Did you know you can take a ride on the real-life Hogwarts Express? The Jacobite Steam Train in Scotland is one of the best rail journeys in the world. It’s a bucket-list experience for any Harry Potter fan, and an incredible way to explore the Scottish Highlands. Here’s what you need to know about this… Read More What You Need to Know About the Jacobite Steam Train in Scotland
I did the North Coast 500 back in 2020, but I’m constantly discovering new places to visit in this beautiful part of Scotland. After seeing loads of photos on Instagram, I decided to break up the drive down south (on my way back from Orkney) with a walk out to Loch Glass, to see the… Read More How to Visit the Pink House on Loch Glass in Scotland
Hiking the West Highland Way was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had so far. I absolutely loved walking this 96-mile trail through Scotland. Plus, it’s definitely possible to do the WHW on a budget! If you’re planning on doing this hike, I’ve put together a packing list. I did the West Highland Way… Read More West Highland Way Packing List: What to Pack for Hiking the West Highland Way
This summer, I set off on one of the most exciting adventures I’ve had yet: I hiked all 96 miles of the West Highland Way in Scotland! This was a stunning trek, through unbelievable scenery in the Scottish Highlands. I kept track of all of my expenses, to be able to give a realistic budget… Read More How Much Does it Cost to Hike the West Highland Way in Scotland?
Thinking of an incredible adventure through the Scottish Highlands? The West Highland Way is a 96-mile, long-distance trail running through Scotland. It starts in Milngavie, heads up past the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, and through Rannoch Moor and Glencoe to finish in Fort William. It’s the trip of a lifetime – and one of… Read More A 7-Day Itinerary for Hiking the West Highland Way
Scotland is easily one of my favorite destinations in the world, and I’m constantly discovering new incredible places around the country. I visited Glen Affric several years ago, on the way to the Isle of Skye, and knew it was a place I’d have to come back to. I recently revisited on my way up… Read More Hiking in Glen Affric, Scotland: The Loch Affric Circuit
As a born and bred Minnesotan, I spent most of my life living in an extreme winter climate. I’ve done a few winter hikes on my own as an adult in MN, but the majority of my winter hiking experience has now been in the UK. When winter weather hits, this country goes crazy (or… Read More My Top Tips for Winter Hiking in the UK
My trip to Orkney was one of the best of my life. There is so much to see and do on this cluster of islands, just off the north coast of Scotland. I had 8 days to explore Orkney, and packed in a lot into this short amount of time! While I loved my adventures… Read More The Complete Orkney Guide: An 8-Day Itinerary for the Orkney Islands
Westray is one of the small North Isles that make up the Orkney archipelago, off the north coast of Scotland. So many people skip these islands or don’t have enough time to visit – but I absolutely recommend visiting, and staying the night here to maximize your time! If you’re planning a visit to Westray… Read More What to See and Do on Westray, Orkney
Papa Westray is one of the smallest inhabited islands in Orkney, the incredible archipelago off the north coast of Scotland. It’s only about 4 miles long, and 1 mile wide at its longest point – but there’s plenty to see here. I made it out to the North Isles and Papa Westray (also known locally… Read More A Travel Guide for Papa Westray, Orkney
Like so many others, I visited Orkney in the hopes of seeing the Old Man of Hoy. At 449ft (137m), this is the tallest sea stack in Europe. It’s located just off the island of Hoy, which is just south of Mainland Orkney. So when I was planning my trip to Orkney, I knew I… Read More Hoy, Orkney: Visiting the Old Man of Hoy and Rackwick Bay
My trip to Orkney in June was one of the top highlights of my year, my (nearly) 6 years living in the UK, and possibly my life in general. I chose to visit in June specifically for wildlife, and really – to be honest – because I wanted to see puffins. I love puffins! They’re… Read More Where to See Puffins on Orkney
One of the top reasons I was obsessed with visiting Orkney? I wanted to take the shortest commercial flight in the world, which is between two of the small islands – Papa Westray and Westray. This was something I’d dreamed of for years, since I found out it existed. Here’s everything you need to know… Read More The World’s Shortest Commercial Flight: Papa Westray to Westray With Loganair
On all of my trips, I keep track meticulously of how much things cost. I tally up every meal, every beer – everything I spend money on. My trip to Orkney was no different! I planned my trip to be a budget trip – I wild camped for the vast majority of it, which was free,… Read More How Much Does it Cost to Visit Orkney on a Budget?
My trip to Orkney in June was the adventure of a lifetime. I had so many bucket list experiences and got to see and do so much! This is an incredible destination, and one I can’t recommend visiting enough. But what do you need to pack for a trip to Orkney? What are the Orkney… Read More What to Pack for a Trip to Orkney, Scotland
Orkney… one of the most magical trips of my lifetime. This part of Scotland has been on my bucket list for years. After my 2020 trip was canceled due to the pandemic, I planned the trip of my dreams for June. This was one of the most exciting, fascinating, and rewarding destinations I have ever… Read More Orkney: What You Need to Know Before You Go
Wondering what a bothy is? Or what you should know before you plan to stay in a bothy? I love spending time outdoors and hiking on my trips, and this year I’ve had some truly spectacular experiences staying in bothies around Britain. This bothy guide will hopefully answer your questions about bothies and get you… Read More A Bothy Guide for Beginners: What to Know About Bothies in Britain
The Cairngorms National Park – what a place! My trip here over the extended Easter break was a wonderful introduction to this incredible part of Scotland. This is one of two national parks in Scotland and home to the Cairngorm mountain range – including Ben Macdui, the second-highest mountain in the UK (after Ben Nevis). For an… Read More Cairngorms National Park Travel Guide: What to See and Do
Ben Lomond is the most southern Munro, a term given to a mountain in Scotland that is over 3,000 feet (914 meters). At 974 meters, Ben Lomond is one of the smaller ones – but it’s location on the eastern side of Loch Lomond means it’s a very popular one. On my trip to Loch Lomond… Read More Ben Lomond: Hiking Up the Ptarmigan Path
At the end of last year, one of my best friends came to visit me in the UK. I had only a few days off work, but we decided to spend a few days in Scotland – specifically the Isle of Arran, in the Firth of Clyde. With mountains, glens, historic sites, and beautiful coastline, the… Read More The Isle of Arran: A Guide for Visiting Scotland in Miniature