Travel Scotland. Places to see on a first trip to the Scottish Highlands

This travel guide is full of information and travel inspiration for first-time visitors to the Scottish Highlands. For all lovers of the great outdoors, culture and history, a trip to the Highlands creates memories that last a lifetime.

The Scottish Highlands are known for heritage, clan history, fairytale castles, seawater lochs, quirky tea shops and cafés, lush vast space, towering mountainscapes, deep ridges, gurgling streams and rivers, ancient woodland, shipwrecks, colourful villages, a lively pub scene, passionate artisans, and exciting film locations. Throw in friendly locals, and adorable highland coos to complete the picture.

The Unfair Traveller - Symptoms and Treatment - Travel Etiquette

Travelling is what I love to do, in recent months alone I visited seven different countries, and you can well imagine that I spend a lot of time in, on and around public transport, like train stations, bus stops, airports, planes, boats and trains. I always expect the very worst things that can happen to me on my travels. I’m fully aware that I’m at risk of experiencing profoundly disturbing or utterly bothersome things, as soon as I leave my home. I love that with my expectation comes a feeling of being prepared (up to a certain extent).

The Unfair Traveller - Symptoms

Looking at the state of things when travelling I have serious doubts that we will ever achieve world peace.

Eyewitness Edinburgh in Scotland: Steven from Finding a Neish

One of my shock and horror moments was when I asked a fellow travel blogger whether he is interested in doing something together against racism. I naively assumed that we as frequent travellers can tell stories that show the world that love is so much better than hate. The reaction was as sobering as it was sad “Sounds good, but I don’t want to lose out on assignments. I would rather not be involved …”.

Speechless. I have strong moral principles and no freebie, be it in form of a glass of sparkling wine or even a massive piece of cream-cake, can change that.

In Steven, the face behind the blog Finding a Neish, I found someone who shares my views. I admire in him that he obviously hasn't sold his soul and isn't afraid to speak out. I knew Steven from talking about travelling but my interest in him grew as I heard his opinion about Brexit.

How to Spot a Fantastic Restaurant: Look at these Three Things

To let the cat out of the bag, I am not into fast food at all. I love restaurants where I can feel the passion for a product, places where waiters understand how to excite diners, where waiters know how to take diners on a journey. They can take me on a tiny journey, really I don’t mind, I don’t expect fireworks every time I eat out, I just want to be on fire .. a bit. I love to observe other diners (and especially friends and family I go out with). I also read lots of restaurant ratings on several websites. Over the years and (I reckon) hundreds of restaurant visits later I came to the conclusion that most diners really have to be more honest, yes I might even say more realistic.

You get what you pay for. People often love places because they are so cheap. That is what I really hear too often. Isn’t it obvious that cheap and amazing experiences at restaurants don’t very often come together? Quality products and professional staff that in the end lead to a special experience cost money. Easy.

Cheap and cheerful is terrific too, all in good time. Expecting excellence at a cheap and cheerful place is not so cool really. That is what I mean when I talk about realistic expectations. Again, you get what you pay for, and I believe in fair play. Don’t go to a cheap and cheerful place and behave like having dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant.

Speciality Coffee Places in Edinburgh Tested by a Coffee Snob

Am I cursed, ever since I have lived in Melbourne (Australia)? Probably yes. Over all these years I was surrounded by antipodean coffee snobs. Seven years were long enough, to turn me into one too. And now I can’t go back to drinking ordinary coffee. Read this to learn more about Espresso based drinks. I love walking, really love it, I walk a lot. And over and over again, it proves to be the best way to randomly find places and spaces. A woman’s got to do what a woman’s got to do right? While in Edinburgh recently, I tried to find good coffee places. Here are the independently owned coffee places I found, as I was walking the streets of Edinburgh.

Travel Scotland: Where to Find Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh

Have you heard of Greyfriars Bobby? There was this Edinburgh policeman, John Gray, who died in 1858. After he was buried in Greyfriars cemetery his dog, a Skye Terrier called Bobby, kept watch over John Gray's grave until (his own death) in 1872. I love all tales of devotion and faithfulness, and I wonder how come that a dog mourns his owner for a whopping 14 years? Would he not have needed a bit of time with him before that? What is the life expectancy of dogs? 

Who is Greyfriars Bobby

Probably Bobby was a stray dog who made a home for himself in the graveyard, the people treated him well and he stayed. Whatever the truth might be, it is the most wonderful story. Everybody who shared life with a pet knows the unconditional love of her or his companion.

The Greyfriars Bobby is a Pub on 30 - 34 Candlemaker Row in Edinburgh, Midlothian EH1 2 QE. 

Would you like to find out where to Eat in Style in Edinburgh?

From Berlin with love

Travel Scotland. Where to Eat Vegetarian in Style in Edinburgh

Scotland is world famous for its unhealthy cuisine right? Do you like deep fried mars bars or tatties? Me neither, so I had to find pretty restaurants to eat delicious food. And that was as easy as counting to ten. It leaves me puzzled as to why Scotland has this bad food reputation?

There is the rustic medieval Old Town and the elegant Georgian New Town. Edinburgh the capital city of Scotland holds the charm of a great country town. There is the lush green area all around Arthur’s Seat with the deep blue North Sea in the far distance. Edinburgh is narrow lanes, Gothic architecture and grand roads with colourful doors.

I found several great options for food, and all in stylish settings. It appears that in winter it is all about beets, barley and pears, but read on. I went to ...