Anastasia Abboud
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A LIttle Romance
Et nos cedamus amori. And we, too, shall yield to love. – Virgil

Medieval Monday: Old High St. Stephen's Church, Inverness

1/23/2023

6 Comments

 
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Lachlann walked through the night. Vaguely, in his pain, images flashed before him that he didn’t understand, but he’d ceased being afraid of them. His breath was coming in shallow puffs. His head hurt so much that he couldn’t think clearly. And he was thirsty, so thirsty.

He lost count of how many times he threw up, fainted, slept. But he was in too much pain to be still. He’d either find help or die trying. He didn’t care which.

Stars were just fading as he reached the kirk. It looked different, but it had to be the kirk at St. Michael’s mount in Inbhir Nis. He was going to pass out again. Focusing on the kirk, he dragged himself through the graveyard. He’d never make it to the building. Fighting darkness, he made it to a gravestone before collapsing. At least they wouldn’t have to carry his body far to bury him.

He hadn’t found Rònan to tell him he was alive, to thank him for going after him. He hadn’t been able to save Allasan and their son. He should have been there to help them, at least to be with them when they died.      
​ 
“I’m sorry. . .” he whispered as darkness swallowed him. 

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Happy Medieval Monday! 

You won't find that scene in Tremors Through Time. During editing, I had to make some ruthless decisions -- as writers so often have to do. It was simply taking too long for Lachlann to meet Deidre. But I like the scene, so naturally, I stashed it away for possible future use.

I chose the Old High St. Stephen’s Church of Inverness to be the location of Lachlann’s modern-day collapse because it’s the oldest church in Inverness. It is believed that as early as 565 A.D., St. Columba converted a Pictish king on St. Michael’s mount, where the church now stands. In the centuries that followed, many wooden churches were erected and burned down. Even once a stone structure was in place, some parts eventually fell into ruin. We're talking centuries, after all. The oldest part of the current structure is the tower base, which dates back to the fourteenth century.

The earliest document that mentions the church is a charter granted by William the Lion between 1164 and 1171. 

The Black Friars founded a monastery just north of the church in 1233. It continued until the Reformation (1525-1560), then fell into disuse.

The Church went from ruins to repairs several times throughout the centuries. 

In 1746, after the Battle of Culloden, Jacobite soldiers were executed on the church grounds.

When we were there last fall (2022), of course I had to visit it. I found the site to possess a haunting dignity and the location is stunning -- right on the River Ness. Sadly, while the historic building still stands and visitors are allowed on the grounds, services are no longer held there.

The building is up for sale. 

Up for sale?


For more medieval fun, be sure to visit Lady Mary Morgan. Our other medieval lady, Barbara Bettis, is having a time with her website right now. We hope she'll be back soon!

May your week be a happy one with bright skies and smiles aplenty!
6 Comments
Mary Morgan
1/23/2023 08:49:52

Wow! I so enjoyed this post, "Lady" Anastasia! And thank you for sharing a scene that wasn't included in your story. Another glimpse with Lachlann.

When we were in Inverness, we visited the church and grounds. Did you know that several Urquhart ancestors are buried there? So sad it's up for sale. Hopefully, a historical group will purchase the place.

Happy Medieval Monday!

Reply
Anastasia
1/23/2023 16:44:00

Thank you stopping by, "Lady" Mary! :) I'm glad you liked the post. I'm trying to recall if I saw tombstones for Clan Urquhart. I feel I did, but I saw the name so often and I was thinking of them so muchnduring our trip that I'm not sure I trust my memory! Thank you for sharing this.

I do hope that a historic foundation or group purchases the building. I guess it's a lot to maintain, but I was stunned.

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!

Reply
Cherie Colyer
1/23/2023 15:50:22

It's so hard to cut scenes! Glad I had a chance to read it here.

Reply
Anastasia
1/23/2023 16:45:15

I know you must understand! Thank you so much for stopping by, Cherie and that you liked the scene. Happy Medieval Monday! :)

Reply
Kim Janine Ligon link
1/24/2023 07:29:21

Cutting such a lovely scene must have been hard. I hope some group sees the historical importance of that beautiful building g and preserves it. How wonderful that you got to see it.

Reply
Anastasia
1/30/2023 00:13:08

Thank you, Kim. I hope that some group will preserve it as well. I appreciate your stopping by!

Reply



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  • Home
  • You've Got This, Amy Munro
  • A Little Romance
  • Garden Warrior
  • Grains of Sand
  • My Books
  • Tremors Through Time
  • All Shook Up
  • If Only You Knew
  • About Me