Did you know that golf was invented in Scotland? Despite its small size, Scotland is filled with rich history, dramatic landscapes, and down-to-earth people. Endless skies, rugged mountains, glacial valleys, and sparkling lochs have captivated visitors for hundreds of years. Continue reading
Whisky is Scotland’s national drink and its biggest export. For more than 500 years, skilled distillers have taken the basic ingredients of barley and water and transformed them into single-malt whisky. Over the years, many attempts have been made to copy the unique fiery taste of Scotch Whisky in different parts of the world, but with no apparent success. By law, the spirit cannot be called Scotch until it has aged in Scotland for at least three years, but most single malt whiskies are left to mature for much longer. Continue reading
If you’re like me, whenever you hear of Scottish food, you probably think of Haggis. But with the country’s changing eating habits, Scotland has evolved to be a culinary destination for food lovers with a strong emphasis on fresh and locally sourced produce. With the Atlantic ocean on its doorstep and plenty of rolling green hills means an abundance of fresh seafood, succulent beef, and wild game. You can eat extremely well from the big cities to the furthest isles. Fine bistros, cozy pubs, quirky cafés, and everything in between offer delicious fare. Here is a list of all the food (and drinks) you should try while visiting Scotland: Continue reading
When we were planning our trip to Scotland, I knew I wanted to do a road trip. It was only a matter of convincing hubby that it was a good idea. Road trips are great for exploring a country because there is more flexibility to plan routes and make lots of pit stops on the way. Since there are so many stunning landscapes it would be a shame not to stop.
I am a big Potterhead and I’ve read all seven books many many times over, devouring every single page. I also watch the movies and yearn to be part of that world. Each time I watched Harry Potter and his friends pull away on the Hogwarts Express on the silver screen, I wistfully looked on, wishing that I am on my way to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Imagine my surprise when I learned that the Hogwarts Express is real and it’s actually called the Jacobite Express! This iconic steam engine train runs a twice a day on the 84-mile stretch from Fort William to Mallaig. Continue reading
Finding the perfect hotel is a priority whenever I travel since it is important to find a comfortable home-base when exploring a new city. In the past, we had always opted to stay at the bigger hotel chains like Hilton or Starwood because of our status. Since that status has now mostly expired, we want to try other options like AirBnB and boutique hotels. While in Edinburgh, we decided to stay at the Tigerlily Edinburgh, an award-winning luxury boutique hotel. One of the things that drew me to Tigerlily in the first place was their eclectic design. The lounge and bar areas are decorated like the set of a Tim Burton movie – full of pink hues, mirrored walls, extravagant chandeliers, and flowers everywhere. Continue reading
Edinburgh is a city filled with culture, heritage, and plenty of history. As a UNESCO world heritage site, history is an integral part of city’s status. Its inhabitants can be traced all the way back to the Bronze Age when the first settlement was established in the area. Continue reading
I have to admit that I had a hard time writing the introduction for Edinburgh. Not because there is nothing to say; quite the opposite in fact, there is so much to see and share that I didn’t quite know where to start. Our three days in Scotland’s capital city was filled with things to do, yet it never felt hectic. The compact walkable city is filled with quirky nooks that just beg to be discovered. The combination of medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with hidden gardens, neoclassical buildings, and tiny windy alleys is what makes Edinburgh special. So special in fact that the whole city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.
life after 9to5 