13 | Edinburgh

Edinburgh

This weekend was quite a busy one! I dashed to get the train to Glasgow on Friday straight after work, then changed on to a train to take me to my dad’s on the west coast, where I arrived just before midnight. I woke up super early, and went into Glasgow before catching the train to Edinburgh which is when the fun could really start! It was a beautiful morning and walking through Glasgow (to the sound of bagpipes and drums) I had a moment of feeling incredibly lucky to be able to travel so easily and got really excited about being up in Scotland again.

I arrived in Edinburgh for lunchtime and walked past the tourists on the Royal Mile out to the Meadows where my friend was doing a 5k obstacle run. I sat on the grass watching everyone run (walk) past, the sun was shining and I was just so happy, I felt so relaxed, so at ease and as though all my London stresses and troubles were so far away… which they were! We had the most delicious savoury crepe for lunch, which I can 100% recommend, from a little stall at the top of Middle Meadow Walk, where it meets Lauriston Place, before hopping in my friend’s car and leaving Edinburgh behind for the Scottish countryside of North Berwick.

We met my friend’s dad at a tiny airfield, as he had offered to take me out on his microlite, which was an offer I could not refuse! He kitted me out in flying gear, helmet and radio, before taking to the sky! It was so amazing, flying over the coastline, over Gannet Rock (a big white rock which is so white from all the bird poo!) and over all the huge country homes and their gardens. We spent an hour in the air before landing and heading back into North Berwick for a beautiful sunset and cocktails.

Sunday morning, my friend and I went back to Edinburgh. It was a beautiful hot and sunny day so we went to Restoration Yard, just outside of the city. We had lunch, went for a walk around the grounds and even had a little nap in the courtyard – it was just bliss. A bonus being as well that I was getting the sleeper train back to London that evening, so there was no rush for me to get on a train mid afternoon – I had the whole day to take it easy.

I got a train back to Glasgow about 7pm, before catching the train back to London. For anyone who has never got the sleeper before, I always compare it to the Hogwarts Express – you really feel like you’re off on an adventure! You board the train, get your little bunk bed room (luckily I’ve always been with family.. I don’t much fancy sharing such a small space with someone I don’t know!), and then you can sit back, read a book, have a glass of wine, whatever you like before climbing into bed and going to sleep, knowing that through the night, you are moving closer to London. When I step off at Euston, I always feel a silent camaraderie with everyone else who gets off, as though in that moment we are all united in our love for adventure and our desire to escape to Scotland. Then, as quickly as this union forms, it disappears as everyone scatters, going their separate ways and getting back into their daily routines.

Five trains taken and a great weekend had.

Until next week…

8 | Kilcreggan

Kilcreggan

Last weekend (sorry this post is a bit late getting out there!), I paid a visit to Scotland. I’m very lucky that I have a little bolt hole to escape to when London gets too much, a little place where I can surround myself with hills, deer and lochs – this is where I spent last weekend.

The train journey is always a long one – I left Euston on the 17.30, and didn’t arrive into Helensburgh until 23.18, which felt really long, but its always so worth it. I love arriving at places in the dark because then when you wake up in the morning and pull the curtains back its such a surprise to see where you’ve ended up in the night.

Unfortunately, the weather last weekend was incredibly grey and rainy, all Saturday and most of Sunday (until on Sunday evening and sun came out and it was just AMAZING!). Saturday, the loch was so still and silent except for the quiet chug of the Dunoon ferry in the distance. My dad and I made our way to Glasgow for a mooch around the shops (we didn’t have umbrellas with us so we ended up getting very wet and a bit grumpy!), and then the Sunday we worked hard gardening and walking along the beach before making our way back to Glasgow to catch our train in the evening. Even late that night, my cheeks were red and so toasty from the few hours of sun, glistening off the surface of the loch. The sun in Scotland does usually catch me out, I always find myself getting burnt as I never expect it – how does the saying go, no one ever expects the Scottish sun? (ok, ok its Spanish inquisition but you get the picture).

Scotland has always held a place in my heart, I used to holiday there every year when I was young, and my dad and his family are all based there so whenever I can, I love getting up there. Last year my brother and I cycled the North Coast 500, which is a 500 mile route around the North of Scotland, starting and finishing in Inverness. We did it in six days and took our tents with us, and camped in the most beautiful, remote places on the way. There are so many people who live in England who have never been to Scotland but to anyone reading this who hasn’t been – GO! Take a plane, a train, a car, however you fancy, and get yourself up there and hopefully you’ll be blessed enough to have a bit of sun, because when the sun shines it truly is beautiful.

As the sun started to set, my dad and I jumped in the car and drove to Glasgow, the sun setting behind us as we drove – Sunday night and we both had to be in London for work the following morning. We dropped the car off, and had a bite to eat in town, before making our way to the station to catch the sleeper train.

I love the sleeper train.

I don’t even know if many people know it exists, but it does! It runs from Aberdeen, Fort William, Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh, and even though I’ve taken it so many times now, it still feels like I’m getting on the Hogwarts Express every time. You hop on, find your cabin and make yourself comfy, and a few hours later you wake up and you’re in London. I tell you now, its the way ahead, and it also gives you the whole of Sunday to spend in Scotland, so you can really make the most of your weekend! I already have another trip to the bonnie land up my sleeve so I’ll be sure to document the weekend, and my trip on the sleeper, on my instagram when I do (@everyweekendaway)… Stay tuned!