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"From the first page’s turn, it is abundantly clear that
My Heart’s in the Lowlands is a unique invitation into a beautiful and timeless world. An armchair travel guide, Higgs’ latest work coaxes the reader the join her on a much-beloved route which she unfolds with warmth and enthusiasm. Woven through the loom of the award-winning novelist’s storytelling skills,
My Heart’s in the Lowlands details a ten-day journey through 'bonny' southwestern Scotland. As you accompany her through ancient churches, enchanting castles, and warm, bustling inns of this lovely corner of the U.K., Higgs paints in vivid detail the sights, smells, sounds, and tastes of her heart’s homeland. Sprinkled with illustrations, historic gems, quotes from Scotland’s famous poet Robert Burns, and other lively characters both real and imagined,
My Heart’s in the Lowlands is an all-encompassing text. Whether actively planning a trip or simply wishing you could, this book will leave you as enchanted with that ancient realm of the world as though you had traveled there yourself."
"Whose Celtic heart doesn’t thrill at the very thought of the mystical, misty highlands of Scotland? I know mine does. But when Liz Curtis Higgs, the premiere author of Scottish historical novels, published a non-fiction book called
My Heart’s In The Lowlands, I had to know more. This book is an armchair travel guide, but after reading it, I’m taking it one step further. I’m calling it A Travelogue With A Passenger’s Side. Liz designed the book with you in mind, and I do mean YOU. The two of you, sitting side-by-side, in a tiny hired (rental) car, galavanting in the most fantastic country on the planet.
Lowlands reads like a ten-day-long road trip in which you’re soaking up atmosphere with the friendliest author ever. She’s chatting you up, pointing out the landmarks she’s seen before, and exclaiming over new ones. You’re begging for a wee little bathroom break, and she’s saying, “Can you wait, dearie, till I check out the
six-hundred-year-ol
"Reading My Heart's in the Lowlands by Liz Curtis Higgs is like taking a trip with a friend. Liz literally acts as our escort as we discover areas of Scotland that are not quite as well-traveled as the Scottish Highlands. This book is a tribute of love from Liz Curtis Higgs to Scotland, the place that inspired her series of novels set in Galloway, which includes Thorn in My Heart. If you've read and enjoyed any of these books, she identifies towns and scenery with a few selected descriptive quotes from the novels. If, like me, you haven't read the novels, the quotes do not seem obtrusive at all. Don't let the familiar chatty tone of the book annoy you. Enjoy it. Allow yourself to experience the fun of a girls' getaway, including visits to graveyards, churches, castles, and lots of pots of tea. In fact, I often had to brew myself a strong cup while reading along, because she made it sound so looovely. This armchair travel book would be a wonderful read for
anyone who has been to Scotland or who hopes to visit one day or who enjoys Scottish history or culture."
"For those of us who’d love to spend ten days touring the Scottish countryside, Liz Curtis Higgs’ offer is irresistible: 'Let’s go, shall we? Just the two of us,' she invites. The bestselling novelist who confesses to owning over 800 books on Scotland shows readers why her heart’s in the hills and glens of the Scottish Lowlands. I couldn’t read a sentence of this book without smiling and wiping away a tear or two – it was pure joy to read from page one. The detailed map in the beginning of the book allows readers to follow along while Higgs narrates our tour, complete with stops at her favorite pubs and tearooms. The text is embellished with gorgeous pen and ink sketches that showcase the beauty of Scotland, and each chapter begins with a carefully chosen quote from Robert Burns. I could hear the bagpipes as I turned the pages, taste the fresh scones and clotted cream, and smell the wildflowers."
"Well, if Liz had to write something to appease her non-fiction readers, I can't imagine anything better than this. It's the cheapest overseas vacation you'll ever take, because it is written as if you were right alongside the author as she shows you ten days' worth of Scotland. The enthusiasm is contagious and the descriptions leave you longing for tea and scones and a misty afternoon."
"Until Liz starts giving personally
guided tours of Scotland’s Lowlands, this book is a wonderful
substitute. Beginning at the airport in Glasgow, you’ll travel with
Liz through her beloved Galloway, sharing her favorite spots—kirks
and castles, bookshops and tearooms, winding roads and verdant
hills—and meeting some special friends. Quotes from Scotland’s
favorite poet, Robert Burns, begin each chapter, perfectly setting the
stage. I enjoyed the snippets from Liz’s Scottish fiction shared
throughout which helped me see how, as a writer, her research was
woven into her stories. Beautiful sketches by talented artist, Simon
Dawdry, are the icing on the cake—bringing
the hills, castles, and
villages of Scotland to brilliant life. If you are a lover of all
things Scottish, or just a lover of all things Liz, pick up a copy of My
Heart’s in the Lowlands today. You’ll enjoy the
journey."
"A few pages in and anyone can see that Scotland has become more than a setting for [Liz's] novels; it has become a home. Essentially a travelogue told with intricate detail, casual yet sharp wit and the kind of
joviality that makes you wish she could be your constant travel
companion,
My Heart's in the Lowlands does what no travel guide could ever
accomplish—it paints Scotland into the spiritual wonderland that God intended. Join Liz for a "full Scottish breakfast" or for worship at a church service in a drafty, old stone parish or walk with her through crumbling castles and ancient cemeteries. With class and subtlety, her journey through the Lowlands is indeed a spiritual walk through nature, history and an enchanting culture that is meant to be disclosed to the whole world."
"There’s no better way to visit Scotland
than My Heart’s in the Lowlands
by Liz Curtis Higgs. This armchair travel guide is written more like a
novel than the non-fiction reference book one would expect. Higgs
makes you feel that you’re part of the story, part of the events
happening all around you. She doesn’t miss a detail—from
her description of a Scottish church service to enjoying second
breakfast. You’ll feel like you’re right there with her." "After finishing the book, the images and impressions remain, hovering over me like a gentle Scottish mist. One of the dreams of my life is to see Scotland in person, but surely this book is the next best thing. One of the things I love about Liz's fiction books is her beautifully evocative descriptive ability, and she puts that gift to good use as our tour guide through the Scottish Lowlands. Not only in her lyrical descriptions of gorgeous landscapes and scenery, or ancient
abbeys and castles, but we can practically taste the food. Liz writes this book as if you, the reader, were accompanying her on the journey...I felt as if passages
were directed right at me! Such is the magic of this book. If you've always longed to visit Scotland, or even if you're just an avid Higgs reader like me, you'll love
My Heart's in the Lowlands." "During the past decade, Higgs fell in love with Scotland while researching her historical novels. She confesses that she formerly traveled to Scotland strictly on business; now it's another matter entirely. "My
Heart’s in the Lowlands is written in such a way that you feel like
you are on the journey with Ms. Higgs. How is that so? Ms. Higgs writes
the book as a dialogue in which you are the person to whom she is
speaking. It’s as if you are traveling around Scotland with her as your
travel guide. Many people have a fascination with the Scottish Highlands,
but for Liz Curtis Higgs it’s the Lowlands that have captured her heart.
Her love for the Lowlands is evident in every page, in every account of
everything she takes her imaginary traveling companion to see. I would
recommend My Heart’s in the Lowlands for not just those who
already love Scotland, but for anyone who dreams of trips abroad and of
experiencing new things." "After all the novels Liz set in Scotland, with this book she takes us on a tour of her favorite haunts. We explore ancient castles, climb mountains, brave roads scarcely wide enough for walking two abreast much less drive a car. We feel the mist and wind and sun on heather covered mountains. And view with awe, spectacular lakes and rivers that run through this land that time has almost forgotten. For those unable to visit, this is a very credible substitute that leaves one feeling they’ve come to know the people, places and land. For those who would like to visit, this just may give them the nudge they need to actually make that journey." "In
My Heart's in the Lowlands, Liz takes us on a ten day tour of her favorite places in the Lowlands of Scotland. She's our travel
guide—from preparing for the trip and the plane ride to an incredible tour of the land. The book is written so that the reader feels a part of every conversation, every meal, and every sight. The things that endear Scotland to the author are lovingly portrayed, so that it almost feels as if the reader is traveling with her. It's engrossing, and will be even more so if you have actually visited Scotland or are planning a trip there.
My Heart's in the Lowlands is a fun travelogue that places the reader in the center of the action throughout."
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d headstones in this cemetery over here?” You agree to hold on, and are richly rewarded with scones and tea at the next stop. By the
end of your bookish travels, you realize what wonderful meandering chums you and
Liz make. If you can’t hop on a real plane bound for Scotland (which I highly recommend), you can always turn back to Page One and imagine your sublime journey with Liz all over again."