S is for Suitcase Sisters go to Scotland
Cousins Nora and Allie are sent to Scotland at the insistence of their indomitable Grandmother. Many surprises await them.
H is for Hansome man in a kilt
The cousins settle in a picture-perfect cottage in the village where their Gran grew up and a man in a kilt asks Nora if she has “a touch of cianalas”.
O is for Old secrets waiting to be uncovered
What has their Gran kept hidden from them and why does she want them to bring back an old book from an even older library?
R is for Research for new Spa Products
Allie convinces Nora to become a spa spy with her so they can discover a new product in the Highlands to take back to Arizona before her family business tumbles.
T is for Train ride through the Highlands
As the train journeyed north more pasture lands spread out like thick carpets. Flocks of sheep clustered together as the clouds grew into darker, more menacing threats.
B is for Boat ride on Loch Lomond
The water became a speckled looking glass, reflecting the primrose blue canopy above as well as the rounded green hills on both sides of Loch Lomond. This was a place of dreams.
R is for Rambunctious Scottie dogs
The woman unlatched the gate that surrounded her front garden and emerged with five adorable little Scottie dogs that were ready to romp.
E is for Edinburgh Castle
The cousins approached the fortress with hushed reverence. For over 900 years people had entered these castle grounds for good and harm and the bastion was still standing.
A is for Autumn leaves and lots of tea
Nora’s favorite spot was by the window with a pot of Scottish Breakfast tea, a plate of fresh shortbread and a view of the ancient trees releasing their amber leaves to the brisk wind.
D is for Dreamy moments by the fire
The remains of the day felt rich, sitting together by the fire. Would the future hold more castles, clans and a cozy cottage for Nora?
In the third Suitcase Sisters novel, SHORTBREAD IN THE HIGHLANDS, Cousins Nora and Allie agree to a spontaneous trek to Scotland thinking they were simply going to claim an inheritance for their Grandmother. Their patience is soon stretched thin by delayed flights and canceled reservations.
When they finally settle in a picture-perfect cottage in the village where their Gran grew up, they experience two surprise encounters. First a man in a kilt asks Nora if she has “a touch of cianalas”. Then a nosy neighbor shows up with her five Scottie dogs and expects a cup of tea. The quirky woman knows something. They can tell. But what? What has their Gran kept hidden from them and why?
The Suitcase Sisters are blocked by another delay and decide to make the best of it and explore the beauty of Scotland in autumn. They begin with a leisurely boat ride on Loch Lomond followed by a hike on a Faerie Trail where they are buoyed by laughter, shared childhood memories. Next, they stock up on shortbread from the village bakery and head to the Highlands for a tour of their ancestral castle. A rousing bagpipe chorus connects them to the homeland of their ancestors and a luxurious stay at a resort opens possibilities for both their futures.
An enchanting train ride brings them back to the village, where Gran’s secret is finally revealed. The unexpected discovery leads them to Edinburgh where decisions need to be made. In a quaint bookshop their suspicions are confirmed and Nora and Allie are faced with the truth that their lives will never be the same. The Heavenly Father has been directing their steps.
Their trip holds one more surprise. This one is a secret gift that must be returned to Gran back home in Arizona. A gift they would have missed if they’d never come.
Author Note:
Many of my novels are set in global locations. I’ve traveled to every place I write about. When I visited Scotland I fell in love with Scotland with the homeland of my husband’s clan. This novel is dedicated to the Gunns and carries an extra measure of affection for all our hearty ancestors who loved their lands. If you’ve been to Scotland and heard the bagpipes played on an ancient hill, you’ll agree there is no place on earth like the Highlands and nothing equal to a man in a kilt.
All of the Suitcase Sisters novels are standalone so you can dive into TEA WITH ELEPHANTS or GELATO AT THE VILLA before or after reading SHORTBREAD IN THE HIGHLANDS. For more friendship and travel tales read the eight novels in the Sisterchicks collection as well as CANARY ISLAND SONG and UNDER A MAUI MOON.
Enjoy your armchair travels around the world!
Robin Jones Gunn
SHORTBREAD IN THE HIGHLANDS by Robin Jones Gunn
Contemporary Inspirational Christian Women Fiction of Friendship, Sisterhood, and Travel in the Scottish Highlands
Cousins Nora and Allie are sent to Scotland to claim an inheritance but are hindered by delayed flights and canceled reservations before settling into a picture—perfect cottage. Surprised by an encounter with a man in a kilt and a visit from a nosy neighbor and her five Scottie dogs, the cousins begin to experience life in the village where their grandmother grew up. But a brewing mystery along with more delays make this adventure far different than they expected.
Undaunted, the Suitcase Sisters stock up on shortbread from the village bakery and explore the beauty of Scotland in autumn, beginning with a leisurely boat ride on Loch Lomond. Buoyed by laughter and shared childhood memories, they head to the Highlands for a tour of their ancestral castle and a luxurious stay at a resort.
An enchanting train ride returns them to the village, where a secret their sweet Gran hid from them all these years comes to light, and a final stop in Edinburgh holds more life—changing revelations for them.
On this armchair trek to Scotland, readers will experience a journey of surprises brimming with God’s mysterious ways and the unbreakable bonds of family.
Women’s Fiction Friendship [ Revell, On Sale: June 23, 2026, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800744847 / ]
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About Robin Jones Gunn
ROBIN JONES GUNN is the best-selling author of over 100 books, including the widely popular Christy Miller series and the Suitcase Sisters novels. Three of her Christian fiction books in the Glenbrooke and Sisterchicks series were Christy Award winners. Hallmark created four Christmas movies inspired by her novels. Her non-fiction titles include “Praying for Your Future Husband” co-authored with Tricia Goyer. Sales of her books have tipped over 6.5 million copies sold worldwide. Robin and her husband live in California where the best days are spent at the beach with her grandkids.
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