Love for the Highlands and horses inspired Nairn polyglot writer
A love of history and horses brought writer Rebecca Loebbert to her new home in Nairn.
Originally from Germany, having spent many summer holidays in and around the town with her family she decided to move to the Highlands for her studies, and never left.
At 24 she has already published several books, and this year is celebrating the launch of two translations in English.
She said: “In my teens I realised how much I loved this place, and decided that I wanted to live here.
“I discovered Scottish history, especially Mary Queen of Scots, who became a favourite topic for me.
“At first I decided to try to move up for a short time, and worked at a donkey sanctuary near Selkirk. It was a fantastic experience so I decided to apply for university here.
“The moment I got the acceptance email from UHI (University of the Highlands and Islands), I was delighted and didn’t even wait for other universities to get back to me, I knew that’s where I wanted to go.
She moved to Inverness to study for a degree in Scottish history and literature, moving to Nairn after her parents committed to buy a house in the town, where they had friends.
Rebecca has since worked at Culloden Battlefield as well as various local horse yards the owner of one of which, Nairnite Marie Cruickshank, became something of an adopted grandmother to her.
“Now doing a masters in fantasy and science fiction literature, the passion for stories has always been with Rebecca.
“When I was very young I used to come up with very long stories I would tell my parents, and I wrote my first short stories when I was six,” she said.
At 16, she wrote her first novel, a time-travel adventure based on Mary Queen of Scots, which was published in German in 2020.
She has gone on to write further historical novels as well as rom-coms, the first published in German by a Swiss company which also offered her a contract for the English translation, which she has done herself with the help of a local translator, Megan Paterson.
Rebecca said: “I prefer translating my own work, I can stick to my story! But then I have Megan who can read and recommend changes if things are better translated in a different way.“
Her book “The Little Highland Horse Yard” and its Christmas sequel are both inspired by her loyal sidekick, the pony Silvano.
“I wanted to write a rom-com about horses, and the place where I live,” she said. “And I decided to have Silvano as the protagonist horse!”
The books are set in Cawdor, Inverness and Nairn alongside other Highland locales.
People in Nairn may have spotted Silvano out and about dressed up as Santa in a bid to provide some festive cheer.
“I really hope that in the future I can become a full-time writer,” Rebecca said. “I love living here, the place and the community…I don’t see myself going anywhere else for a while!”
