15 Highlander Romance Novels Starring Red-Hot Scots

The third book in the McKennas series by Adrienne Basso, The Bride Chooses a Highlander follows the independent Lady Katherine. Due to a promise her father made to her mother, Katherine has been granted the unconventional right to choose her own husband. But at 22, she still hasn’t found a man to capture her heart. 

Then Lachlan MacTavish, a laird from an enemy clan, unexpectedly comes to Katherine's rescue after a betrothal-gone-wrong leaves her stranded in the wilderness. Touched by the laird's surprising gentleness, Katherine proposes, and Lachlan, intrigued by her confidence, agrees. But rising political and inter-clan tension threatens the union between the laird and the lady who wouldn’t be denied.

Mistaken identity fuels this medieval tale of passion and power. After seven excruciating years imprisoned in the Tower of London, Highland Chieftain Drummond Macqueen returns to Scotland to settle a score with the wife he believes double-crossed him. But the woman who greets him on his return couldn’t be more different in temperament to the one he left behind. When old passions awaken anew, it possible for Drummond to forgive her epic betrayal? 

But Drummond's 'wife' is hiding an unthinkable secret—she is not his wife at all, but his sister-in-law. Long ago, Johanna assumed the identity of her dying sister in order to raise Drummond’s son. Now, the man Johanna mistakenly believed was executed long ago is back.... And Johanna's well-intentioned deceit leads to dangerous passion. 

Scotland, 19th century. After Flora McCrieff turned down a duke's proposal, her pool of suitable suitors has dwindled down to Lachlan McNeill, who lacks noble birth but makes up for it with his fortune.

Lachlan is attractive, but Flora can hardly get him to speak! Still, she feels something building between them—can she crack his rough exterior to find her true love?

17th century Scotland comes vividly to life in all its brutality and beauty in this tale of lovers from warring families. Catriona Campbell and Alasdair Og MacDonald's clans have been feuding with each other for centuries. But generations of bad blood don’t change the feelings the two young people instantly have for each other. 

Catriona and Alasdair believe their love is fate—but the bloody intentions of King William III, and the winds of rebellion, put their unlikely union in mortal peril. 

What would a list of highlander romances be without the bestselling phenomenon by Diana Gabaldon? If you're unfamiliar with the Outlander series, it offers everything you could want from a highlander story: Gallant men of action, sweeping romance, and breathtaking desire. 

When former combat nurse Claire Randall is transported backward in time, from the year 1945 all the way to 1743, she unwittingly finds herself caught up in the conflict dominating Scotland. Suspected as a spy by both the British military and Scots warriors, Claire's only true ally is James Fraser, who shows her the sort of love only seen in fairy tales.

The only problem? Claire is already married in a future she may never see again.

When Gordon Dwyre, Laird Barras, sees Englishwoman Jemma Ramsden riding in the countryside, he's struck by her beauty, her nobility—and the likelihood that she'd never consider wedding a wild Scot like him. After a twist of fate puts Jemma at the mercy of English attackers, Barras rescues her—only to imprison her in Scotland. 

Jemma is a miserable captive in an unfamiliar land, far away from her own people. But even as she despises Barras, she's drawn to the tantalizing world of pleasure he introduces her to. 

After letting herself be tempted, Frances Goodson has no choice but to leave society and live on her own. To support herself, she takes a governess position in Scotland, but it shocked upon arriving to find her tutee isn't a child—he's a handsome laird who must learn English etiquette in order to woo his potential bride, bringing a much-needed fortune to his people.

However, though Lachlan knows he must marry for duty, he can't help but fall for his sweet, penniless governess. Is there a way for their love to win?

A sweeping historical saga from Evely Anthony’s MacDonald romance series, Clanadara follows the epic romance between Katharine Fraser and James Macdonald of Dundrenan. The star-crossed Scots come from warring factions, yet put their family differences aside in favor of their love. But when the two unite on their wedding day, the celebrations end in slaughter. 

Separated by both personal tragedy and the invading British army, Katherine and James drift apart. Despite the divide of distance and war, the two continue to believe in their love, even as they fight for the independence of their homeland. 

Captain Lucas John-Ives was noble-born, but after fighting in the same battle that killed his brother, he has no interest in his life of leisure, or much else. However, he is saved by the beautiful Mairi Wallace. He becomes her servant in order to repay his debt to her—and the more time they spend together, the more Lucas falls for her.

However, in order to be a suitable husband for Mairi, Lucas must reclaim his birthright. Will he do what it takes to win his highland bride?

When the king decrees that French maiden Danielle d’Aville must marry the young Scottish knight who violently conquered her village, she’s devastated. Danielle resolves to use this miserable union to her advantage, and get what revenge she can on her sworn enemy. 

But against all her better judgement and convictions, Danielle is pulled towards the knight's strength and surprising kindness. Will Danielle forsake her loyalty to her people, in favor of the unaccountable passion she feels for the man who devastated her home? 

Marguerite Vallon is determined to escape her arranged marriage, even if it means hiding in the first cart she sees. This rash decision puts her in the company of Ewan Lochmore, the new Earl of Glenarris, as he heads deep into the Highlands.

Ewan promises to protect Marguerite. But perhaps what she needs from him will turn out to be much more fun to provide.

Beyond the Highland Mist is the first book in Karen Marie Moning’s red-hot paranormal Highlander series. Hawk is a fierce, sexually ferocious laird who's equally at home in a bloody skirmish as he is a woman's bed. Though his prowess as a lover is legendary, Hawk has never loved any of his many conquests. 

When a faerie transports Adrienne de Simone from present-day Seattle to 16th century Scotland, and fate brings her across Hawk’s path, she immediately recognizes his sensual potential...and resolves to avoid falling for his tricks. But you know what they say about the best laird plans going awry. 

When the king dictates that Scottish laird Alec Kincaid must marry an Englishwoman, Alec has little doubt about which woman he wishes to choose. Jamie is the youngest daughter of Baron Jamison and is as feisty as she is beautiful. She has vowed never to surrender to a highland barbarian, but she can't deny that his presence might bring savage pleasure. 

The Bride by Julie Garwood details the unlikely pair's battle of wills…and the far more dangerous conflict that comes after.

In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks has all of the tropes you could ever want in a highlander romance novel. Mairin is the illegitimate daughter of the king, forced to marry Ewan McCabe. The highlander warrior thought he wanted nothing more than vengeance until he met Mairin. 

Now, as war draws ever nearer, Ewan must decide whether the passionate love he has found means more than either revenge or land.

Karen Ranney's A Borrowed Scot combines historical fiction, romance, and fantasy. The plot follows Veronica MacLeod, a woman with psychic gifts, and Lord Montgomery Fairfax of Doncaster Hall. Though they are strangers, Montgomery saves Veronica from scandal and even asks her to be his bride.

It soon becomes clear to Veronica that Montgomery is everything she ever wanted in a husband. But as they return to his estate in the Highlands, will the secrets of his past prove their undoing?