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--> "She had the kind of hair that stayed coiled smooth and neat even when the wind gusted."
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--> "Mum said the ribbon hadn't been invented yet that could bind Martha's thick hair."

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--> "Mum Mum said the ribbon hadn't been invented yet that could bind Martha's thick hair."
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--> Martha wished, as she had wished a thousand times in her life, that she could always live outside.
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* FatalFlaw: Thoughtlessness, as she admits herself. Her mother tells that if only she considered before acting she'd get into much less trouble.
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* DudeMagnet: Men are described as flocking around her "like moths to a flame."

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* DudeMagnet: Men are described as flocking flock around her "like moths to a flame."



* SlidingScaleOfBeauty: World Class Beauty - she's considered the most beautiful woman in the district and is noticeably more attractive than her cousins.

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* SlidingScaleOfBeauty: World Class Beauty - she's considered the most beautiful woman in the district and is noticeably more attractive than her cousins.



* BookWorm: Her belongings consist almost entirely of books.

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* BookWorm: {{Bookworm}}: Her belongings consist almost entirely of books.
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* CoolOldLady: Has a snarky sense of humour, is happy to help anyone in need, and fascinates children with her mysterious hut and stories.

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* CoolOldLady: Has a snarky mischievous sense of humour, is happy to help anyone in need, humour and fascinates children with her mysterious hut and stories.



* [[{{ICantBelieveAGuyLikeYouWouldNoticeMe}} I Can't Believe A Girl Like You Would Notice Me]]: In the sequel series he admitted he felt like this regarding Martha, as he developed feelings early on but never considered courting her due to their difference in station.

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* [[{{ICantBelieveAGuyLikeYouWouldNoticeMe}} I Can't Believe A Girl Like You Would Notice Me]]: In the sequel series he admitted he felt like this regarding Martha, as he developed feelings early on but never considered courting her due to their difference in station.

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* HealingHerbs: Has a herb for every occasion.
* MentorArchetype: SPasses

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* HealingHerbs: Has MentorArchetype: To Martha from the third book. Despite a herb for every occasion.laird's daughter not being an obvious choice in successor, Auld Mary recognises her as a kindred spirit and takes her on as an informal student.
* MentorArchetype: SPasses --> Martha: ''"Will you teach me everything you ken? I want to ken everything about - everything! Herbs and dyes and cats and birthin' bairns and all the important things in the world."''
--> Auld Mary: ''[Laughing] "All the important things, eh? Ye and me, Mouse, we're cut from the same cloth."''

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!!Auld Mary
A local wisewoman/healer who lives out on the moors.

* CoolOldLady: Has a snarky sense of humour, is happy to help anyone in need, and fascinates children with her mysterious hut and stories.
* HealingHerbs: Has a herb for every occasion.
* MentorArchetype: SPasses
*TaughtByExperience: Never had a day of formal education but is the go-to person in the valley for medicine, wool dyeing and more. When Martha asks how she learned it all, she says she's made so many mistakes she eventually ran out of new ones to make.
* TheStoryteller: Known as the best storyteller in the county.

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* BrutalHonesty: Brusque with everyone, from the kitchen maids to Allan Morse.



* OldMaid: At over 30 she'd be considered this, although the other characters don't mention it.



* AmazonChaser: It's hinted that his feelings for Martha were developing along these lines. In the third book Martha challenges him to a footrace - he's widely known for being the fastest runner in the valley - and Lew is impressed and complimentary when she almost beats him. In the sequel series, he's fond of how feisty and opinionated she is.

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* AmazonChaser: It's hinted Hinted that his feelings for Martha were developing along these lines. In the third book Martha challenges him to a footrace - he's widely known for being the fastest runner in the valley - and Lew is impressed and complimentary when she almost beats him. In the sequel series, he's fond of how feisty and opinionated she is.



* DeadpanSnarker: Has a dry sense of humour and teases Martha on several occasions.
* {{Determinator}}: Enough to match Martha seemingly. Between this series and the next he dared to marry the laird's daughter, make the dangerous journey to America and set up a new life and business in Boston.

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* DeadpanSnarker: Has a dry sense of humour and teases Martha on several occasions.
enjoys teasing Martha.
* {{Determinator}}: Enough to match Martha seemingly. Between this series and the next next, he dared to marry the laird's daughter, make the dangerous journey to America and set up a new life and business in Boston.



* NiceGuy: Martha thinks highly of him throughout the series and is proved right with him helping bring over a pet hedgehog, teasing her about her marriage plans and helping her when she's trapped in bed.

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* NiceGuy: Takes care of little Hedgie, smuggles over craft supplies, and even gives Martha thinks highly of him throughout his own pocket knife to keep (despite being much poorer than the series and is proved right with him helping bring over a pet hedgehog, teasing her about her marriage plans and helping her when she's trapped in bed.Morses).
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* ConstantlyCurious: Inquisitive about everything from wool dyeing to America. A large reason Martha disliked Miss Norrie was because she disapproved of Martha's curiosity and told her to stay quiet, while Miss Crow happily provided explanations and stories.

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* ConstantlyCurious: Inquisitive about everything from wool dyeing to America. A large reason Martha disliked Miss Norrie was because she disapproved of Martha's curiosity and told her to stay quiet, while Miss Crow happily provided provides explanations and stories.



* SpoiledSweet: Down-to-earth and friendly despite her status, and loves helping the tenant farmers and household servants. When she first leaves Glencaraid she realizes she's not ''the'' lairds daughter but ''a'' laird's daughter - and immediately berates herself for thinking too highly of herself.

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* SpoiledSweet: Down-to-earth and friendly despite her status, and loves helping the tenant farmers and household servants. When she first leaves Glencaraid she realizes she's not ''the'' lairds daughter but ''a'' laird's daughter - and immediately berates herself for thinking too highly of herself.putting on airs.



* DudeMagnet: Men are described as flocking around her "like moths to a flame" and she's noticeably popular than her cousins.

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* DudeMagnet: Men are described as flocking around her "like moths to a flame" and she's noticeably popular than her cousins. flame."




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* SlidingScaleOfBeauty: World Class Beauty - she's considered the most beautiful woman in the district and is noticeably more attractive than her cousins.
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* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: To Grisie at least, though her brothers find her fun.

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* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: To Grisie at least, though least. Averted with her brothers find her fun. brothers.



* HatesBeingAlone: Happy in anyone's company, whether it's her family, the servants, or local tenants. In the fourth book, she's deeply unhappy being left alone in Grisie's house and spends days searching for someone to talk to.

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* HatesBeingAlone: Happy in anyone's company, whether it's her family, the servants, or local tenants. In the fourth book, she's deeply unhappy miserable being left alone in Grisie's house and spends days searching for someone to talk to.



* OutdoorsyGal: Increasingly frustrated that she's forced to stay inside instead of being out in the Scottish highlands.

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* OutdoorsyGal: Increasingly frustrated that she's forced to stay inside instead of being out in the Scottish highlands.highlands.



* QuirkyCurls: Has wild curly hair that's hard to brush and a fiery personality.

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* QuirkyCurls: Has wild curly hair that's hard to brush and a fiery strong personality.



* SpoiledSweet: Down-to-earth and friendly despite her status, and loves helping the tenant farmers and household servants. When she first leaves Glencaraid she's realizes she's not ''the'' lairds daughter but ''a'' laird's daughter - and immediately berates herself for thinking too highly of herself.

to:

* SpoiledSweet: Down-to-earth and friendly despite her status, and loves helping the tenant farmers and household servants. When she first leaves Glencaraid she's she realizes she's not ''the'' lairds daughter but ''a'' laird's daughter - and immediately berates herself for thinking too highly of herself.



Martha's parents.

* BenevolentBoss: Allan is the laird of Glencaraid and treats his tenants well, to the point of walking out on some important guests without hesitation when one of the farmer's wives is ill. Margaret is a kind and friendly mistress concerning all the servants.
* GoodParents: They're understanding and fair with Martha, especially considering the time period.
* HappilyMarried: They're both unhappy when the other goes away in the second book.
* NiceToTheWaiter: Notably kind and familiar with their servants - something Martha discovers is not the norm.
* NonIdleRich: Allan is involved in the day to day affairs of Glencaraid and helping the tenants, while Margaret is active running the household.
* ThePatriarch: Allan of the Morse household and of the whole of valley as the laird.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Allan takes his responsibilities as laird very seriously and is popular among the villagers and farmers.

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Martha's parents.parents, the laird of Glencaraid and his wife.

* BenevolentBoss: Allan is the laird of Glencaraid and treats his tenants well, to people well (to the point of walking out on some important guests without hesitation when one of the farmer's wives is ill. to help a sick tenant), and Margaret is known as a kind and friendly mistress concerning all the servants.
* GoodParents: They're understanding and fair with Martha, especially considering the time period.
* HappilyMarried: They're both unhappy when the other goes away in the second book.
mistress.
* NiceToTheWaiter: Notably kind GoodParents: Understanding and familiar fair with their servants - something Martha discovers is not Martha, especially considering the norm.time period.
* HappilyMarried: They're both miserable when the other goes away in the second book.

* NonIdleRich: Allan NiceToTheWaiter: Notably familiar with their servants - something Martha discovers is involved in not the day to day affairs of Glencaraid and helping the tenants, while Margaret is active running the household.norm.
* NonIdleRich: Margaret manages the household, while Allan runs Glencaraid's affairs and is recognised for pioneering new farming techniques.
* ThePatriarch: Allan of the Morse household family, and of the whole of valley as the laird.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Allan takes his responsibilities as laird very seriously seriously, and is popular among the villagers and farmers.



* DudeMagnet: Men are described as flocking around her "like moths to a flame" and she's noticeably more popular than her female cousins of the same age.

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* DudeMagnet: Men are described as flocking around her "like moths to a flame" and she's noticeably more popular than her female cousins of the same age.cousins.



* BookWorm: Alisdair, who is always off reading and later decides he wants to be a lawyer.

to:

* BookWorm: {{Bookworm}}: Alisdair, who is always off reading and later decides he wants to be a lawyer.



* EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep: Martha is amazed to discover Cook's real name is actually "Margery Ann" as no one but Auld Mary refers to her as anything but Cook.
* GenreSavvy: She notes Martha and Grisie are similar in both wanting to be somewhere else, (Martha to be out with the farmers, Grisie to go away to boarding school) even if the nature of their wishes are different. She's also the only one to pick up on Martha and Lew's friendship and comments how much Lew would do for Martha.
* IWasQuiteTheLooker: "Margery Ann" apparently had a lot of suitors back in the day much to Martha's amusement.

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* EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep: Martha is amazed to discover Cook's real name is actually "Margery Ann" as no one but Auld Mary refers to her as anything but Cook.
* GenreSavvy: She notes Observes Martha and Grisie are more similar in both wanting than they like to be somewhere else, (Martha to be out with the farmers, Grisie to go away to boarding school) even if the nature of their wishes are different. She's also admit, and is the only one to pick up on notice Martha and Lew's friendship and comments how much Lew would do for Martha.blossoming friendship.
* IWasQuiteTheLooker: "Margery Ann" apparently had a lot of suitors back in the day day, much to Martha's amusement.



* MamaBear: Rather protective of Martha, including disliking how Miss Norrie her first governess treated her and getting emotional when Martha pretends to die while acting out Romeo and Juliet.
* OldMaid: By choice she'll have you know!
* OldRetainer: She's been in the household since before the Morse children were born and Martha in particular is very close to her.

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* MamaBear: Rather protective Protective of Martha, including disliking how Miss Norrie her first governess treated her and getting emotional when Martha pretends to die while acting out Romeo and Juliet.
* OldMaid: By choice choice, she'll have you know!
* OldRetainer: She's been in the household since before the Morse children were born and is close to Martha in particular is very close to her.particular.



* BookWorm: Her belongings on arrival consist almost entirely of books.

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* BookWorm: Her belongings on arrival consist almost entirely of books.



* OutdoorsyGal: In a more adult, lady-like way than Martha. Her first comment is that the views from the Stone House alone are almost enough to live on and she incorporates walking and exercise into her teaching.


to:

* OutdoorsyGal: In a more adult, lady-like way than Martha. Her first comment is that She's introduced praising the views from the Stone House alone are almost enough to live on and she incorporates walking and exercise into her teaching.




* AmazonChaser: It's hinted that his feelings for Martha were developing along these lines. In the third book Martha challenges him to a footrace - he's widely known for being the fastest runner in the valley - and Lew is impressed and complimentary when she almost beats him. In the sequel series, he's fond of how feisty and opinionated she can be.

to:

* AmazonChaser: It's hinted that his feelings for Martha were developing along these lines. In the third book Martha challenges him to a footrace - he's widely known for being the fastest runner in the valley - and Lew is impressed and complimentary when she almost beats him. In the sequel series, he's fond of how feisty and opinionated she can be.is.



* DeadpanSnarker: Has a dry sense of humour and happily teases Martha on several occasions.
* {{Determinator}}: Enough to match Martha seemingly. Between this series and the next he dared to fall in love with - and ''marry'' - the laird's daughter, make the dangerous journey to America and set up a new life and business in Boston.

to:

* DeadpanSnarker: Has a dry sense of humour and happily teases Martha on several occasions.
* {{Determinator}}: Enough to match Martha seemingly. Between this series and the next he dared to fall in love with - and ''marry'' - marry the laird's daughter, make the dangerous journey to America and set up a new life and business in Boston.



* InterClassRomance: With Martha between the two series. Although he's a skilled blacksmith, Martha is the daughter of a laird and far wealthier and better educated than him. The books make it clear she's expected to marry another member of the elite, land-owning class like her father and Grisie's husband. The difficulties in courting her are foreshadowed as early as the second book in Auld Mary's tale about the Laird's Lass who refused to marry an Earl and went for a blacksmith instead.

to:

* InterClassRomance: With Martha between the two series. Although he's a skilled blacksmith, Martha is the daughter of a laird laird, and far wealthier and better educated than him. The books make it clear she's expected to marry another member of the elite, land-owning class like her father and Grisie's husband. The difficulties in courting her are foreshadowed as early as the second book in Auld Mary's tale about the Laird's Lass who refused to marry an Earl and went for a blacksmith instead.

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* LonelyRichKid: Hits this in the fourth book. She still has adults around her, but Grisie has married, her brothers are away at school and the other children in the valley have started working to support their families.

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* HatesBeingAlone: Happy in anyone's company, whether it's her family, the servants, or local tenants. In the fourth book, she's deeply unhappy being left alone in Grisie's house and spends days searching for someone to talk to.
* LonelyRichKid: Hits this in at the fourth book. She still has adults around her, but end of the series. Grisie has married, her brothers are away at school and the other children in the valley have started working to support their families. families.
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* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: In Grisie's eyes at least, though her brothers find her more fun.
* BookWorm: Thanks to Miss Crow's influence.
* ConstantlyCurious: About everything from wool dyeing to America. A large reason Martha disliked Miss Norrie was because she disapproved of Martha's curiosity and told her to stay quiet, while Miss Crow happily provided explanations and stories.
* CountryMouse: When visiting Perth, inverted when Rachel and Mary move to Glen Caraid and can't keep up with her energetic lifestyle.

to:

* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: In Grisie's eyes To Grisie at least, though her brothers find her more fun.
* BookWorm: Thanks {{Bookworm}}: From the third book onwards, thanks to Miss Crow's influence.
* ConstantlyCurious: About Inquisitive about everything from wool dyeing to America. A large reason Martha disliked Miss Norrie was because she disapproved of Martha's curiosity and told her to stay quiet, while Miss Crow happily provided explanations and stories.
* CountryMouse: When visiting Perth, inverted Perth in ''Beyond the Heather Hills''. Inverted when Rachel and Mary her city cousins move to Glen Caraid and can't keep up with her Martha's energetic lifestyle.



* FieryRedHead: In spades, despite trying to tame her temper.
* LonelyRichKid: Hits this at the end of the series. Her parents, Cook and Miss Crow are very loving but Grisie has married, her brothers are away at school and all of the tenant and village children she's friends with have started working to support their families leaving her alone.
* TheKlutz: Much to her chagrin.

to:

* FieryRedHead: In spades, despite trying to tame Controlling her temper.
temper is an ongoing theme in the series.
* LonelyRichKid: Hits this at in the end of the series. Her parents, Cook and Miss Crow are very loving fourth book. She still has adults around her, but Grisie has married, her brothers are away at school and all of the tenant and village other children she's friends with in the valley have started working to support their families leaving her alone.families.
* TheKlutz: Much to her chagrin.Rather clumsy, especially in formal settings.



* OutdoorsyGal: Is increasingly frustrated that she's forced to stay inside instead of being out exploring the Scottish highlands.

to:

* OutdoorsyGal: Is increasingly Increasingly frustrated that she's forced to stay inside instead of being out exploring in the Scottish highlands.



* RebelliousSpirit: Martha does ''not'' appreciate being told what to do.
* SpoiledSweet: She's extremely down to earth and friendly considering her status, and loves spending time helping out and working with the tenant farmers despite disapproval. When she first leaves Glencaraid she's realizes she's not ''the'' lairds daughter but ''a'' laird's daughter - and immediately berates herself for thinking too highly of herself.
* {{Tomboy}}: Loves playing with the boys and is utterly uninterested in keeping her clothes clean or hair tidy. This carries into the next series when she tells Lew buying a fine dress would be wasted on her "common chicken feathers".
* UptownGirl: For Lew, as Martha is the daughter of a landowner and he's working class. Although their romance happens off-page between the two series the obstacles to them marrying are hinted at throughout the series.

to:

* RebelliousSpirit: Martha does ''not'' appreciate Struggles with being told what a ProperLady which explains why she emigrated to do.America in the sequel series.
* SpoiledSweet: She's extremely down to earth Down-to-earth and friendly considering despite her status, and loves spending time helping out and working with the tenant farmers despite disapproval.and household servants. When she first leaves Glencaraid she's realizes she's not ''the'' lairds daughter but ''a'' laird's daughter - and immediately berates herself for thinking too highly of herself.
* {{Tomboy}}: Loves playing with the boys and is utterly uninterested disinterested in keeping her clothes clean or hair tidy.and hairstyles. This carries into the next series when she tells Lew buying a fine dress would be wasted on her "common chicken feathers".
* UptownGirl: For To Lew, as Martha is the daughter of a landowner and he's working class. a craftsman. Although their romance happens off-page between the two series series, the obstacles to them marrying are hinted at throughout the series.

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* SpiritedYoungLady: Hey, it runs in the family. Also contrasts with Grisie's ProperLady status.



* ProperLady: In contrast to Martha's SpiritedYoungLady.

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* TheBlacksmith: In training at least.

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* TheBlacksmith: In training at least.training.



* {{Determinator}}: Enough to match Martha seemingly. There's also the fact that between this series and the next he dared to fall in love with - and ''marry'' - the laird's daughter, make the dangerous journey to America and set up a new life and business in Boston.

to:

* {{Determinator}}: Enough to match Martha seemingly. There's also the fact that between Between this series and the next he dared to fall in love with - and ''marry'' - the laird's daughter, make the dangerous journey to America and set up a new life and business in Boston. Boston.
* [[{{ICantBelieveAGuyLikeYouWouldNoticeMe}} I Can't Believe A Girl Like You Would Notice Me]]: In the sequel series he admitted he felt like this regarding Martha, as he developed feelings early on but never considered courting her due to their difference in station.
--> Lew: "Us lads in the village used to jump at any chance to run errands for our fathers on her side o' the loch. Not a one of us ivver dreamt o' marryin' her though."
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The son of the local blacksmith and a friend of Martha and Duncan.

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The son of the local blacksmith and a friend of Martha and Duncan.
Martha's future husband.

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