Hello!
I’m Kate! I write books inspired by Scotland’s dark folklore and the eldritch beings who haunt its hills, lochs, and ruins. The mystical and misty Gaelic landscape has always held sway over my imagination and my stories often blur the thin boundaries between worlds.
This blog is where I share my interest in Scottish fairies, witches, and the supernatural - and glimpses into my writing process.
You can learn more about my published books Fireside Magic and Fireside Fairy Tales below.
Brew a cup of tea and make yourself at home!
Dare to venture beyond the glass, where stories hold a mirror to our shadows...
In this sinister and spellbinding world, the veil between mortal and supernatural, magic and evil, and BEAUTY and horror is stretched to its thinnest.
Blood-relatives are not who they seem, black metal and witchcraft weave a rite of spring, a girl-child is blessed by a blackthorn bush, and Nicnevin, Queen of the Hags, invades the dreams of the lost.
But beware the danger found within books, for once you behold your true reflection can you ever look away?
In these pages prowl forgotten goddesses, shape-shifting hares, and merciless grandmothers.
For those who find solace in dark folklore and the restless tug of the seasons.
READ BOOK 1 TODAY
Fireside Fairy Tales is a collection of short stories inspired by the Celtic myth, legends and fairy lore of Scotland.
Reaching #4 in Amazon’s Kindle chart for Hot New Releases, and garnering multiple 5-star reviews, find out where other readers are escaping to with this fairy-filled contemporary fantasy.
“Enchanting stories that will lead you away to a misty land far away. I loved the lyrical language and the interesting words that root these stories to their native Scotland. I can’t wait to read more from this author!”
“I really enjoyed this. Growing up in Scotland I recognised the myths that inspired the stories and appreciated how well the author made them feel like they could still be playing alongside our lives today. I really loved the use of Scots. My favourite story was seal baby, I found myself thinking about the characters backstory outside of the book!”
Books inspired by fairies and scottish folklore
My fiction is deeply influenced by the Gaelic landscape and fairy lore of my native Scotland.
From misty islands with more deer than people to the rain-soaked spires of Edinburgh or even the hills on my doorstep, I don’t have to venture far to find a wealth of witchcraft, folk rituals and ghosts hiding in plain sight.
Oddly, for a land-locked lass, it’s selkies that have held me spellbound since I was five years old! There are a couple of stories about them in Fireside Fairy Tales if, like me, you’re enchanted by these mystical, somewhat tragic shapeshifters.
I often write about the places that inspire me. My last adventure before Covid restrictions involved the magic of reindeer and an escape to a romantic old hunting lodge in the depths of Abernethy Forest. You can read it here.
enchantment in the everyday
Like most dreamers, I can find meaning in the dregs of a teacup!
In Scotland, the land seems to shapeshift each season, revealing hidden magic or cloaking itself in more mystery. I find it hard to pick a favourite season, because each has its own enchantment, but the magic of midwinter never fails to spark my creative fire.
As a bookworm, I also believe the most powerful spell is a great story, found within the humble pages of a book.
I keep a massive list of my favourites here - Folklore and Fairy Tale Book Recommendations - and am always open to new books!
Free short story
The Duke With Opals For Eyes is a FREE fantasy short story set in the magical Fireside Fairy Tales world ✨
When winter's moon is bright and trout sleep under ice,
when you can speak to crows and befriend the monsters in Granny's tales,
do you fear the wood, or yourself?
Mary’s ‘feyness’ makes her an outcast within her superstitious, nomadic family. She seeks solace in Granny’s outlandish tales and in the Hollowman’s beguiling but sinister company.
One night, Granny tells Mary a peculiar story about a Duke with opals for eyes. The tale causes Mary to question her friendship with the Hollowman. She needs to stop visiting him...but will he let her go?
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You’ll also get monthly writing updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses into my creative process.
Of course, there’s no pressure to stick around if all you want is a story!
the novel magic kit
I developed The Novel Magic Kit after wrestling with my first novel for years!
This editing toolkit takes aspiring authors from rough first draft to a plot-hole free manuscript.
With two very simple techniques, you’ll quickly identify what’s wrong with your story and more importantly how to fix it.
If you’ve read Fireside Fairy Tales or excerpts of my writing on Instagram, you might have spotted some Gaelic words. And lots of Scots.