Folklore and fantasies on the Isle of Skye

Monday, May 19 – Wednesday, May 21

The Isle of Skye was not a place that has always been on my ‘places to go list,’ in fact I didn’t even know about it until J and I made the move to Scotland, and I was constantly told by friends, customers at work and sometimes strangers about this wonderful place. That’s why it ended up going on the ‘list’.

And we finally decided to go during our May holidays.

After doing a bit of research, we were shocked at how expensive a trip up to Skye could be, especially travelling there by bus or train and because we were doing a bit of a scatter-brain style trip. We originally were planning to travel from Loch Lommond (to go wild camping), then to Skye and then on to Aviemore (to meet up with our flatmates). Which would definitely have been quite pricey and instead we opted to do a three-day tour with Macbackpackers, a small Scottish tourism company who own hostels all over the country and tours around the highlands and Skye. And it was the latter that came highly recommended by our flat mates who used to live with a couple who worked for them.

So that’s how we saw Skye.

Day One

Our day started by walking from our flat in Marchmont to the Old Town of Edinburgh, to Castle Rock Hostel, bypassing some cute bunnies on a patch of grass*. We waited in the reception area and till it was time to board the bus.

After hopping on, the bus driver and our tour guide for the next three days, Niall introduced himself, making it noticeable that he was in fact Scottish as he was wearing a kilt. He went through the safety features of the bus and then we were on our way.

We drove past beautiful scenery while Niall told us stories; he even did a run through of who had come on the tour, tempting everyone out of their shells with the question, “do you have a fantasy about Scotland that you want to come true?”

Someone said they wanted to swim in Loch Ness, but I told him I wanted to see the Fairy Pools on Skye.

Our pit stop was at Dunkeld, a picturesque town in Perthshire with the River Tay passing right through. Niall told us about the fascinating battles this township once saw with Vikings and pointed us towards the Dunkeld Church. A place that had been partially destroyed during the Reformation, once upon a time, but is now a beautiful ruin. The church grounds are probably one of the finest I’ve scene with the Tay flowing right next to it.

Dunkeld Church

Back on the bus again, we were entertained by even more of Niall’s quips and facts. One of the best things I heard all weekend, was using the example of ‘getting back with your ex-sex’ as a metaphor to explain continental drift.

After a bit more driving, our next stop was at the Culloden Battlefield outside Inverness. A place J and I wanted to visit when we stayed in Inverness. We were very happy we got to see it and to make it better, we received 50 per cent off the entry into the museum with our Macbackpackers wristbands that we were given.

By far one of the best museums I’ve been to, where it is easy to have a self-guided tour by following the signs and the multimedia-lead story boards, they split the Jacobite descriptions to the right-hand side and the Government descriptions to the left, making it very easy to gather enough information and not to overload on it.

The memorial on the Culloden Battlefield

Shamefully we only got an hour there, but we managed to walk through most of the museum and have a look at a fair bit of the displays, allowing us enough time to watch the re-enactment on big screens and to walk around the actual battleground.

We then took a few photos of some hairy highland coos that were next to the carpark, there was even a very cute calf with the shaggy ginger-coloured coat.

A Highland Coo

Once we were back on the bus it was a quick drive around some old country roads to the Balnuaran of Clava where we could walk around three quite large mounds of stones, and not just any old piles of stones, but structurally and architecturally sound, they were prehistoric burial cairns that were built about 4000 years ago.

Walking into the centre of one of the burial cairns

Back on the bus and it was onwards to Loch Ness, where we stopped by the side of the road and where Niall asked, “does anyone want to go for a swim?”

Well, J and I didn’t pack our togs so we were not prepared to go swimming at all, we didn’t even bring a towel. It wasn’t anywhere near warm enough for us either. But one brave Queenslander did, a guy who we learnt from all the earlier ‘getting to know each other introduction stuff’ was from Ipswich, decided he was going to brave the frosty temperatures and go for a dip.

Mysterious Loch Ness

The last stop on the drive was at Eilean Donan Castle – a castle that was used in the movie Entrapment with Sean Connery and that sits in between three lochs. We didn’t go right up to the castle, but instead at a little parking spot so we could get some photos. After the photo opportunity, it was back on the bus and onwards to Skye.

Once we arrived at the hostel in Kyleakin, that we had all too ourselves (Macbakpackers own two on the island but keep one just for the bus tours) we dropped our stuff on our bunks and freshened up before we headed to one of three local pubs, we decided to head to where everyone else from the tour was heading...to King Haakon Bar.

J and I both had fish and chips for dinner and a pint of the local brew, Skye Ale, which was all very tasty and hearty.

After chatting to our fellow tour goers for a little while, we headed down to the beach for a night stroll to see if we could spot any sea otters under Skye Bridge. Instead we saw a seal casually swimming just a short distance off shore by itself. We thought the tide of the mighty Atlantic was coming in quite quickly and decided not to chance getting stranded in the rocky cove that the otters apparently usually hang about in and went back to the hostel for some much needed sleep.

The town of Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye

Day Two

We left the hostel at about 8:30am so we could make a break before the weather turned bad. The first place we went to was called Sligachan Glen, made up of two mountains, the Red Cuillin and the Black Cuillin and Niall had been telling us about the local folklore, how one  (Black Cuillin) was a giant from Ireland and one was a warrior princess (Red Cuillin) – they fought until they decided to call a truce and fall in love* - I thought it was a great story, however it actually went.

The Black Cuillin

We were then told about the ‘fairy’ magic that hangs around in the area, even flowing into the streams of water running down from the Sligachan Glen and how if you dunked your head in for seven seconds or alternatively in and out three times – you would be eternally youthful, or something like that.

Me ruining my make-up to become eternally youthful

J and I both decided to take the plunge (pun intended), though I really regretted putting on mascara that morning, as it ran down my face, in front of complete strangers (oh the horror).

We were then back on the bus to drive towards the fairy pools for a wee hike. My fantasy* came true, after a mere 20-minute walk I got to see the pools and they were magnificent, especially since the sun decided to come out. We all relaxed midway and some of us even dangled our feet in the (freezing) turquoise rock pools. We did spot some brave guys who were giving swimming in them a go.

The fairy pools












We eventually wandered back towards the parking spot where Niall was picking us all up from, where we relaxed a little more and I even had time to change into a pair of shorts.

Once we were picked up and a 30-point-turn six-point-turn was achieved to turn the bus around we headed to Portree, the main town on the island for a bit of lunch. Niall pointed out the local bakery to everyone and low and behold that is where J and I headed (we love our pastries). But we were ultra excited for this bakery, because we discovered beef sausage rolls for the first time since arriving in the UK. Though one of our fellow travel buddies (a fellow Queenslander) was upset that there were no sachets of tomato sauce to go with the sausage roll.

J and I then headed to another bakery (where our Macbackpacker wristband also gave us discount) and bought homemade banana bread and a Cream Egg brownie.

Then it was back on to the bus, for what was quite a drive to the Quiraing where we were starting a three-hour hike. The weather had fogged up a great deal, but it didn’t matter there as it only added to the prehistoric-like atmosphere and once we were up to the top, the fog started blowing in between the pinnacles, creating even better photography opportunities.

Sticking together in our big group, no one seemed to struggle until we all came to this downwards slope, with a lot of loose rocks and basically all of us slid down.

The misty Quiraing

I was definitely knackered by the end of our second night on the Isle of Skye, on a quick stop back through Portree we picked up pasta to cook for dinner that night in the hostel kitchen and then we went back to the King Haakon Bar for a pint.

After one beer with the three travellers from Ipswich we decided to give the other pub, the Kings Arms a try and head there. I have always agreed with the notion of six-degrees of separation. Though I had earlier asked these fellow Queenslanders if they knew one of my best friends who I went to university with that is from there, which I was met with a shake of the head. In the end it turned out that they knew of a girl I went to primary school with, whose brother was engaged to their sister.

After a few beers it was definitely time for some sleep.

Day Three

The day before Niall gave us the option of catching the ferry back to the mainland, so that it would give us some time to see other things and so that we could go on a ferry ride, but only if we were able to sort it out amongst ourselves and put in a share each for the ticket. I don’t remember the exact amount, but it was over the £100 line for the whole bus, but it would come to about £6 per person. Of course you are on a bus with complete strangers, it is a strange situation to decide whether everyone could afford it, I mean most of them were like J and I and were on pretty tight budgets.

But thanks to the generosity of one Bulgarian/American and some other Macbackpackers* folk we hit the jackpot and were able to get the ferry. Once on mainland we went passed the train tracks at the most northerly point the train tracks go to in the UK, which lead us to the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the famous rail bridge that the Hogwarts train passes over during some of the Harry Potter movie series. We climbed up a hill to get a good glimpse of it.

The Glenfinnan Viaduct from the Harry Potter movies

Then it was a bit more driving down through the Highlands, passing through Fort William and the tallest mountain in the UK; Ben Nevis and a lot of the trails that make up the West Highland Way before we stopped again, this time at Glencoe. One of the most picturesque sceneries in all of the UK, and one that J and I had seen on a tour that we had done in our first year in Scotland.

Glencoe

Then next stop was a truck stop within the Trossachs National Park for some lunch and a toilet break, then there was some more driving before we arrived at our final stop on the tour; Doune Castle. This was also one of Niall’s ‘pick your own adventure’ type things and majority voted for Doune over the Wallace Monument in Stirling. And J and I were definitely excited by this, as it was the site of where Monty Python and the Holy Grail was filmed.

Niall even told us that if you asked the person at the ticket office, you could borrow coconut shells to re-enact that infamous scene. And that is exactly what J and I did and an American girl that was on the tour with us.

Back on the bus and onwards towards Edinburgh, passing by the incredible Falkirk Kelpies before we arrived back at Castle Rock and parted ways with the rest of the tour goers.

*Who were mating! It was the end of Spring…C’mon bunnies get a room!

*Obviously missing out on a huge chunk of that story, but you get the gist of it.

*Not my “fantasy” but the one Niall (the bus driver) asked of what we wanted to see/do on the Isle of Skye.

*I won’t name names, but thanks to those generous people for chipping in.

Have you been to the Isle of Skye? Did you enjoy it? Let us know by commenting below. Still catching up on some writing, but my pieces on Aviemore and Orkney will be up soon, so watch this space! Until next time! x

A night in Inverness: the 'gateway' to the Highlands

Saturday, March 22 – Sunday, March 23

A couple of weekends ago, J and I both experienced the rare occasion of having a Saturday off (if you work in retail, you’ll get me) and so we decided to head off into the sunset – or in this case on a beautiful sunny morning in Edinburgh – we headed to Inverness.

Day One

We left Edinburgh at 8:25pm on a Megabus bus, which cost £38 for the both of us return. I originally wanted to go to the Cairngorms, but considering we only booked accommodation the night before, we didn’t have much choice, considering they were still getting a little bit of snow fall still.

We had a budget of £40 for the both of us, for the night. Even all the bed and breakfasts were all booked out around Aviemore, so there we were on the bus heading to Inverness.

We passed breathtakingly beautiful snowy landscapes and we were there within three and bit hours.

We walked to Bazpackers Hostel from the bus station, which was passed the Inverness Castle* and adjoining to the Castle Tavern. We were shown to our room by the some-what quiet host – then he showed us around and then left us to it.

The view from Bazpackers Hostel yard.

I changed my boots to a different pair and we walked back to Castle Street, turning left on the bridge to the other side of River Ness, passed Inverness Cathedral, following the river upstream, where we crossed over another bridge to Ness Island.

You could see where Salmon fishermen would stand usually, when it’s the right season, unfortunately they weren’t out when we were there. And apparently if you’re lucky you can catch glimpses of seals – again, it wasn’t the right season. 

On Ness Island

Now these footbridges are not ideal if you don’t have good sea legs and are walking across with someone like, let’s say J, who loved shaking the rails, making the bridge wobble and sway. All the while he had the cheekiest grin on his face, whilst testing the suspension of these old bridges to the limits.

One of the foot bridges over to Ness Island.

We couldn’t believe how fast moving the river was, an indication they had probably had a bit of rain up there recently. The river had swallowed a few patches of daffodils and some of Ness Island.

The Koi Carp in the pond at Floral Hall

We explored Ness Island, crossing three or four other bridges*.

Then we went to Floral Hall – a quaint botanical garden that had beautiful tropical flowers and a cool succulent/cacti garden, complete with a pond holding Japanese and Israeli Koi Carp. 

After looking around at the plants we sat down at the café for tea and coffee and cake; J had a carrot cake and I had a Victoria sponge. 

Then we walked back through Ness Island, back to the town centre. We popped into a Scottish chain shoe store* (I won’t give the name away because I work in the Edinburgh franchise) to see what the Inverness store looked like (nerd I know).

We then wandered through the Victorian Market, and old arcade full of different shops, I think when it was originally founded it was used as a fish market. We just wandered around as it was late in the afternoon and a lot of the shops had started shutting.

A clock at the Victorian Market

After popping into the Tesco Metro across the river, we headed back to the hostel to chill out in front of the fireplace in the lounge room. Then we got changed and we headed out for dinner across the road at La Tortilla, a Spanish tapas restaurant where we met up with a colleague of mine and where another one worked*.

J and I shared four tapas dishes; garlic chicken, tortilla, haloumi and courgette pakoras and salt and pepper calamari. I enjoyed this with a glass of red, and J with a pint of Estrella. It was delicious – I think my favourite was the garlic chicken, though you probably wouldn’t have wanted to get closed to me after I ate it. And to top it off J and I shared torrijas (similar to French toast) sprinkled with cinnamon and served with ice cream. It was something we had only tried once when one of our old Spanish flat mates had made it.

Afterwards J and I popped into the Castle Tavern, for a couple of night caps. We had a pint each to start with of Happy Chappy from the Comarty Brewery, which went down a treat. It was quite packed, so we stood at the bar chatting to the barman, who was telling us how majority of the patrons there that night were tourists and he even told us he was going to have a ‘scoop*’ himself after work (meaning he was going to have a pint).

Then we got a second pint each of Scabber and got talking to a lovely couple from Penrith in the Lake District (not in NSW), who were only in Inverness for the night also. But because they were over 50, they had got the train, which had only cost them £20, each return.

After we finished our second beers, it was a quick walk from the pub and around the back to the hostel. Very handy indeed!

Day Two

After a good night sleep (the bed was really comfy) we waited to use the shower, as there was only one on the second floor, though I realised later on that the bathroom downstairs was huge and three shower cubicles. Silly me!

Then we ate our breakfast (courtesy of Tesco Metro’s reduced section) and got talking to an Austrian and Latvian girl who lived in Cornwall and were spending a few weeks break from university, to backpack around Scotland.

We made our lunch, left our suitcase and headed out. I think what I like a lot about Inverness was all the street signs had a Gaelic translation, it just made you feel that you were in fact in a different country where they can speak a different language.

Not knowing exactly where to go we went to the Tourist Information Centre and asked a girl for her advice on what to see and do, since we only had until just after lunch and it was a Sunday, it left for little opportunity, as there is not a lot of buses running on a Sunday to take us outside the town.

She told us to go to the cemetery, in the Old High Church yard, about 10-minutes walk away, or go to the Culloden Battlefield, but to get to the latter we would have to get a taxi and then pay to get in as well, so we opted for the former.

We walked to the cemetery; the lady at the tourist office said it was a interesting and historical sight as a few of the tombstones were embedded with bullet holes, left by the Jacobites and you can see where executions of some had been carried out. The west bell tower is mostly what is left of the medieval St. Mary’s Church of Inverness, which became a prison for Jacobites after the Culloden.

The cemetery at the Old High Church

We had been walking around the cemetery for a few minutes when it started hailing/sleeting, it was coming down hard, so we went back towards the main strip, stopping at So Coco, a café, where we had macarons and ‘luxurious’ hot chocolates, which helped warm us up.

After that we decided to start walking to Merkinch Nature Reserve – which took about 20 minutes or so from town, we walked along the sea wall, looking out to Moray Firth; we even saw bunnies in the brushes and then we came to the Caledonian Canal.

Moray Firth

J was mesmerised by the feat of engineering* that it is – it runs between the Great Glen – a geological fault line that runs for 100kms east to west. After walking across the canal lock to the to the other side we ate our lunch, where we watched a group of adult swans and their cygnets. We were eating peacefully until one of the cygnet decided to get friendly, jumping out of the water and spooking us.

A canal lock on the Caledonian Canal

The cygnet who was being a bit cheeky

Walking along the canal we passed the ‘Titanic’ Museum – the Titanic Inverness Maritime Museum - a museum this guy had built in the back of his house with a 1:10 scale model of the maiden ship. After some urging from J, we walked through the back yard, resembling a collection of boats, even R2-D2 from Star Wars, with it all resembling, well a junk yard, though there were some awesome boats and even a mini submersible. Then we came to the actual museum part; we were greeted by who we think was this man’s son, after giving a donation (it was free to enter) we walked around the vast collection of movie posters, maritime objects and even a speed boat-simulation game, before we left. Those it was a bit ‘odd’ you could see this man had a passion and he was working hard to turn his dream into a reality.

He even asked if we wanted a cuppa at the little café set-up he had made inside the Titanic replica before we left. It is definitely worth the visit.

The 1:10 scale model of the Titanic

Welcome to the Titanic Inverness Maritime Museum

We then continued our walk along the canal, back through town, back over Ness Bridge and back to the hostel. Where we collected our suitcase and walked to the bus station.

On the way home we even saw deer, wandering around the snowy hills of the highlands.

I think Inverness was a great town, it is definitely the 'gateway' to the highlands. If we have another chance to go there, I'd definitely like to see Culloden Battlefield and we were thinking we would like to go up to the Orkneys from there as well. 

Inverness

*Inverness Castle was completely different to the Edinburgh Castle, it was newer, since the previous castle was destroyed by the Jacobite rebellion and it is now the Inverness Court House.

*There probably wasn’t that many, but I lost count due to my dizziness caused by J shaking every single one.

*Probably shouldn’t give the name out for legal reasons, but it’s a great shoe store, you should check it out.

*From the store I can’t tell you the name of!

* We spotted a bunny in the garden next to the pub as we were walking in.

* He has been a little obsessed of late with watching the More4 programme - Great Canal Journeys – a four-part series about Prunella Scales (you may remember her from Faulty Towers) and her husband Timothy West.  

Now this weekend, we're off to Pitlochry for two nights. We're hopefully going to go to a whisky distillery and we might even go salmon fishing. Who knows! I'll post about that next week. Until then, drink lots x

My latest WOW 24/7 contribution...

So here is the link to my latest contribution to the What's On Where 24/7 website; a guide to Stockbridge. Probably one of the loveliest areas in Edinburgh and definitely a place that is worth the 10-minute walk down from Princes Street. So read up about all the great shops, cafes and restaurants here...

http://www.wow247.co.uk/blog/2014/03/31/neighbourhood-guide-stockbridge-edinburgh/

And I'm very sorry to all of those who have been reading the blog of late, about the late 'weekly' post that was meant for last week. I have been extremely busy with work and other things and my computer has been buggering up when it comes to uploading photos etc. I know it's a totally 'dog ate my homework' excuse but....sorry. It will definitely be up tomorrow and hopefully it was worth the wait!

x Morgan

Living like a local in Edinburgh

I’ve now lived here with my love since September 2012 and sadly we will be leaving in August this year (due to J’s visa stint ending), but I know in my heart that we will one day return to this beautiful city – whether it is to live or just for a holiday. Though I will always hold this city in a special place in my heart, because for a lot of reasons it does feel like home.

Anyway, I’m getting carried away…I wanted to let you in on a secret, well not much of one, because if you were to ask me I’d blurt it out, I wanted to tell you about my favourite local places and businesses that have made me feel at home and of course like a local. Just in case you ever visit Edinburgh.

Most of my favourite places are based on the south side of the city, due to having moved to Bruntsfield when we first arrived and because now we’re living in Marchmont.

Well the most important one of all is a coffee shop where you can get your morning coffee on the way to work, especially if you’re a coffee addict and/or you are Australian/New Zealand, because we like our coffee and we know our stuff. I don’t care who knows, I am a coffee snob.

So for coffee; it was the first place I went to where not only I could taste the coffee without burning my tongue instantly, but actually enjoy it, and often leaving me to go back for a second cup, was Castello Coffee Co. A wee coffee shop on Castle Street (handy since I worked just around the corner), where you can enjoy friendly banter with the lovely bearded baristas*, eat locally made cakes, homemade sandwiches and soups and where they handle the morning rush hour like pro’s. And of course you can enjoy delicious Allpress coffee, made to perfection. And if you buy a keep cup and re-use it, the owner Sandro will knock 10 pence off the price.  Follow them on Instagram to keep up to date on what the soup of the day is.

For some me time; If you’re a woman, then you have needs, beauty needs of course, especially if you have been travelling prior to coming here, you’ll probably need a wax or manicure or something along those lines. The first beauticians that I found after first getting here was Frenchy’s Beauty Boutique on Bruntsfield Place; and I’ve kept going there, I have even spoiled myself with a couple of back massages (which were so lovely and relaxing). The thing with me is, I’m a one beautician, one hairdresser type of girl, because I like them knowing what I like and its sometimes like going to a therapist and Vicky (the owner), Hayley and Nicole made me feel welcome straight away. To see what treatments they do or to get prices, check out their website www.frenchysbeautyboutique.co.uk and follow them on Facebook. Or if you’ve just arrived, then call them on 01312288333 to get taken care of straight away.

Now for the best hairdresser in town; Inspire Hair & Beauty Salons – located just down the road on Bruntsfield Place. I found this lovely salon six months after I arrived and my hair was a mane, since it had not been cut for that long. I was desperate and not just for a haircut, but to find a place in Edinburgh, which would just give me just that, a haircut. They wouldn’t try to sell me products or suggest that a few blonde streaks would give my (natural) hair colour the extra tinge, because I like my hair the way it is. And I needed someone who understood that, so low and behold Eileen, the manager at Inspire. You are welcomed, offered tea and your hair is washed, cut and blow-dried or steamed*. All while you’re enjoying a great conversation with Eileen.

To let my hair down; my hands down favourite pub in Edinburgh is the Golf Tavern, and not just because it is only down the road from my house, though that is a great reason, but they cover the main activities that you need at a local; beer (very important factor), sport on TV, live music, pub quizzes, movie nights and in summer you can rent out golf clubs and play golf on Bruntsfield Links. I think the best time to go and have a pint, is definitely on a Friday night when they have a local live band. I’ve had a few great couple of drunken nights there. Keep up to date on their website; for themed nights, meal deals and what’s playing on Movie Mondays.

Then for maybe a more relaxing happy hour; I go down the road every so often to the Earl of Marchmont; because they serve these delicious £5.50 cocktails. It’s a smaller pub, and give a more, cosy ambience. And man those gin cocktails are good. The Gin Bramble (chambord, gin and fresh lemon) is especially delicious.

For a girly chat or gossip; or to catch-up with girlfriends or to go an write and have some time out by myself I go to Lovecrumbs, in West Port and right next to the ‘pubic triangle*.’ It is cakes galore here and it is one of the top places to come for cake and tea in Edinburgh, trust me I included it on my list of top patisseries in Edinburgh for www.wow247.co.uk. My favourite cakes have to be any of their peanut butter batches or something with lavender or rose in the ingredients. You can follow the Lady Bakers on Instagram (@hellolovecrumbs) for the latest on what they’re baking.

To do a pub quiz; I go to one at Auld Hoose, on St. Leonards Street, a pub quiz that’s been running for 10 years. Our friends and J and I attend as ‘Quizasaurus Rex,’ and we’ve never won a round. Usually, we get a top score for the music round, but that’s not much of a team effort, more the effort of one of my friends who is musically gifted. And Auld Hoose makes the best nachos in Edinburgh, big enough for three people to devour.

Now where to shop; because I love books, I love Analogue Books, not only do they stock Frankie Magazine (my fave Australian magazine) but they have lead me to find my favourite European magazine; the lovely Lula Magazine. They are also full to the brim of inspiring zines. You can follow the bookshop on Twitter(@analoguebooks), quite handy if they have any authors guest speaking.

One of my other favourite places not far away, on Victoria Street is the Red Door Gallery, full of beautifully designed and handcrafted gifts, jewellery, prints and cards. You can also shop on their online store.

Another gift shop I like to go to is Paper Tiger, for cards, notebooks and all sorts on Lothian Road, not far away from Princes Street.

For flowers; if you’re a lucky woman who does receive the odd bunch for special occasions or because he has done something wrong, then Rose & Ammi on Gillespie Crescent is a great place to get a pot of gorgeous flowers or a bunch. I loved walking passed there fascinated by all the teeny pots of forget-me-nots that eventually my hints got through, and I got a pot for my birthday*.

Now for the best Indian in Edinburgh; go to Tuk Tuk: Indian Street Food, on Leven Street. I went there just a couple of days after they had just opened the restaurant and I have enjoyed it every time I’ve been since. The young owners and staff have made Indian food trendy and cool. The floor plan itself has a cool, rustic warehouse vibe and the food is just awesome. The idea is to order two to four dishes per person, similar to if you were to have tapas, and get a taste of a few different curries.

For Sunday brunch; either Freemans, handily located just around the corner from me, on Spottiswoode Road. My favourite has to be the ‘avocado on toast,’ something that is very hard to come by in the UK for a breakfast option. And it’s seasoned oh so well.

Then there is Project Coffee on Bruntsfield place for a big breakfast, for those days where you’re probably wearing your sunglasses*, when it’s not even that sunny out. We usually get the ‘project’ breakfast; which include Scotland’s most popular speciality; haggis. They also do freshly squeezed OJ.

To market I go; to the Stockbridge Market, mainly because I like to go there to eat. There is a stall where you can buy the most al dente homemade basil and pesto pasta. And we never leave without a jar of marinated garlic from the Olive Stall.  

For some fresh air; I love going for walks up Blackford Hill, we usually go with our flatmates – it is almost a flat tradition – as we usually go for a walk up there most Sundays together. It’s a great place to take in the whole city; with seeing sights as far away as…well I don’t know what those mountains in the distance are, but they are majestic never the less, especially when they are snow-capped.

The views from Blackford Hill on a picturesque Sunday morning walk.

That doesn’t conclude my favourite places in Edinburgh; but it highlights the top-of-the-top places that I have I found and loved instantly and made me feel at home here. I hope you enjoy them as well. I’d love to know what your favourite local haunts as well...

*Not all of them have beards, only because they just hired a beard-friendly lady, though she makes up for it in awesomeness and she obviously has a beard in spirit.

* New to me, but getting my hair ‘steamed’ was so much kinder to my locks than getting it straightened.

* If anyone gives you directions to the 'pubic triangle' - they are referring to the place in West Port, where three strippers meet, and in the road in the centre resembles just that. 

*Sadly my beautiful flowers didn’t last me long, not because I forgot to water them by I ‘forget-me-not’ to take them off our window ledge and the horrible Edinburgh winds blew them three floors down.

*You’re wearing your sunglasses because you have the most heinous hangover that not even Irn-bru can fix; you need eggs and haggis as well.