Hidden Scottish Romance Gems I’ve Fallen For 💙

Hi pals, it’s Eve here! Grab a cuppa, get cosy, and let’s chat about something I absolutely love, Scottish romance stories.

Now, I might be a wee bit biased, but there’s just something special about love stories set here at home. Maybe it’s the way the landscape feels alive, or how our unpredictable weather has a knack for pushing people together. Maybe it’s the humour, that mix of teasing and tenderness that feels so recognisably Scottish.

I’ve always had a soft spot for romance, but when it’s written by Scottish authors, especially indie or LGBTQ+ voices, it hits differently. These stories don’t just show off the beauty of the country, they capture the real heart of it. The small communities, the big feelings, and the quiet moments that make you believe in love all over again.

So today I’m sharing some of my favourite Scottish romance gems who deserve way more attention. These are the writers who made me laugh, cry, and want to pack a bag for the Highlands. Let’s celebrate them together. 💙

Why Scottish romance just works

Scotland suits romance, plain and simple. The weather helps. Nothing says “forced proximity” like being stuck in a bothy together when the rain’s coming down sideways. The people help too. We’ve got just the right mix of grumpy and charming to make any slow burn believable.

What I really love is how more authors are writing about the real Scotland. Not just the castles and kilts version, but stories about modern love, queer love, small towns, city flats and everything in between. These stories feel honest and funny and often a bit chaotic, which is exactly how life here can be.

My favourite indie and small-press Scottish romance authors

Margaret Amatt – Heartfelt island love stories

Margaret writes the kind of books that make you want to pack a bag and hop on a ferry to Mull. Her Scottish Island Escapes series is full of warmth, community and second chances. She captures the rhythm of island life perfectly, from café chatter to family gossip.

A Winter Haven and A Summer Sanctuary are both lovely. They give you that “coming home” feeling that stays with you.

Why I love her: her writing feels gentle and comforting, like sitting with a cuppa while the rain hits the window.

Elliot Fletcher – steamy love with a Scottish heartbeat

Elliot Fletcher writes the kind of stories that make you grin like an eejit one minute and tear up the next. Her romances are set all over Scotland, from Edinburgh flats to coastal towns where everyone knows everyone else’s business.

She has a real gift for writing love stories that feel both grounded and hopeful. His characters are messy, kind, and completely believable, which makes every connection feel earned. Whisky business and Scotch on the rocks are two of my favourites - both filled with warmth, banter, and that quiet emotional honesty that sneaks up on you.

Elliot doesn’t shy away from real life either. Her stories include themes of identity, belonging, and community, all wrapped up in heartfelt, slow-burn romances that feel true to modern Scotland. You can almost hear the kettle boiling and the rain on the window while you read.

Why I love her: she writes steamy Scottish love stories with heart, humour, and total authenticity. Her books bind together to remind me that romance can be tender, funny, and proudly local all at once.

Kat Paige – Queer love in modern Scotland

Kat Paige’s Love in Edinburgh series is one of my recent favourites. Her stories centre queer characters finding love and friendship in the city. They feel fresh, funny and completely grounded in modern life.

Her first book, Bumps in the Road, follows two women navigating romance and chaos in Edinburgh. It’s heartfelt, hopeful and totally authentic.

Why I love her: she writes Scotland as it is right now, full of creativity, culture and queer joy.

Em Taylor – Historical with a twist

Em Taylor mixes Scottish history with a bit of fun and sometimes a touch of time travel. Her stories have passion, humour and that spark of adventure that keeps you turning the pages.

If you like historical settings with a modern heartbeat, try Highland Games or Wagering on the Duke’s Heart. She’s also written queer stories that blend playfulness with real emotion.

Why I love her: her books remind me that Scottish romance can be hot, hilarious and still full of heart.

Why these authors deserve more attention

These writers capture the best of Scotland. They write about love in all its forms, from the quiet kind that sneaks up on you to the loud, messy kind that changes everything. They celebrate community, belonging and connection, whether that’s on an island, in a city flat or in the middle of nowhere with no phone signal.

They also represent what I love most about indie publishing. It’s personal, creative and brave. You can feel the heart in every story, and that makes the reading experience so special.

Let’s share the love

So there you have it, a handful of brilliant Scottish authors who write love stories with heart, humour and a real sense of home. Whether you’re into island romances, queer love in the city, or a good old historical with a twist, Scotland has something for every kind of romantic.

What I love most about these writers is that they all capture the Scotland I actually know. It’s not just misty glens and castles (though those are nice too). It’s messy, modern, diverse, and full of warmth. It’s people finding love while juggling jobs, family drama, or just trying to survive another wet Tuesday.

If you’ve got a favourite Scottish romance author I’ve missed, tell me in the comments below. I’d love to keep this going as part of a wee Scottish Romance Spotlight series.

Thanks for reading, lovelies. Here’s to the stories that make us smile, to the people who write them, and to this beautiful, chaotic, romantic wee country we call home. 💕

Love, Eve x

My Favourite Reads So Far

📖 A Winter Haven by Margaret Amatt

📖 Tall, Dark and Kilted by Lizzie Lamb

📖 Bumps in the Road by Kat Paige

📖 Highland Games by Em Taylor