As a Scot, I’m more than familiar with the harrowing tales of Scotland’s persecution of ‘witches’ (mostly women), which hit its peak between the late 16th to the early 18th century. However, it was only recently that I learned of Lillias Aidie’s grave; the ‘only known named witch’s grave in all of Scotland’. To keep the trolls at bay, I might add that this was heavily disputed in my TikTok video comments. However (I am told), the explanation for this claim was that it is the only one that a) had a body b) was confirmed to have a body in it c) had a name attached to it. In this…
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Smailholm Peel Tower: A Scottish Borders Hidden Gem
Smailholm Tower is a peel tower located near Kelso in the Scottish Borders. It sits on a little crag called Lady Hill, keeping watch across the Scottish countryside. Built in the 15th century, like all Scottish peel towers, it was designed to protect occupants from English raids. Despite its violent past, it is now one of the best-preserved peel towers in Scotland. Here’s everything you need to know about Smailholm Tower: Smailholm Tower History Dating back to the 15th century, Smailholm Tower was originally constructed as a defensive stronghold during a turbulent era of border conflicts by the Pringles of Smailholm. The Pringles were a powerful local family who hold…
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Edinburgh Fringe Festival: The Most Unusual & Quirky Past Venues
Contrary to what the people who don’t dig past the crowded streets and first pages of the programme might tell you, The Edinburgh Fringe isn’t just comedy, dance interpretation, and English, public school Performing Arts students standing on buckets on the Royal Mile. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a world-renowned arts festival that takes place annually in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is the largest open-access arts festival in the world, featuring an (often overwhelming) variety of performances including theatre, comedy, music, and dance. The festival showcases established and emerging artists from all around the globe – lots of performers have used it as a platform to launch impressive careers – providing…
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The Best Hotels on Scotland’s North Coast 500: Accommodation Guide
The North Coast 500 in Scotland is a 500-mile route that loops road-trippers around the very top of the Highland coastline. It is celebrated for its diverse scenery and sense of remoteness; while the east part of the journey takes on a flat ‘English countryside’ feel, the rugged west coast winds through steep mountains and paradise beaches. Read my full NC500 Scotland 4-Day Itinerary, which includes my favourite things to see on the route. Factors to consider when choosing hotels on the North Coast 500 The famous scenic route offers a wide range of accommodations to travellers. From historic castles to modern boutique hotels, there’s something for everyone on the…
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Aonang, Krabi Travel Guide: Travel tips and FAQs Answered
I’ve been coming back and forth to Aonang, Krabi since I was 28 (I’d tell you how many years that’s been, but I’m not quite ready to accept how old I am now!). Whilst a lot of the places I visited during my first trip to Thailand have drastically changed, Aonang has someone managed to maintain a lot of its ‘authentic’ Thai feeling, albeit, with a lot more walking streets and overpriced air-con coffee shops. Outside of the busy, farang-filled main street, you’ll find soi (street) after soi of green jungle roads, dotted with the small concrete homes of locals, roosters freely kicking up the dust in the yards and…
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Unique and cool things to see and do in and around Krabi Town
Krabi, Thailand is a tropical paradise that is often overlooked by tourists in favour of more popular destinations like Phuket and Bangkok. But this particular province holds a special place in my heart – so much so that I chose to make it my home for over 2 years. Krabi is not somewhere you fall in love with immediately. At first glance, it looks like your standard gateway stop point – offering connections to a lot of the paradise islands seen across movies and social media accounts (are we too far along to be referencing ‘The Beach’ nowadays?) However, scratch the surface and you’ll find some of the most exciting…
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Unveiling Athens’ Hidden Wonderland: The Unusual Little Kook Café
Looking for the most Instagramable café in Athens? I’ve got you covered! One of the first things I do when heading to a new city is hop on TikTok and search for ‘Hidden gems’ and ‘Unusual things to do’ in that area. And that’s how I found Little Kook in Athens. This café is undeniably the most Instagram-able coffee spot in the entire city. Once you step foot into Little Kook, you’ll understand why it has gained such a dedicated following of locals and tourists alike. It’s not just a café; it’s an experience. So, make sure your phone is fully charged and your filters are on point because your…
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Plant-Based Travel: A Guide to EasyJet’s Vegan Food Offerings
It’s been a while since I’ve flown with EasyJet but, much like the larger airlines, the last time I took a trip with them, vegan food options on the flight were frustratingly limited. My biggest plant-based in-flight bugbear? We’re way past 2020, but vegan milk alternatives still appear to bamboozle airline menu teams. HOWEVER, on my recent flight between Edinburgh and Athens, I was pleasantly surprised by the non-dairy glow-up that the EasyJet offering has been through. Here’s a detailed list of all the vegan food options on EasyJet flights (as of June 2023). Easyjet Vegan Hot Food And Mains I’m going to dive right into the most important part,…
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The BirdsNest Meadows – Scotland’s Smallest Gallery
I LOVE seeking out a city’s lesser-known hidden gems, and so I am thrilled to share one that has recently emerged in the heart of Edinburgh. Prepare to be delighted as we step into the enchanting world of the BirdsNest Gallery Meadows, a miniature art haven nestled along the edges of the beautiful Meadows Park. Picture this: a petite 1930s police box transformed into a captivating art gallery, exuding charm and creativity in every inch. The BirdsNest Meadows is a project born from the vision of its larger (private) sister gallery on Edinburgh St Clerk St. But what makes this gallery truly remarkable? Well, it proudly holds the official title…
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The Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Aonang, Krabi, Thailand
Planning a trip to Thailand and looking for a beach destination that caters to vegan and vegetarian diets? Aonang in Krabi has your back! Located on the southern coast of Thailand, Aonang attracts a mixed crowd of backpackers, solo travellers, families, and couples, with the promise of firey red and pink sunsets, limestone cliffs, relaxed evenings and island adventures. It’s also home to a plethora of vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants, making it a comfortable destination for plant-based foodies. Why Aonang is a haven for plant-based eaters? Thailand is known for its flavourful cuisine, but it can be challenging to find vegan and vegetarian options in some areas. Unless you’re comfortable…
