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  My top 10 books of 2023

  In no particular order, here are some of the books I have read and enjoyed this past year. There are many more I haven’t included, such as a few cheesy romance books I binge-read in early spring. 1. The Bookseller of Inverness, S.G. MacLean.I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this foray into…

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  My thoughts on – Christmas movies!

  It is that time of year wherein I find myself either indulging in multiple Christmas movies or rebelling and watching something as un-Christmasy as possible, like reruns of Criminal Minds or The Walking Dead. During my recent bout of Covid, I forced myself to try to watch some of the cheesy Christmas romantic films that…

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  Kenmore Hill circuit

  The Scottish Highlands are legendary for their stunning hills, lochs, and the hikes and paths that allow you to view them in a way you can only do by foot. Not long before the start of lockdown, we spent a weekend at a self-catered cottage in Aberfeldy, allowing us plenty of time to explore the…

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  Winter Wonderland

  This Saturday, the east of Scotland woke to a snowstorm. In our area, it was the kind of storm that was steady but not terrible, and where the flakes varied between large and enormous, coating the ground in two to three inches of fluffy white. Often here when it snows, it starts to disappear almost…

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  Diana’s Baths walk, New Hampshire

  It has been a long few weeks with the holidays approaching and Thanksgiving zipping past. At a very family-centric time of year, my mind often returns to New England and particularly New Hampshire, where I spent so much time growing up. Casting my mind back to May, I recalled that our whirlwind trip to the…

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  15 of my favourite castles*

  *so far! It is clear to everyone by now, I am sure, that I love castles. I have opinions on which types are best, of course, but really, I love them all. I love the aesthetics: the ruined ones, the restored ones, the mostly complete ones, and everything in between. Several years ago I decided…

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  My thoughts on – Medieval movies

  There are some movies that my other half will outright refuse to watch with me. Fair enough, at times I shout or get annoyed when a historical fact is misrepresented. 2010’s Robin Hood was one of those during which I lost my mind a touch (despite my love of Cate Blanchett). But, I am also…

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  Sun Bay Beach, Vieques

  I have been wanting to do a Puerto Rico post for some time but was a bit flummoxed on where to start. There are so many beautiful beaches and views that I could not decide if I wanted to choose one, or just highlight some of my favourites. In the end, the former won out,…

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  House and Falls of Bruar

  A weekend visit or mid-road trip stop at the House of Bruar is an absolute guilty pleasure, and on a wet and rainy day like today, I often find myself thinking about the next time I can manage to escape north. The House of Bruar is a bit difficult to explain – it is a…

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  Balmerino Abbey

  I recall summer 2020 as being a time of hope and a touch of freedom after a spring of uncertainty, lockdown, and fear. While work was still very much from home, people were taking advantage of the fine weather to be outdoors, even if socialising was still touch-and-go. I took advantage of having not long…

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