Fàilte Celtic Queens Donna Goode and Lisa Campbell

homecomingscotland2009.com

I follow the Celtic Queens blogsite ... and who better to talk about Scotland than the Celtic Queens?  Please join me in welcoming their Majesties Donna Goode and Lisa Campbell!

Humble Servant Kim:  Your majesties, what attracted you to writing about Celtic romances?

Queen Donna:  One has only to read a story about a strong, handsome kilted Highland chieftain to fall in love with the hero, the culture, and the people of the Highlands.

Queen Lisa: I agree Donna, and would add that there is something enduring, and magical in their history that makes a person want to know more.

Heather fields meet the enchanted forest
Borrowed from Queen Donna

Humble Servant Kim:  Tell us about the Celtic Queens blog site - how did it come about?

Queen Donna:  Don’t laugh. We sat down together and brainstormed the idea one morning—Lisa in S.W. South Dakota and me in N.E. Tennessee. First, we decided what we wanted our site to include, and next we brainstormed catchy names. Celtic Queens was Lisa’s suggestion—she’s brilliant! It has proven to be a wonderful name. Lisa pretty much set up our site, too. I think it looks great!

Queen Lisa: Lisa: *laughs* Donna would have you believe she hasn't had a hand in the look of the blog, the name, or anything at all! The fact of the matter is, we make these decisions together---I just happen to be a bit of a techy and the one who brings our vision to fruition. Donna's greatest gift lies in her story telling ability---she is definitely more of a storyteller in the old way---much more so than I'll ever be (you know it's true).

Mutual admiration society aside, we realized there was a need for an archive (in another arena) that wasn't being filled, despite our efforts to the contrary. Therefore, we decided to quit our collective whining, and got busy putting together what we believe, is a comprehensive research site for us, and others who share our fascination with the Celtic culture. And through this concerted effort, Donna and I discovered we possess a creative synergy that allows us to work very well together…hmm, I gotta chock it up to our training as military wives!

Humble Servant Kim:  3. Where do you find your research material?  

Queen Donna:  Research material comes from all sorts of places. Printed books provide some of my information but I rely on several Internet sites that are academic in nature. Afterward I try to craft what I’ve compiled into story form—since straight history is pretty darned dry. Tales are easy to come up with—there are lots and lots of resources for them including the Internet. I even found a digitalized book of old tales through the Gutenberg Project that I’ve used. The book was written in 1925 and is now out of print and would otherwise have been unavailable to me. I’ve even composed my own tale from two different versions of the same story.

Queen Lisa:  I would agree with Donna, in that a lot of my research comes from dry-as-toast-dirge-like-tomes. Oftentimes it's hard to get through them without falling asleep! *laughs* But, there are hidden gems beneath the flotsam if you look close enough---and we make certain to look closely.

monikie.org.uk

Humble Servant Kim:   What is your favorite Celtic: ...

.... castle?

Queen Donna:  Hm-m…there are so many beautiful castles set in the most incredible locales but my favorite one is MacCrae Castle that appears on our Celtic Queens site. There is something so haunting to me about it and its location. .... clan? Campbell! MacDonald and Farquarson are close second and third choices for me. (Different branches of my family are descended from each of them.)

Queen Lisa:  The hero of my historical romance, Superstitions Desire, is a MacCrae and I love the eerie beauty of the castle too. Yet, I would have to say my favorite castle, without doubt, is Caerphilly Castle in South Wales. It's an absolutely massive structure and one of the best examples of medieval architecture. Simply fabulous!

.... tartan pattern?

Queen Donna:  Uh-h…ditto on all counts!

Queen Lisa:  Since I'm a Campbell, it would be sacrilege if I didn't say my favorite tartan is the subtle greens and blues of the clan's colors. However, it happens to be true. ; )

.... beer or whiskey?

Queen Donna:  I’m not much of a whisky fan (and you really don’t want to know why!) but, if pushed, I’ll commit to an 18 year old Glenlivet. I love good beer and ale, though! Beamish Black on tap is my absolute favorite.

Queen Lisa:   Reserve label, 18 year old single malt Glenfiddich—yummy in my tummy! I do love beer too, and confess to being a huge fan of Guinness!

.... saying?

Queen Donna:  These things I warmly wish for you: Someone to love, some work to do, a bit o’ sun, a bit o’ cheer, And a guardian spirit always near.

Queen Lisa: "May those who love us, love us. And those who hate us, may God turn their hearts. And if he doesn't turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we'll know them by their limping."

Borrowed from their Graces
celticqueens.blogspot.com

Tapadh leat (thank you) your Graces for joining us during St. Andrew's Week! I will give away a Hawaiian trivet each day in the design of a quilt square (as unique as a clan's tartan). Each day will be a different design. To enter the trivet giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about the Celtic Queens, Scottish whiskey, and the Gutenberg Project.

2. Make sure I know how to contact you - send your email to sos.america@yahoo.com.

3. This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents. But if you live in Scotland, I will send you a Hawaiian treat!

Mar sin leat (good bye),

Kim in Hawaii

"It has been a strange life, really, and a very romantic one."

- Victoria Ka'iuani Cleghorn.

Hawaii has its own "Scottish" royalty - Princess Ka'iuani.   Born to Hawaiian Princess Miriam Likelike and Scotsman Archibald Scott Cleghorn, Princess Ka'iulani was the niece and heir of Queen  Lili'uokalani.  

From  The Kaiulani Project,

For the last 100 years, Princess Victoria Ka`iulani Cleghorn may have been known as tragic because she died young, and was never permitted to serve the office for which she was trained, Queen of the Hawaiian Islands. It’s difficult to know why, but for unknown reasons, the story of her heroism has been forgotten. We’ve seen her as a shy, quiet but beautiful little girl who lived a melancholy life. Few people know of Ka`iulani's stand for her people, and fewer still, know that she was a ‘daughter of a double race’, half Hawaiian – half Scottish. 

Ka‘iulani was, in fact, a warrior - she fought for the truth.  

While overcoming many personal tragedies, Ka‘iulani led a life of love and music. She was witty, had a sharp sense of humor, and a great many friends. There is also a possibility that Ka'iulani influenced surfing in the English Channel at Brighton. This is the real Ka'iulani that is much more interesting to remember. 

In 1893, American businessmen lead a revolt to overthrough the Hawaiian monarchy.  Princess Ka'iulani marched on Washington, DC, to protest their actions.  But she died long before her time. 

The movie Princess Ka'iulani - an art house favorite - suggests that she died of a broken heart when an Englishman refused to return to Hawaii with her.

I'olani Palace in Honolulu