The Hunky Highlander

Three Decades of Red Hot Scottish Romance

Highland romance holds a special place in my heart because the first romance novel I ever read was a historical set in 13th-century Scotland. The story followed a weary veteran who had an especially rough time during the war—not because of his battle skills, he was exceptionally talented, but rather because he was considered too handsome to be a soldier. He was an incredibly complicated man. Unbeknownst to me, I had accidentally picked up book eight in a series, which made for a confusing introduction to the genre... anyways.

Highlanders came on the romance market in the late '80s and early '90s, with big names like The Secret by Julie Garwood and Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. The Scots enjoyed a solid reign well into the early aughts (yes I am proud of myself). However, in recent years, new Highlander releases have slowed to a wee trickle. While the romantic allure of the Scottish Highlands hasn’t faded—those misty moors and craggy castles still have their charm—authors have largely shifted their focus to the more commercially successful world of contemporary romance.

This newsletter is here to remind you why Highland romance deserves a comeback. If you’re a reader, it’s time to dust off those kilted covers and revisit the bonnie tales of yore. And if you’re a writer, perhaps it’s time to set your creative vision on the Highlands once more. Because really, who doesn’t love a brooding warrior with an accent thick enough to cut with a claymore?

Tumultuous Times

Historical Highland romances offer a sweeping timeline, typically ranging from the 12th century all the way to the 18th century, with the curtain falling after the Jacobite uprising when Scotland's independence was firmly suppressed under the Union Jack. At their core, Highland romances celebrate warrior culture and as such take place during times of conflict—because really, what’s the point of a brawny hero if he doesn’t have someone to flex his manly prowess against? Naturally, the most common villain is the dastardly English oppressor (apologies to my English readers—just getting into character).

Historically accurate depiction of an 18th century Highland warrior

A much better depiction of an 18th century Highland warrior

One of the most popular historical backdrops for these stories is the First Scottish War of Independence, fought from 1296 to 1328. This era introduced us to Robert the Bruce, who leveraged guerrilla campaigns that heavily utilized Highland warfare tactics. With the odds stacked against his smaller forces, he avoided open combat with the larger, better-equipped English army. Instead, his troops mastered ambushes, burned supply lines, dismantled castles, and weaponized the rugged Highland terrain. Every skirmish became a high-stakes chess game where Scottish special forces collided with the supposedly superior English Knights, isn’t that just romance-novel gold?

Robert the Bruce

Robert the Bruce Colorized a.k.a. Outlaw King

But the English are not the only villains of the story. Highland romances often dive into the equally dramatic world of inter-clan warfare. Few things spice up a plot like a multi-generational blood feud. Forbidden love between warring clans? These tales of star-crossed lovers practically write themselves. (Okay, not really—but they do inspire some epic drama.) These stories are also rooted in very real clan conflicts, some lasting well over three centuries. Though it is somewhat difficult to keep them straight … MacLeans vs. MacPhees, MacLeods vs. MacDonalds, Macdonald (of Sleat) vs. Mackenzie, Mackenzies vs. Munros - all real clan wars that explain why an author would just make the English the baddies.

Tempting Timelines

Another popular feature in Highland romance isn’t a setting in the traditional sense but a narrative device: time travel. The most iconic example, of course, comes from Outlander, when Claire touches a standing stone and is unceremoniously hurled from 1945 back to 1743. This is also a key motif in Karen Marie Moning’s Highlander series (along with some vengeful fairies).

Scottish Standing Stone

Interestingly, there isn’t any specific Scottish or Celtic lore that directly serves as the foundation for these time-slip stories. Because the Celts were an oral culture, there is very little surviving information on the motivation behind the standing stones beyond some correlation with the solar calendar. But what the Highlands do have is a sense of mystique, an almost otherworldly quality that makes it easy to imagine the fabric of time growing thin in its remote, untamed landscapes. The swirling mists, the enigmatic stone circles, the haunting echoes of bagpipes—these elements practically beg for a bit of magic.

Tropes in Tartan

So let’s take what we learned and put it into context…

Enemies to Lovers

So, you kidnapped an English noblewoman who also happens to be considered the most beautiful woman in England… we’ve all been there. But there’s no chance that you, the most feared warrior of the Highlands, known for your brutality, could fall victim to the fair English rose. Your hands have only ever dealt pain—how could they ever give her pleasure?

Star Crossed Lovers

You were never meant to meet, but one summer day, while both still children, you stumbled across each other. You played together in secret throughout the years, never knowing that you were destined to be sworn enemies. Now, she is to marry the heir of a rival clan to cement an alliance against your own. Is now your chance to take everything you have ever wanted?

Mistaken Identity

Your mission was to escort an old priest to the rebel stronghold up north, but along the way, you feel a surprising attraction. Unbeknownst to you, the "priest" is actually your liege's beautiful daughter in disguise! Can you keep your unexpected desire in check, or will you risk it all for ecclesiastical ecstasy?

Assigned Reading

The Secret

Judith Hampton, proud and loyal, travels from England to the Scottish Highlands to honor a promise to her childhood friend and secretly meet the father she’s never known. Escorted by Iain Maitland, a powerful and magnetic Laird, she’s unprepared for the sparks between them. Their clash of wills soon gives way to passion as Judith and Iain grow closer, her fiery spirit capturing his heart. But a devastating secret about her father threatens to upend their love and the fragile trust she’s built with his clan.

Outlander

In 1945, Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is on a second honeymoon with her husband when she accidentally steps through an ancient stone circle. She’s transported to 1743 Scotland, a land rife with war and clan rivalries, where she’s now an outsider—or "Sassenach." Caught in a web of intrigue, Claire meets Jamie Fraser, a gallant Scotsman whose love challenges her loyalty and heart. Torn between two men and two eras, Claire must navigate a dangerous world while grappling with impossible choices.

The Chief

Robert the Bruce assembles a secret Highland Guard of elite warriors to fight for Scotland’s freedom, led by the unmatched warlord Tor MacLeod. Tor, loyal only to his clan, resists joining the cause and has no intention of opening his heart to Christina Fraser, his spirited new bride given to secure his allegiance. Despite his icy demeanor, Christina senses a hidden warmth and fights to win his love, even as their fiery passion flickers in the night. When her bold actions put them in danger on the brink of war, Tor must confront his greatest challenge: protecting his wife and breaking down the walls around his heart.

Beyond the Highland Mist

Hawk, a legendary laird known for conquering both battlefields and hearts, has never been bested—until Adrienne de Simone is thrust from modern-day Seattle into his sixteenth-century world by a vengeful fairy. Bold and defiant, Adrienne is coerced into marriage with Hawk but vows to resist his seductive charm. Hawk, however, is determined to ignite her desire and win her heart, no matter the obstacles of time and her stubborn resolve. As their passions flare, Adrienne must decide whether to trust the rogue who refuses to let her go.

In Bed with a Highlander

Ewan McCabe, a fierce warrior focused on revenge, is thrown off course when Mairin, a raven-haired beauty, enters his life. As the illegitimate daughter of the king, Mairin carries a valuable legacy that makes her both a pawn and a target. Rescued from danger only to be forced into marriage with Ewan, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to her commanding yet unexpectedly tender husband. As their passion grows, Mairin's spirit and love challenge Ewan to abandon his quest for vengeance and fight for something far greater—her heart.