Why a Booktrail?
Medieval times: After a decade campaigning against the English, Loch Maclean returns to the Isle of Mull
The Lass He Left Behind
What you need to know before your trail
After a decade campaigning against the English, Loch Maclean returns to the Isle of Mull to find his father dead and his lands in disarray. Cattle thieving is rife, and the isle’s clans are at each other’s throats. Loch’s got his work cut out for him—but he’s distracted by a woman from his past.
Mairi Macquarie is even more beguiling than he remembers, only these days she’s no longer innocent and biddable. These days, she’s got no time for him at all. Or so it seems.
Mairi was heartbroken when the laird’s roguish son went off to war and never came home. She got on with her life and tried to forget him. But now he’s back, battle-hardened, and cynical—and even more dangerous than ever.
The attraction between Loch and Mairi burns hotter than a Beltane fire, yet they both are looking for different things. He wants her to warm his bed, but what she wants is love.
And neither is prepared to compromise.
Locations
Reset- Scotland - Inner Hebrides - Isle of Mull
- A: Duart Castle
- B: Craignure village
- C: Dùn da Ghaoithe
- D: Port Donian
Travel Guide
Hebrides – Isle of Mull
THE LASS HE LEFT BEHIND is set on the Isle of Mull, Scotland. I wanted to write a trilogy following the Macleans of Duart. I’d recently finished writing a saga about the Mackays in the Highlands and was looking for an island location for my next series. This series follows three warriors who return to the Isle of Mull from a decade away following Robert the Bruce and fighting the English. The trilogy is about homecoming, new beginnings, and about facing your demons. THE LASS HE LEFT BEHIND follows Loch Maclean the arrogant son of the Maclean clan-chief. Loch wasn’t a real historical figure, although I based his character on Lachlan Maclean, the earliest Maclean clan-chief at Duart Castle. This novel (and the entire trilogy) also explores the historical conflict between the Macleans of Duart and the Mackinnons of Dùn Ara.
Duart Castle is the ‘must see’ location for this novel. Located upon the Isle of Mull is a magnificent fortress that still stands today. Dating back to the 13th century, it’s the seat of clan Maclean. The castle’s position was a strategic one, for it sits upon a high crag at the end of a peninsula jutting into the Sound of Mull, where it guards the channel between Mull and the mainland. The 14th-century keep was built by Chief Lachlan Lubanach Maclean. I was living in New Zealand when I wrote this book, so, unfortunately, I couldn’t visit the Isle of Mull in person. However, I did a lot of research (as always) into the setting I’d chosen for this series. There are many wonderful resources online.
BookTrail Boarding Pass: The Lass He Left Behind
Destination/location: Isle of Mull Author/guide: Jayne Castel Departure Time: Medieval times
Back to ResultsWhere Next?
