The
Stronghold The Book is based on the author’s imagination of how these strange stone towers were conceived and built
2000 years ago in Scotland and the Orkney
Islands.
Slave ships from Rome have brought the Coastal Boar Tribe of the Orkney Islands almost to their knees. The other inland tribes have escaped unscathed and even now begin plotting against the weakened Boar tribe. Unless something can be done to protect his people Nectan the chieftain’s days may be numbered. Tensions are raised as relations with the druids and the other tribes worsen and an ambitious outsider arrives vying for power over the tribe. Only Nectans Foster son Coll can save them now. His secret plan, his impregnable defence, his
stronghold.
Thus begins his plans, not only to save his people but also to earn respect enough to be able to ask for the chieftain’s daughters hand in marriage. For he is crippled from Roman raiding party that killed his parents when he was young and has a bad leg and therefore is considered unworthy. At first the people are dismissive of his ideas to defend the islands. But as the situations becomes more desperate he slowly gains the support he needs. However it is not an easy task. He needs the approval of the Druids as well as the help of nearly the whole tribe just to build the stronghold.
After the intrigue and the plots within plots too bring Nectan down by the druids and the other tribes Coll finally manages to build a Broch, or stronghold and none the less too soon as the spring arrives and the roman warships are sighted on the horizon. Fleeing to the stronghold Coll and his followers make a defiant stand against the Roman horde and for the first time fight them back winning much glory and respect in the tribe and allowing him the right to ask for his loves hand in marriage.