveal and release date for my next epic fantasy, A Dance of Darklings and Demons, coming this Fall from Curious Corvid Publishing.

Check out Buy My Books to pick out your next binge read!

Mark Piggott is an award-winning independent author of several fantasy/steampunk novels and short stories. A 23-year U.S. Navy veteran, his stories will take you from the shores of eternal Avalon to a dystopian steampunk future and other fantastic worlds as he weaves through a myriad of flights of fancy in his tales.