Do you remember your first highlander? How old were you when you succumbed to the lure of the kilt, and were sucked into the world of the irresistible Scot? I was 23 (late bloomer here), and my first highlander was Alec Kincaid from author Julie Garwood’s The Bride. By the time author Jennifer Ashley let the riveting Lord Ian Mackenzie loose on the romance world, it was too late to save me. I was hooked on highlanders.
It’s not just about the kilts, though. That’s a Scottish romance myth. If it were just about the kilts, my husband would be wearing one right now.
Now, I’m not saying kilts aren’t a good look for bare-chested, brawny heroes, but there’s more to the Scottish ethos than taut abs wrapped in tartan. Remote castles on wildly romantic Scottish moors? Fierce, rugged warriors risking everything for land, clan and their lady? Loyalty, lawlessness, and proud Scottish lairds? Kilt-clad men rolling around in the heather?
They do that, y’all. I saw it on Outlander.
Romance readers have a special place in our hearts for all of our captivating clansmen, but there are a few Gaelic heroes who really put the ‘hot’ in ‘Scot.’
I know what you’re thinking. Jamie Fraser, right?
Full Disclosure: I won’t be waxing poetic about Jamie Fraser today.
You might be wondering why I’d dare to leave out the kilted king. Do I question the hotness of the quintessential Scot? Do I have something against ginger heroes? Am I angry because I can’t pronounce Lallybroch?
None of the above.
Jamie’s out because discussions about his place on the Scottish hero hotness scale are like discussions about water being wet, or the sun being hot, or whether or not haggis is best avoided. It’s a done thing. An immutable fact. Asked, and answered. Jamie’s is the kilt most of us want to crawl under. Once that’s out there, there’s nothing more to say.
Now we’ve settled the Jamie question, it’s time to move onto Anna’s Scottish Superlatives. That’s right, superlatives. You know, like in high school, but sexier. There won’t be any “Cutest Smile,” or “Most Likely to Succeed” categories here, but if you want to know which Scottish hero is “Most Likely to Ravish You,” then read on, because this is the list you’ve been waiting for.
Most Beloved Scottish Hero: