History Characters / TheMarthaYears

The son of the local blacksmith and friend of Martha's.

* 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 to provide explanations and stories.

* ConstantlyCurious: About everything from wool dyeing to sheep shearing, and what America is like to Scottish myths. A large reason Martha disliked Miss Norrie was because she disliked Martha's questions and told her to stop poking her nose where it didn't belong, while Miss Crow is very happy to provide answers and stories.

* CountryMouse: When visiting Perth.

* ApronMatron: The kitchen is her domain and she rules proudly.

* RegalRinglets: Described as having perfect spirals compared to Martha's wild curls.

* 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.

* HappilyMarried: They're both very unhappy when the other goes away in the second book.

* SavvyGuyEnergeticGirl: Martha observes that her mother lightens up her more serious father.
* TheStoic: Allan can be rather stern and brooding.

* GirlyGirl: Unlike {{Tomboy}} Martha, Grisie prefers to stay inside doing needlework rather than go out exploring the highlands.

* 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 very 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.

* SupremeChef: Acknowledged as the best cook in all Glencaraid even if she doesn't make the fancy food they serve at Fairlie.

* CoolTeacher: Much to Martha's delight and relief she makes learning interesting, including encouraging her to write her own letters not just copying out words, acting out plays and telling stories about America and history.

* AmazonChaser: 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 clearly impressed and very complimentary when she almost beats him.
* TheBlacksmith: He helps out in his father's forge.

* TheQuietOne: Along with his whole family. A local valley joke is that if two Tucker's speak on the same day the world will come to an end.
* TallDarkAndHandsome: Described as lean and dark-haired.

* MessyHair: Try and she might, Martha's curls will not stay tidy.
--> "Mum said a ribbon

* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: In Grisie's eyes at least.

* [[{{MrImagination}} Miss Imagination]]: Loves making up stories and schemes - even if she gets a bit carried away. (Like persuading her cousins to sneak outside in the dead of night and eat seeds to turn themselves invisible).
* OutdoorsyGal: Is increasingly frustrated that she's forced to stay inside, instead of exploring the Scottish highlands.

* PluckyGirl: Gutsy, outspoken and adventurous - much like a certain great-granddaughter.

* SpoiledSweet: She's very down to earth and kind considering her status. When she first leaves Glencaraid she's realizes she's not ''the'' lairds daughter but ''a'' laird's daughter - and immediately questions if she's been thinking highly of herself.

* BenevolentBoss: Allan is the laird of Glencaraid and treats his tenants kindly, to the point of walking out on some important guests without hesitation to when one of the farmer's wives is ill, while Margaret is a sweet and understanding mistress.
* GoodParents: They're very understanding and fair with Martha, especially considering the time period.

* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Allan as the laird owns the whole valley and takes his responsibilities very seriously and is popular among the villagers and farmers.

* [[{{AloofBigBrother}} Aloof Big Sister]]: Often irritated and impatient with Martha.

* GirlyGirl: Unlike {{Tomboy}} Martha, Grisie would rather stay inside doing needlework than be out exploring the highlands.

* RegalRinglets: Described as having perfect spirals in contrast to Martha's wild curls.

* TheQuietOne: Along with his whole family. A local valley joke is that if two Tucker's speak on the same day the world will come to an end.

* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Comes across as quite terse and gruff, but is a softie underneath it all and adores Martha. She also dotes on "Hedgie", the kitchen hedgehog despite complaining about him constantly.

* [[{{AloofBigBrother}} Aloof Big Sister]]: Often irritated and impatient with Martha who feels rather hurt.

* SpoiledSweet: She's very down to earth and kind considering her status. When she first leaves Glencaraid she's realizes she's not ''the'' lairds daughter but ''a'' laird's daughter - and immediately berates herself for being so high and mighty.

* AloofDarkHairedGirl: Particularly early on - she relaxes after marrying Kenneth.

* GirlyGirl: She'd far rather stay inside doing needlework than be out on the moors.

* CoolTeacher: Much to Martha's delight and relief.

* ResonableAuthorityFigure: Allan as the laird owns the whole valley and takes his responsibilities very seriously and is popular among the villagers and farmers.

* BenevolentBoss: Allan is the laird of Glencaraid and treats everyone in the valley kindly, to the point of walking out on some important guests without hesitation to help one of his ill tenants.

* HappilyMarried: Allan is extremely grumpy when Margaret is away in the second book.

* AloofDarkHairedGirl: Particuarly in the second book - she relaxes later on thanks to Kenneth.
* DudeMagnet: Men are described as flocking around her "like moths to a flame" and she's noticeably more popular than her cousins.

* TextileWorkIsFeminine: The best needleworker in Scotland according to Cook.

* BookWorm: Alisdair. He later decides he wants to be a lawyer.

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

!!Grisie Morse
Martha's beautiful older sister. She starts off as rather distant but grows closer to Martha as the series continues.

* AloofDarkHairedGirl: Particuarly in the second book - she relaxes later on thanks to Kenneth.
* DudeMagnet: Men are described as flocking around her "like moths to a flame" and she's noticeably more popular than her cousins.
* GirlyGirl: She'd far rather stay inside doing needlework than be out on the moors.
* HappilyMarried: To Kenneth by the fourth book.
* ProperLady: In contrast to Martha's SpiritedYoungLady.
* RegalRinglets: Described as having perfect spirals in contrast to Martha's wild curls.
* TextileWorkIsFeminine: The best needleworker in Scotland according to Cook.

* {{Determinator}}: Enough to match Martha on a few occassions. 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.

* TomboyAndGirlyGirl: Girly girl to Martha's tomboy. She'd far rather stay inside doing needlework than be out on the moors.

* 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.

* [[{{MrImagination}} MissImagination]]: Loves making up stories and schemes - even if she gets a bit carried away. (Like persuading her cousins to sneak outside in the dead of night and eat seeds to turn themselves invisible).

* LonelyRichKid: Hits this at the end of the series. Although her parents, Cook and Miss Crow are very loving, 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.

* MissImagination: Loves making up stories and schemes - even if she gets a bit carried away. (Like persuading her cousins to sneak outside in the dead of night to eat seeds to turn themselves invisible).

* SpoiledSweet: She's very down to earth and kind considering her status. At one point she berates herself for
* {{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."

* ApronMatron: The kitchen is undoubtedly her domain.
* 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 very different. She's also picks up on Martha and Lew's friendship and comments how much Lew would do for Martha.

* OldMaid: By choice she'll have you know!

** TheBlacksmith: He helps out in his father's forge.
** ChildhoodFriend: He and Martha are friendly from the first book and grow closer over the series, notably in ''Beyond the Heather Hills''. By the next series they're HappilyMarried.

* CountryMouse: When visiting Perth in the fourth book.
* {{Determinator}}: Big time. At the end of ''Down to the Bonny Glen'' she runs over three miles to get help for a sick tenant and her parents initially can't believe she made it it such quick time.
* FieryRedHead: In spades.
* TheKlutz: Much to her chagrin.
* OutdoorsyGal: Is increasingly frustrated as she is forced to stay inside, instead of exploring the Scottish highlands.
* PintSizedPowerHouse:
* PluckyGirl: Gutsy, outspoken and adventurous.

* RebelliousSpirit: Martha does not appreciate being told what to do.

* SpoiledSweet: She's very down to earth and kind considering her status.
* StarCrossedLovers: With Lew. She's the daughter of a wealthy landowner, he's the local blacksmith. Historically it is established fact her parents disapproved of the match and probably a major reason they emigrated to America to get married.
* TomboyAndGirlyGirl: Tomboy to Grisie's girly girl. Martha likes footracing and playing with the village boys. Grisie prefers to stay inside sewing.
* UptownGirl: For Lew, as Martha is the daughter of a landowner and he's working class.

* TheBlacksmith: He helps out in his father's forge.
* ChildhoodFriend: He and Martha are friendly from the first book and grow closer over the series, notably in ''Beyond the Heather Hills''. By the next series they're HappilyMarried.

* BenevolentBoss: Alln is the laird of Glencaraid and treats everyone in the valley kindly, to the point of walking out on some important guests without hesitation to help one of his ill tenants.

* PluckyGirl: Gutsy, outspoken and

* BookWorm: By the fourth book thanks to Miss Crow's influence.

* GoodParents: Very understanding and fair with Martha, especially considering the time period.

* BookWorm: Alisdair, who wants to be a lawyer by the fourth book.

* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Comes across as quite terse and gruff, but is a softie underneath it all and adores Martha. She also dotes on "Hedgie", the kitchen hedgehog despite complaining about his so much.

* OldMaid: By choice,

!!Lew Tucker

* 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.

*

* BookWorm: Alisdair.

* NiceGuy: Duncan is Martha's favourite brother and the sweetest of the three.

Laura's great grandmother and main character of the series.

!!Margaret Morse "Mum"
Martha's mother.

* HappilyMarried: With Allan.
* NiceGirl:
* NonIdleRich: Very active running the household and helping tenants.

!!Allan Morse
Martha's father and laird of Glencarid.

* BenevolentBoss: Treats all his tenants kindly, to the point of walking out on some important guests without hesitation to help an ill woman.
* ThePatriarch: Of the Morse household and the whole of valley as the laird.
* HappilyMarried: With Margaret, in ''The Far Side of the Loch'' he's extremely grumpy while she's away.