《日记留影——我们的苏格兰高地生活》 选自女王在苏格兰的生活日记，此书原本只是在朋友小圈子内交流传阅的，但1858 年正式出版后，立刻引起了社会的广泛关注，仅仅一年就销售了10万册以上，女王因此成为了一名畅销书作者。这些日记记录了第一家庭在苏格兰高地的日常生活，在巴尔莫勒尔城堡渡过的假日，在山间的漫游，在江河里划船，给国民展示了一幅温馨恬静的田园诗般的生活画面，没有宫斗剧的混乱，没有八卦小报的恶浊趣味，让人感到的是女王一家的人性和人情味，在当时收到了良好的社会反响。由于此书的畅销，后来在1884年又出版了续作。考虑到女王在执政的后期，由于丈夫去世而长时间远离公众视线隐居，故出版的她的生活日记，在客观上成为公众与女王进行沟通的另一种重要形式。以下选自《高地生活》，记录了他们在乡间捕鲑鱼的经历。
SALMON LEISTERING.
Septerber 13,1850.
We walked with Charles, the boys, and Vicky to the river side above the bridge, where all our tenants were assembled with poles and spears, or rather “leisters” for catching salmon. They all went into the river, walking up it, and then back again, poking about under all the stones to bring fish up to where the men stood with the net. It had a very pretty effect; about one hundred men wading through the river, some in kilts with poles and spears, all very much excited. Not succeeding the first time, we went higher up, and moved to three or four different places, but did not get any salmon; one or two escaping. Albert stood on a stone, and Colonel Gordon and Lord James Murray waded about the whole time. Duncan, in spite of all his exertions yesterday, and having besides walked to and from the Gathering, was the whole time in the water. Not far from the laundry there was another trial, and here we had a great fright. In one place there was a very deep pool, into which two men very foolishly went, and one could not swim; we suddenly saw them sink, and in one moment they seemed drowning, though surrounded by people. There was a cry for help, and a general rush, including Albert, towards the spot, which frightened me so much, that I grasped Lord Carlisle’s arm in great agony. However, Dr.Robertson swam in and pulled the man out, and all was safely over; but it was a horrid moment.
A salmon was speared here by one of the men; after which we walked to the ford, or quarry, where we were very successful, seven salmon being caught, some in the net, and some speared. Though Albert stood in the water some time he caught nothing: but the scene at this beautiful spot was exciting and picturesque in the extreme. I wished for Landseer’s pencil. The sun was intensely hot. We did not get back till after three o’clock, and then took luncheon. The duchess of Gordon came to see us afterwards; and while she was still with us, Captain Forbes (who had asked permission to do so) marched through the grounds with his men, the pipers going in front. They stopped, and cheered three-times-three, throwing up their bonnets. They then marched off; and we listened with pleasure to the distant shouts and the sound of the pibroch.
We heard afterwards that our men had carried all Captain Forbes’s men on their backs through the river. They saw the fishing going on, and came to the water’s edge on the opposite side; and on being greeted by our people, said they would come over, on which ours went across in one moment and carried them over-Macdonald at their head carrying Captain Forbes on his back. This was very courteous, and worthy of chivalrous times.