The Isle of Arran is the ideal place to take a break (regardless of whether you’re a Scottish local or new visitor to the country). Being one of Scotland’s larger islands, there’s plenty of things to do in Arran; with its proximity to the mainland meaning those short on time can visit most of the main attractions without feeling rushed. As the conversation around climate change increases, we see more and more Eco-conscious explorers looking for ways to minimise their carbon footprint. With that thought, here’s my top recommendations for a several days in Arran; including how to get around, what to do and where to eat … How to…
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The Field House Airbnb Scottish Highlands Cottage
Did you spot the cool little Airbnb Scottish Highlands cottage over on my Instagram? I’m forever trawling Airbnb Scotland for hidden gems; cool and unusual Scottish accommodation that you’d be hard pushed to find anywhere else. I love finding rustic little sheds, abandoned trains, traveller caravans, etc. that have been lovingly restored into quirky small-scale places to lay your head for the night. And Scotland has loads of them! Our cottage style Airbnb in Fort Augustus Scotland For our trip to Loch Ness, famous for both its monster (I’ve never seen it) and its sheer size, we decided to check out Airbnb in Fort Augustus. The tiny little village sits…
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Unusual Edinburgh accommodation: Sleep in a jail with CODE Pod Hostel
CODE Pod Hostel opened its door for the first time in Edinburgh’s old town at the start of August 2019. A refurbished former court house and jail on the famous Edinburgh Royal Mile, it promises to bring the capital city of Scotland up to speed with the boutique hostel market. Flash-packing in Edinburgh never felt so good! Want cool free things to do in Edinburgh? Take a look at my post: 100 Free Things to do in Edinburgh The Court by CODE Pod Hostels Location With its cobblestone roads and towering tight closes, Edinburgh’s old town is one of the most desirable accommodation spots for tourists. CODE Pod Hostel is…
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The Secret Scottish Pyramid in Cairngorms National Park
Tourists flock to Scotland for its famous crumbling castles, challenging mountain ranges and glorious green landscapes. But something you wouldn’t expect to see hiding amongst the forests of this little Northern European country is a triangular shrine dedicated to the loved one of Queen Victoria; a secret Scottish pyramid! I first heard about the pyramid in Scotland whilst digging around for some off-the-beaten-track style places to hit up on my next trip North. This large monument is actually one of eleven Scottish cairns (man-made pile of stones) commemorating members of the British royal family. Prince Albert’s cairn (the largest) was built after his death in 1861 and now stands proudly…
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Monachil gorge walk and the hanging bridges of Los Cahorros
Only 8km or so from Granada, Monachil is sweet little mountain village, perfect for a half day deviation from city life. In recent years, this hillside dwelling has become popular due to one particular tourist attraction – the Monachil Gorge Walk and the hanging bridges of Monachil. Better known by the locals as the hanging bridges of Los Cahorros Granada (this is what you’re looking for when asking for directions or following the signs), this rambler’s route is now one of the main talking points for the Granada Hiking scene. If you’re looking specifically for the hanging bridges, it’s worth noting that when you arrive at the start of the…
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The best castles on the West coast of Scotland
Fairy-tale castles, historic castles, haunted castles, battlefield castles – Scotland has them all! On a recent road trip up the Scottish West coast, I decided to make the most of things and explore the castles in West Scotland. There are literally thousands of these buildings across my home country – so many that I haven’t even managed to get through all of the ones around my hometown of Edinburgh! With that in mind, here’s my list of the best castles on the West coast of Scotland … Heading North? Don’t forget to check out my 1-day itinerary for the Best things to see in Skye. Eileen Donan – the most…
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The best things to see in Skye – 1 day Itinerary
For me, the Isle of Skye is the most magical place is Scotland. The lack of transport, although somewhat frustrating, comes with a certain charm that forces you to embrace local life, hire a car or stick out your thumb and hope for a lift. The island’s twisty one-lane roads, isolated white-painted houses and abundance of sheep throw you back in time to a more simplistic way of life that (as a Scott) I can’t help but feel proud of. With so much to see and do on Scotland’s famous Isle, here’s my list of the best things to see in Skye when navigating on a short 1 day time…
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Alhambra Granada Tickets – what to do if Alhambra Tickets sold out
So you’ve tried to get Alhambra Granada tickets, but they have sold out! Getting Alhambra Nasrid Palace tickets is one of the top things to do in Granada. The palace and its gardens are world famous for their size, colour and history, with around 8,500 people visiting each day. In the past, you could book Alhambra tickets with Ticketmaster. However, with the demand for entrance is such high numbers, this changed in 2017. For my visit to Granada, I had assumed that a few weeks was ample time to book my Alhambra entrance tickets online. I was wrong. By the time I’d gone onto the official website my limited dates…
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Where to get the best vegan breakfast in Edinburgh in Veganuary
So you’re trying Veganuary and already you’re missing those big fry ups/Sunday brunch pancake stacks/ simple fruit and yogurt! Switching to a vegan diet can be tough … think of it the same way as being on a weight loss diet, you are trying to change habits of a lifetime. Breakfast out of the house used to be a pretty boring affair for vegans; beans on toast (no margarine of course) was a tiresome staple. However, times are a changing. Here’s my list of where to get the best vegan breakfast in Edinburgh to help you through Veganuary … Loudons vegan pancakes and vegan eggs Benedict By far one of…
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10 Unusual things to see in Scotland that you probably haven’t heard of
For such a tiny country, Scotland really packs a whole lot of things to do and see. If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to take in all the usual Scotland tourist attractions quickly before hunting down a more unique and unusual experiences. In this post I’ve tried to create and alternative guide to Scotland; a list of unusual things to see in Scotland that you might not have already heard about. If you’re visiting Edinburgh, be sure to take a look at my 100 Free Things to do in Edinburgh post. It lists so many things that even the locals don’t know about! But for now, back to attractions…
