The story of ‘CLAN’ is told through the eyes of David Elliot, who at 57 years of age is alone, frustrated and with three failed marriages behind him. When in 2007 he finds himself out of work he goes to the Borders of Scotland to seek some validation of his life through his bloodline, the notorious “Border Reiver” Elliot Clan.
Accompanied by his daughter, son-in-law and beloved grandson Thomas, far from resolving issues, he finds that he has led his family into terrifying danger as 700 years of Scottish Border history and the myth and reality of “The Bloodiest Valley in Britain” combine to threaten all he holds dear in his life.
The corruption of the rich and powerful meets legend as Good and Evil clash for the ancient throne of Scotland and power in the modern world.
William Wallace (“Braveheart”), Robert the Bruce, Border Reivers, creatures of supernatural horror and past heroes of the Elliot Clan are all involved as the Master of Hermitage Castle, the evil Lord, William de Soulis, actions his plan to assume power over an unsuspecting World.
All that stands against him is an ordinary family fighting desperately to protect a child.
Their only weapon is the love of family... the power of their ‘Clan’.
This story is a must for all Elliots (whichever of the 70 spellings of that name that derive from Scotland you use) but also anyone of border descent or anyone interested in the history and myths of the Scottish Borders.
Excerpt
Author’s Foreword
William de Soulis is not an invention.
No more than William Wallace or Robert the Bruce, legends of Scottish history, are inventions.
Unlike modern leaders, these men faced their enemies personally.
Not for them the luxury of sending young men and women, with incredible weapons of mass destruction, thousands of miles to fight a remote enemy.
These warriors, for warriors they were, stood their ground, fought hand to hand, giving no quarter and asking for none in return.
They risked their own lives, not just the lives of their followers.
Some, like Wallace, had no personal ambition and sought, altruistically, to free his country from the domination of an English king.
The Bruce united a country under powerful leadership, defeating superior odds again and again.
William de Soulis however, fought for himself.
With his unflinching belief in his right to rule, he was prepared to take on anyone in his way, including The Bruce and William Wallace, to take what he believed to be his rightful inheritance – the Scottish Throne.
These men were fearless giants, physically and mentally. Who of our modern leaders would last more than a few seconds against them?
But unlike Wallace and Bruce, William de Soulis also had a reputation for evil – a reputation that will become clear as this tale unfolds.
If you would discover more, go to Hermitage Castle between the towns of Newcastleton and Hawick in the Scottish Borders. It still stands as a monument to dangerous and bloody times.
If you are brave, go at night, but I will not be there.
I believe it is haunted.
If you are an Armstrong, a Scott, a Kerr, a Robson, a Nixon or one of the many other famous Border families, I salute you today as a friend, even if our history, allegiances and blood feuds might suggest otherwise.
If you are an Elliot, I salute you as family.
We live in a time when politicians seek to keep us in fear in an effort to make us docile and controllable. They tell us much about how they will protect us, how they will deliver us from evil, if we are just prepared to put our faith, trust, but mostly our liberty, in their hands.
I have no belief in politicians – perhaps it is Border blood that makes me instinctively distrust those who seek power over others.
I believe in Family and Friends.
Ultimately, I believe in Clan...
Professional Reviews
Review for Capital Scot
Book Title: ‘CLAN’
Reviewer (Author): David P Elliot
Publisher: Moorhen Publishing LLP – Brixham. UK – 2008
ISBN: 9781905 856039
Publisher’s Web Site: www.moorhenpublishing.co.uk
Online Vendor: David P Elliot (Author)
Vendor Link: www.davidpelliot.com
Author Reviewer’s link: www.davidpelliot.com
The fortunate inherit riches, prestige, positive notoriety. Those not so lucky bear legacies filled with poverty, infamy or, worse yet, the unhinged insanity and murderous urges of their ancestors.
The fortunate inherit riches, prestige, positive notoriety. Those not so lucky bear legacies filled with poverty, infamy or, worse yet, the unhinged insanity and murderous urges of their ancestors.
Happy Halloween. A volume of Horrible Haunts & Twisted Tales taken from the horror books La Belle Rouge has written every October for a decade and a half. If you have read her works in the horror genre, you know the invitation is for you to enjoy thr