Last November, I wrote a post about how I was using travel restrictions to explore the nooks and crannies of Edinburgh and sample more of Scotland’s home-grown products. Since then, I’ve tried lots of new Scottish brands and, I want to tell you a little bit about vegan candles and vegan Scottish candle and home fragrance brand, Ariska (head to the bottom for an online discount!). What’s a vegan candle? Did you know that a lot of candles aren’t vegan? I know … sigh! “But why?”, you ask? It’s not uncommon for brands (especially larger ones that are churning them out in bulk) to use stearic acid or seeswax in…
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How to get Smoo Cave Scotland: Visitor guide and FAQs
Smoo Cave is one of the most popular stops on Scotland’s NC500 route. The enormous sea-cave is thought to have got its name from the Norse word ‘smjugg’ or ‘smuga’, meaning a hole or hiding-place. This staggering natural wonder is pretty unique, not only is it one of the largest natural sea caves in the UK, but it also has a rear chamber created by an underground freshwater stream. We made this the first stop of the day after an overnight stay in Bettyhill (a scenic one-hour coastal drive East of Smoo Cave). Give yourself at least an hour if you want to just explore the main chamber of the…
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How to find the Whaligoe Steps and Waterfall – North Coast 500
One of my favourite things to see on the East of the NC 500, the Whaligoe steps and waterfall are easy to find. On the A99 coastal you'll find a small crossroads ...
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The funniest negative TripAdvisor reviews of Arthur’s Seat Edinburgh
Arthur’s Seat is the main part of a cluster of hills in the city center of Edinburgh. The popular walking route was once an active volcano, and rises to a height of 822 feet – providing climbers with exhilarating views across the Edinburgh skyline. There are over 21,000 reviews of Arthur’s Seat, and it’s rated as TripAdvisor’s Best Things To Do in Edinburgh! The Scots have made sure not to mess with the area too much and, as a result, visitors can enjoy gentle strolls around Arthur’s Seat’s circumference, the ruins of a chapel from the 1400’s, and/or uninterrupted natural hikes without ever leaving the comforts of the city center.…
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Incredible Instagram spots and photography locations in Edinburgh
From old castles and natural beauty spots, to quirky architecture and cute cafes, there are tons of incredible Instagram spots and photography locations in Edinburgh. This blog highlights 23 of my favourites. How many have you ticked off? Instagram-Worthy Spots in Edinburgh The Edinburgh Grand I’m not gonna lie, I was a little bit nervous about strolling into the luxury hotel for the purpose of a photo. The team eyed me suspiciously as I ran between floors (some of them are locked to guests only) and I recommend you pop in for a cocktail on the top floor as a buffer if you’re not feeling ballsy. White Horse Close The…
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Vegan Menu at The Kitchin Edinburgh | Michelin Starred Restaurant
Until this year, I’d never been to a Michelin starred restaurant before (I’m a budget travel gal remember). So, imagine my delight when my friend booked us into a vegan menu sitting at The Kitchin, Edinburgh’s famous Michelin restaurant on Leith waterfront. Despite their wonderful vegan offering, I couldn’t find a menu example on their website, so I wanted to write a post (with photos) to show everyone what they served us on the day. Spoiler Alert: It was DELICIOUS! The Kitchin Restaurant by Tom Kitchin Before I begin, I’d like to mention that a photo of the full vegan menu we were given on the day is included at…
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Darnley’s Spiced Gin: Easy festive gin cocktail recipe
Have you tried Darnley’s Spiced Gin? With travel on hold, I’ve been keeping closer to home, exploring the nooks and crannies of Edinburgh and sampling a lot more of Scotland’s home-grown products. This is exactly how I discovered Darnley’s and their new Hot Gin Punch. Darnley’s Gin distillery in Scotland The Darnley’s name was inspired by Mary Queen of Scot’s first introduction to Lord Darnley at Wemyss Castle. The elderflower growing wild around the castle was what influenced the first Darnley’s Gin recipe. The Wemyss family opted to build their Scottish gin distillery in the village of Kingsbarn, Fife, transforming a derelict farm cottage into their current visitor centre. Using…
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Plant Bae Edinburgh | Vegan and vegetarian cafe
Plant Bae is a vegan and vegetarian cafe in the West End of Edinburgh, a mere stones throw away from the center’s smaller Haymarket train station. It’s an impressive pint-sized addition to Edinburgh’s growing list of vegan-friendly cafes; a trendy little spot to enjoy a weekend brunch or a casual coffee. You can find even more inspiration in my vegan breakfast in Edinburgh post. Pretty cafes in Edinburgh With its little pastel coloured booths and neat rows of bar-stooled benches, Plant Bae reminds me of the small (but fashionable) fast-food vegan cafes you might find hidden amongst the streets Berlin or Milan. Plant Bae Edinburgh menu When I first visited…
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How to climb Fyrish Monument on the NC500
Fyrish Monument is an unusual stone structure that can be reached by a 2 hour climb via Jubilee Path. The walk begins from a free car park surrounded by pine forest.
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How to get to Wailing Widow Falls, Loch na Gainmhich
The Wailing Widow Falls is a spectacular waterfall in the Scottish Highlands that can be viewed from both above and below. The 50ft falls spill out over the cliff from Loch na Gainmhich, crashing into a narrow canyon at the bottom. The Wailing Widow Waterfall was one of my ‘must see’ spots on our NC500 tour (check out my 4-day North Coast 500 itinerary here). I came across it by chance whilst scrolling through Scottish Instagram feeds and chatting to photographers who’d already done the popular road trip. Big Waterfalls in Scotland There are loads of big waterfalls in Scotland, the highest waterfall in Scotland (and the UK) is actually located…
