Castle Dreams In Scotland Bedtime Story To Fall Asleep

Visit the West Highlands during fall to explore a trail. A rarely seen Pine Marten leads you to a fairy bridge. At sunset, you arrive at the Black Castle, that overlooks rolling hills, a glassy loch, and the mountains of Glencoe. You enjoy tea by the fire and explore a secret passageway that leads to your sleep. Cast in the warm glow of firelight, you fall asleep in a centuries-old four-poster bed. It's time to dream away.

Transcript

Fall into a deep sleep fast with this autumn sleep story for grown-ups.

You are listening to Castle Dreams in Scotland,

A majestic bedtime story set in a 17th century castle surrounded by peak fall foliage.

In gilded light,

You walk through the mystical woodlands of the West Highlands and come upon a waterfall in the fairy bridge of Glencrein.

Come nightfall you return to the Black Castle to enjoy tea by the fire.

You discover a mysterious secret passageway that leads to your luxurious suite,

Where you fall into a deep,

Healing sleep.

To find a place to snuggle and get cozy for the night,

It's time to dream away.

I would like to welcome you to Michelle's Sanctuary.

I am Michelle and as you listen,

Think of my voice as that of your dear friend and trusted guide.

Let my words cloak you in a soothing wave of comfort and peace.

This sacred time to relax is your gift for making it through another day.

Protect your bedtime hours by letting go of any thoughts or feelings that do not serve your intention for respite and relaxation.

Your imagination is the key to unlocking magical worlds before you drift across the bridge to your dreaming and sleeping life.

Customize this experience however you see fit,

Letting go of my voice before the story ends if you wish to fall asleep.

You are free of judgment and all the noise of the outside world in the sanctuary of your mind and of your room.

Nestle into your bed and feel your body become heavy and relaxed.

Open your mouth and yawn and then sigh.

You can fake a yawn until it becomes real.

It is an easy way to self-soothe as your brain waves slow down.

Inhale through your nose when you are ready.

Sip in the air slowly and imagine it smells of moss and conifers found in the Scottish Highlands.

You may even pretend the air is damp with tiny,

Misty droplets that cool your nostrils.

Open your mouth and yawn and then sigh.

Feel your chest sink down in the relief that you are letting go.

Enjoy one more round of this conscious breathing pattern as you inhale each oxygen molecule travels to every cell in your body with a message that it is time to enjoy a holiday.

As you yawn your muscles,

Joints and bones,

Recognize it is time to go deeper into a state of ease.

As you sigh you come to the most comfortable state of being you have enjoyed all day.

It's time for the story to begin.

Have you ever seen a place so beautiful and enchanting that you longed to reach your arms around it in a grateful hug?

In this moment your heart swells and you wonder how you could repay the landscape for the wonder and joy it imparts.

In the West Scottish Highlands the desire comes to you again and again.

Mist hovers over the rolling hills and moss covered paths where slender gray roads slither around centuries old cottages.

Locks considered to be arms of the sea create inlets that amplify the beauty of the Highlands and their glassy reflective surfaces.

A steam train speeds across the Glenfinnan Aqueduct on a bridge that rises high above rolling meadows.

The whistle of the train travels for miles and reverberates through the Highlands on days like this.

The hills are dressed for autumn and resemble a patchwork quilt of rich oranges,

Mustard yellow and rusty brown hues.

This mystical setting inspired the world of Harry Potter and the Hogwarts Express.

You find yourself on the other side of Loch Linnie on a perfect October day for exploring.

Far off the beaten path,

Your feet land on the Pine Martin Trail with careful precision,

Sometimes muddy,

But more often covered in moss and grass,

In more shades of green than you've ever seen before.

The path is named after an indigenous weasel rarely seen by human eyes.

One might be more apt to encounter a fairy than the velvety brown face of the adorable cat-sized creature as you inhale the aroma of rich earth and evergreens.

A silvery mist lands on your skin,

And you feel as if you have entered a different realm.

The woodlands are quiet,

But for the distant trickle of a brook.

Nostrils cloaks fallen trees and stones weathered by time in a lush green blanket that engulfs everything on the trail.

Emerald green ferns susurrate in the cool breeze.

The wind carries a brisk hint of winter that the warm sun softens.

You inhale deeply and see your breath condense in a smoky white cloud as you exhale.

You are dressed comfortably in a cable knit sweater and scarf purchased from a local shop in golden and jewel tones that celebrate the season and a pair of well-worn jeans.

White birch trees dabble the forest of old trees that rise out of the damp earth with their bases covered in fuzzy yellow moss.

Along the trail,

You arrive at a clearing that reveals rocky cliffs and a palette of autumn leaves in hues of yellow topaz,

Lime green,

Orange marmalade,

Copper,

And plum.

The woods arouse a sense of antiquity,

A sacred place where secrets are kept in tree hollows and treasure chests are buried beneath the gnarly branches and knotted roots.

You are careful with each step on this unpredictable terrain,

Where roots rise above the earth like the fingers of an ancient hand grasping a crystal ball.

The late afternoon light filters through the canopy of trees,

Basking you in warmth and gold sparkles.

You balance on a moss-covered fallen tree that forms a natural bridge over a babbling brook.

Your intuition guides you to follow the crystal water that flows over metallic-hued rocks that glimmer in the sun.

The sound of rushing water becomes louder as the stream leads to a waterfall.

You pause and close your eyes as the gurgling melody soothes your spirit.

You inhale the fresh Scottish air.

You take in every sensation at this moment.

The warmth of your sweater and scarf.

The cool mist on your face and hands.

The rich intoxicating smells of the forest that provide a healing tonic with each breath.

The pure fragrant air makes you long to breathe in deeper and more often you feel the damp mud and limestone rocks beneath your comfortable hiking sneakers as they connect to the earth in this moment of splendor.

Birds sing out and you hear the rustle of fir leaves.

You would have missed the sound had you not paused to take in this moment.

You open your eyes and stay very still.

And suddenly a small furry creature appears.

A pine marten stands on its hind legs to peer over the feathery green leaves.

Its beady black eyes and a camel-hued patch of fur on its neck and belly stand out in the verdant landscape.

The rarely seen animal assesses that it can trust you and curiously takes you in.

Its sweet face reminds you of a ferret or field mouse and its bushy brown tail is fox-like.

The pine marten continues past the waterfall and stands near its peak,

Looking back at you until you begin to follow along.

You walk carefully,

Focusing on the bushy tail that guides you towards a clearing.

Within moments,

To your surprise,

The pine marten leads you to the fairy bridge.

A thin veil of mist wafts above the clear water and surrounds the stone arch.

The pine marten looks to you and then to the bridge and dashes off into the woods as if it has completed its mission.

Lacy white ripples form in the current and slip over lichen-covered stones beneath the footbridge.

The underbelly of the bridge curves like a royal ring made of ancient stones,

Now covered in chartreuse-hued moss.

Along the railing of the bridge,

Vertical rock shards reach towards the canopy of trees and grey skies like spires.

Many have crossed the ethereal bridge and claimed to feel like a different person having crossed it.

The babbling burn sounds different.

The gurgling water here has a higher pitch and a mellifluous sound that echoes beneath the bridge.

It sounds like a song of fairies.

You ascend a small knoll and approach the bridge.

Something in the air feels different in this woodland oasis.

The whispering winds carry the hopes of fairies as if to say,

Enjoy this moment.

The rustling ferns and trees carry the same message.

Please enjoy.

You take in a deep breath as you come to the bridge and smell the faint briny aroma on the sea.

The contentment you feel confirms that life is full of hidden gems.

Perhaps off the beaten path.

They require effort and time,

But are beyond worth the work they entail.

The calming energy and the storybook setting will return to you time and again.

Fantastical like a dream that your memory recall cannot guarantee happened or was just a vision from sleep.

Of course it does not matter,

Because the hope and inspiration will feel real regardless.

You make your way across the small bridge one step at a time.

You stand in the center and look down at the tiny white bubbles that form in the moving water.

A small frog hops across a series of stones half emerging from the water and lands on the stream bank.

You are inspired in this magical setting to make a wish for yourself.

Places like this make the impossible seem within reach,

And so you dig through your deepest wishes.

The ones so grand you may even hide them from yourself.

You look out at the waterfall and mystical forest and make this wish.

Like the dreamers and visionaries that have come before you,

Brave enough to dream.

You smile softly and your heart becomes warm as you welcome the promise of this wish coming true.

Dreaming is often a form of planning,

So why not plan for the best?

The sun lowers directly between the trees to create a golden spotlight on the stone path of the bridge.

It emerges from grey clouds that have appeared throughout the afternoon.

You step to the other side and whether imagined or real,

You feel transformed.

There is a lightness in your chest and the muscles of your face relax.

The moment reminds you of how transformative it can feel to be immersed in nature and in a new place.

Your mind is in tune with a splendorous now,

Uncovering new paths and beguiling views you have never seen before this moment.

It returns to the path,

Finding your way back to your vehicle quicker than you expected.

Now familiar,

You easily come to the back of a secluded lot.

Despite the chill of fall,

You long to feel fresh air on your face and keep the top down of the convertible you rented.

The car is a classic and your favorite color.

Driving it makes you feel like the star in an old film.

And the winding roads of Scotland in autumn offer mesmerizing beauty around each bend.

Elephant grey clouds cover the sun.

The bleak palette of the sky contrasts the vibrant golds,

Reds,

And oranges of the landscape,

Enhancing their vivacity.

You drive past centuries old stone cottages and grazing sheep,

Not witnessing another soul on your journey to the black castle.

The wind is brisk on this leisurely drive and causes your nose and ears to tingle with a feeling of aliveness.

You inhale the cool air as notes of the sea become more pronounced and marry the flinty perfume of wet stones.

The road winds to the west and as you ascend a hill,

The vista opens to reveal rolling fields,

Carpeted and lush green grass.

The batting of a sheep carries over the sound of the tires driving over gravel as you slow down to take in the scenery.

The metals roll into a stony shore that lines the loch.

Rusty red clusters of changing leaves border the perimeter of the meadows.

Across the loch you see the charcoal silhouette of the mountain peaks of Glencoe.

A thick fog rolls in as the sun sets and you turn onto a narrow road.

The winding lane cuts through thick woods and eventually leads to the castle gate.

Erected in the 1600s,

The castle overlooks the reflective water of Lac-Crainard.

From the highest tower,

The reflection of the highlands and autumn colors on the water resembles an oil painting capturing October's beauty.

There was once a railway station in Barcalden,

But now the only way is by vehicle.

The Black Castle is one of the only nearby castles to welcome guests as a bed and breakfast.

You park as the sun cuts through the clouds with honey light.

Its beams grasping at the landscape to leave one final mark before disappearing for the day.

Conical towers and turrets of the Black Castle jut against the sky.

The bone white and gray stones are cast in shimmering light.

The gilded light saturates the vibrant autumnal hues and Lac-Crainard resembles a molten mirror.

You walk up the gravel path to the front of the castle and open the door into the foyer.

Mahogany wood panels cover the lower half of the walls while the top halves are painted ivory.

Cedar-hued tufted leather armchairs and a sofa are arranged around a roaring fire that warms the air with amber light.

A rustic metal chandelier hangs from the wood paneled ceiling and illuminates the room in incandescent light.

Oil paintings capture bucolic scenes of the highlands in rich hues.

You are the only guest,

Free to roam the castle as darkness sets in.

A ceramic pot of hot tea rests on a silver tray on a wood table by the fire.

You settle into an armchair and enjoy a flaky scone with a cup of tea.

The fragrant silky drink warms you from the inside out as it flows down your throat.

You had not realized how chilly you were until being confronted by the warmth of this tonic and the dancing flames in the stone fireplace.

Black soot creates a pattern of points inside the stone fireplace that resembles the silhouette of mountain peaks across the loch.

So much of the imagery in the highlands appear again and again in different forms.

The rug beneath your feet reminds you of the ubiquitous moss that blankets the woodlands.

The stone walls of the castle remind you of the jagged cliffs and fairy bridge.

You settle into the chair,

Lost in what feels like a reverie,

As your eyes focus on the translucent flames that consume the logs.

You inhale deeply,

Smelling the botanical notes of the tea and the sweet charred wood of the fire.

You wish to explore before sleep takes over.

As if night makes the castle more mysterious and alluring,

The innkeeper mentioned a secret passageway that runs from the main room to your suite.

And you take this time to investigate.

You stand and examine the four walls of the room and notice a thin outline of light next to a bookshelf that overflows with dusty old books.

You press your hands against the wall to reveal a door that opens into a narrow,

Dark corridor.

Glass and bronze sconces contain electric candles that illuminate the dim passageway.

You enter it and run your hands across the stone walls that feel grainy and cool.

The passageway leads to a secret spiral staircase that winds its way through three floors.

You follow the stairs,

Carefully taking one step at a time.

You come to a small octagon window before reaching the top floor.

You are surprised to discover the magical view of a clear starry sky reflecting on the lock.

A nearly full moon is surrounded by an opal halo that reflects on the still water.

You recall the curious eyes of the pine marten and imagine the sweet animal tucked in a tree hollow,

Resting for the night.

The window is so small it's barely noticeable on the outside walls of the castle.

You feel like a detective,

Unseen from the outside,

Yet granted an expansive view from the secret stairwell.

You inhale deeply and expect the landscape of the West Highlands beneath a starry sky will color your dreams to come.

This thought brings awareness to the tiredness you feel in your muscles and bones.

You've walked many steps during this day of adventures.

You yearn to take the last set of stairs to the comforts of your suite.

You ascend to the third floor and open the door into a hallway that leads to your room.

You open the heavy wooden door into the suite.

Air burns in the fireplace on the opposite wall.

The air is dry and warm,

A noted change from the shadowy staircase.

Ornately carved ivory crown molding divides the ceiling from scarlet walls.

The dark oak floors creak beneath your feet as embers crackle and pop in the fireplace.

A mahogany four-poster king-sized bed is in the center of the room.

The bed was commissioned in the 19th century and hand-carved scrolls decorate the posts.

You continue to walk towards the regal bathroom that has marble floors and a clawfoot tub.

You turn on the antique faucets in the tub to start a shower as the water takes time to warm.

You light two candles on the sink.

The candlelight flickers and steam fills the room.

You take a shower and wash away the day with sea kelp soap made in Scotland.

The aroma of the lather fills the steamy air with a clean fragrance that conjures images of sailing across a lock on a picturesque day.

You inhale deeply as warm water cascades over your skin and soothes your muscles.

You feel so relaxed you could melt like candle wax.

A cloud-white towel that smells of Scottish heather welcomes you with downy warmth as you exit the tub.

You bury your nose into the cotton and inhale deeply as you dry your face.

You remove flannel pajamas from a satin hanger that dangles from an antique door hook and change into them.

You return to the bedroom and pull back a heavy comforter as the flames continue to dance against the stone walls of the fireplace.

Everything about this moment feels luxurious,

Timeless,

Comforting,

And warm.

You imagine the many souls who returned from the cold dampness of the highlands to revel in the warm walls and firelight.

The room is silent but for the fire and the castle walls mute the noise of the outside world.

You walk to the window to take in the view one last time.

You draw the heavy jacquard drapes and then climb into bed,

Comfortable beneath the comforter and crisp sheets.

Your head sinks into a sea of plush pillows that contour around your neck and head.

Your mind drifts through the magical in-between of your waking life and sleeping life.

Visions of the day appear like the trailer for an early Technicolor film.

You see the fairy bridge and surrounding woodlands.

The crystal water cascading over shimmering stones.

And the rolling meadows surrounded by rustic gates overlooking the water as horses and sheep graze.

Fire crackles and pops as flames become silvery magenta embers.

Calm,

Safe and relaxed,

This is one of the most comforting places you have ever fallen asleep.

Come morning you will awaken to the white gold light of sunrise pouring over the rock and coppery leaves of autumn.

But now you drift across the bridge to sleep.

And like the fairy bridge,

Crossing this passage will heal you and you will awaken changed,

Refreshed and restored.

Your head sinks deeper into the pillow and you bring the comforter and sheets to just above your chin.

You sigh one last time before being completely immersed in the land of sleep.

Going down,

Down,

Down.

Finding peace.

Finding respite.

Finding sleep.

It's time to dream away.

Good night.

Reviews

Oh the excitement, when I suddenly “fall” upon one of your stories that I had never listened to before. Pressed the play button several times throughout the night, then finally heard the full (almost!) story around 6 am - so grateful I have the luxury to do that.
I have traveled with you all over the earth, Michelle. So enchanting and inspiring. Thank you for that.
And what’s with fairies lately: they seem to be mentioned to me almost every day?!…🙏🏻🌟✨🌟💫🌟🙏🏻

This was the 15th Michelle's Sanctuary Bedtime Story I've experienced over a 3 yr period.
Collectively, they are a cornucopia of superb keys, awakening my imagination but at the same time, relaxing & guiding me easily into sleep! Every time I fall asleep waaaay before the end. To write this, I had to forward the cursor on this one! 😊 (I listened to it a few times before).
Michelle's highly creative sleep adventures are supported by her dulcet toned, expressive voice & beautiful sound effects/music that engenders feelings of safety & comfort, no matter what hoopla is happening in my life. I highly recommend these stories & hope you find yr favourite ones like I have. Deep gratitude Michelle❣️

Perfect to fall asleep to