Cottage In The Glen, An excerpt from my book

[Elspeth]

I posted this over in featured artists section, but I'll include the intro here as well.... The excerpt, a diary entry written by Brian's wife, Elspeth, is linked below. Yep, that's where I got my name.

Since Sgt. Mackenzie and Clann an Drumma is such a favorite here at CR I thought I'd share my story of the song.

A couple of years ago I was in the midst of writing my novel Cottage in the Glen In it is a wonderful, charming Scottish lad (I just LOVE that character) who goes off to fight in WWI as a memeber of the Seaforth Highlanders.

This was researched and written long before I ever heard of Clann an Drumma.

Well, I was at the place where this character was to die from the after effect of wounds inflicted during the war. But, I just couldn't bring myself to kill off my favorite character. I just really, really love this guy.

Right at that time, I went to the Laurel Highland Games at Ligoneer, in PA and who was playing there but Clann an Drumma.

There I sat caught up in the music when they left their drums, came forward on the stage, joined hands and Joe sang Sgt. Makenzie.

My jaw dropped a hundred feet. It was everything I had written about.

Afterwards I talked to Joe and he told me how he wrote the song after his wife died. He still got choked talking about it.

So, after I got home, I put on the cd I just bought and replayed Sgt. Makenzie over and over and over again until I had written out my beloved Brian's death. Crying all the while. There I was sobbing at my computer as I killed off my most beloved of characters. My husband came down took one look at me and wanted to know what had happened. Thought I was a bit touched when I choked out.... I had to kill off Brian....

So, this is a very long testimonial of how the song Sgt. Makenzie affected me.

	Saturday_June_21__1919.doc
	Size: 38K
	Number of downloads: 115 Times(s)
	Last accessed: 15-Apr-2024, 11:45 PM
	Last Updated: 09-Aug-2006, 06:06 PM

[jedibowers]

Looking forward to having time to read this excerpt. Did you publish this book? Are we able to buy it?

Thanks,
Greg

[Elspeth]

Not published yet, alas....

But I keep trickling out queries.... If I can ever perfect the sucker.

Maybe someday.

If we all cross our fingers and click our heels three times....

[crazykiltedcelt]

Elspeth just read this it Sounds great I'd lov e to read more and get the book when published. this song toughtes my every time I hear it , I come to the edge of tears having served twenty years in the U.S.Air Force . Keep up the good job and best of luck publishing it.

[Elspeth]

I'm holding you to that.

[crazykiltedcelt]

that you can my Lady

[rhatcher1313]

Elspeth, Can't believe I've been here this long & just have read this. This will be an excellent book. Please let us know when it's published, put me down for a copy !

[TandVh]

Achh Lassie- ye ben holdn' oot on us know! Jst' a wee bit moor please!

I haven't been on the forums for very long, and have been trying to catch up with the posts to current, but have yet to make it to the artist's section.

Thank you - Tapadh leibh- I am looking forward to the whole tale when available.