It’s quiet here. All I can hear are the melodies of the songbirds and the slightly more discordant squawks of the gulls; the distant sound of traffic (rather like a long exhale) and the cold tap of something, somewhere, in the skeleton of our tenement flat near the city centre. Life has felt a bit lonely recently. My other half is working in Europe for … Continue reading Short & sweet: Solo walks in the city
Here in the UK, Outlander has finally made it to our TV screens (I’m rewatching episode one as I type!). As tempting as it is to binge-watch on the box — even on a sunny day — how about exploring some of the places and histories that inspired author Diana Gabaldon herself? Alongside the other Scotlanders travel bloggers, I spent two days weaving through Stirling, Perthshire and … Continue reading On the Outlander-inspired Jacobite Trail!
One of my favourite phrases — which I fire at friends and visitors alike — is, ‘there’s history everywhere you go in Scotland.’ But in some parts of our dear green country, it’s harder to believe. The central belt especially was a hotbed of manufacturing and mines in days gone by; history and beautiful buildings at times were razed to make way for modern industries … Continue reading 5 historic hidden gems in Scotland’s central belt
4.30am in Edinburgh. It’s the morning after election day and, after hours spent stationary on the sofa, I notice the cracks of daylight below the curtains. I pull them back and the sky is turning from pastel to blue over the hulk of Arthur’s Seat, the dormant volcano that looms over the Edinburgh skyline. I can make out small dots on the summit and I … Continue reading Short & sweet: After the election
It was a bank holiday, there was a heatwave, and we were heading south. Last weekend — for a mere 48 hours — we waltzed about London, the UK’s buzzing multicultural capital. It had literally been half a decade since my last visit and (to be honest) I was a bit petrified. I’m a lass who thrives on empty spaces and simple pleasures; as I reflected, … Continue reading 4 ways to feel like a local in North London
Since the start of May, the weather on Scotland’s east coast has been stunning. Even if the days have dawned with the greyness of sea mist, by lunchtime it’s burnt off and the sky is a marvellous blue. We’ve been getting out as much as possible to enjoy it (because you never know how long good weather’s going to last in Scotland…) Last weekend’s jaunt … Continue reading Exploring East Lothian: North Berwick
When spring exploded this year — in a patchwork blanket of bright colour, little leaves unfurling like party poppers — it felt new. To me, at least. I had no deja-vu; I couldn’t recall the same season in my Edinburgh memories from last year. It could well have been due to other distractions at the time but — whatever it was — spring seemed more vivid … Continue reading Exploring Edinburgh: A blossom walking tour!
