New Year in the Highlands
Hiking in the Pentlands
Weekend walks to Dean Village and the Water of Leith
Veggie burgers at Holy Cow!
Apologies that my photos are a little gloomy this month but it’s January in Scotland so, you know, accurate. I’ve been in Edinburgh for every weekend this month, which never happens the rest of the year. I kicked off 2017 in a cosy cottage in the Highlands, with a bunch of my best friends. If you’ve been reading for a while you might know that I’ve been planning my New Year’s retreat all year! It was everything I imagined it to be. The cottage was beautiful, nestled in-between Loch Tay and Aberfeldy. We had a home cooked dinner, played party games and indulged in unlimited champagne and home brew. New Year has the potential to be such a let down – everyone is trying too hard to have fun, all at the same time. Escaping from the city was a lot more restful and the physical space allowed me the head space to be more reflective on what I want from this year.
I had been dying for snow all winter and managed to miss the one day of snow in Edinburgh, so my friends and I drove out to the Pentlands (a hill range just outside of Edinburgh) in search of snow. We found it! It always amazes me how quick it is to drive out of Edinburgh and feel completely surrounded by countryside. We hiked to the top of one of the Pentland hills and admired the blanket of snow covering the Borders into the horizon. At one point I was freaking out because my feet started to stiffen from the cold, but I survived and rewarded myself with a bowl of chips at the pub at the other end. Escaping into nature is so important! Somehow I always forget this when I’m curled up in my warm flat.
Since Trainspotting 2 was coming out this month, I watched the first film on my new projector in my sitting room with a couple of friends. I’d forgotten how good it was! I recently saw the sequel at Dominion (why by the way, if you’re in Edinburgh, is the best cinema ever). I wouldn’t say it was a good film but there are many over indulgent shots of Edinburgh which made it a hit in my books. It’s worth a watch just for all the Scotland in the background!
My parents also spent a weekend in Edinburgh this month which was lovely as they haven’t had a trip up for ages. It was a very relaxing couple of days, with plenty of food and a long walk from Dean Village in the centre of Edinburgh along the Water of Leith to the shore. Looking back at my archives, I was at the Water of Leith last January and the January before that – I’m not sure what it is about this time of year that makes me want to stroll along the river? Overall though, this month has been dominated by work. I’ve been doing work events on weekends and there are so many enthusiastic new volunteers and exciting projects to work on at the moment! It’s all very positive and I’m so lucky to be working in something that I care about in an environment where I’m valued. I just need to make sure to look after myself and take breaks when I need to. I’ve been having baths most days and I even started back at yoga yesterday – all things which keep me calm amongst the busyness.
How was your January? Are you keeping up your New Year’s resolutions?
January 2016 / January 2015 / January 2014
These pictures are amazing! I really want to visit the Highlands since I’ve never been before
theemeralddove21.blogspot.co.uk
It’s really beautiful! The scenery is so dramatic and there are SO many less people there than in the rest of the UK
That must’ve been a refreshing trip! Glad you had fun in the simplest way: friends, fun and champagne. I agree that New Year’s always tend to be overhyped – in my uni days I always felt anxious when it rolled round because I never had any plans. Now that’s over with, I can finally kick back and relax. January was a mix of busy and very cold but fun – had a blast last weekend hosting Chinese New Year dinner with friends and games, and felt more productive and feeling more ‘confident’ at work
Cherie ❊ sinonym
So refreshing! Whilst I was out there I was thinking that I should spend a weekend every month in the highlands, just blogging, taking photos, writing, all the things I like to do but among beautiful countryside. I can’t afford that at the moment but perhaps one day! I bet Chinese New Year dinner was awesome, it sound like a lot of fun. And GO YOU for feeling confident at work! it’s so hard but how we feel at work really effects our sense of self I think.
Your January sounded great! Mine was really uneventful. You make me really want to visit Edinburgh. My family always flew into that city when they were visiting (My grandfather was from Fraserburgh) so I heard great things!
Haha, that’s the plan. Every time people come to visit I feel like the tourist board for Scotland, I’m like “look how great it is here and so you should probably move here right away!!”
Your photos are always so stunning! Love how gloomy they are, and so jealous I haven’t visited Edinburgh yet. Also thank you SO MUCH for reminding me of Trainspotting 2, I loved the first film and have been waiting so long for the second!
xo
Marta
http://www.paradiseplayground.net
Ahw, thank you! Haha this month has been so gloomy so my photos definitely reflect that. Let me know what you think of Trainspotting 2! xx
I’ve always been jealous of you all over the pond and your access to beautiful, lush scenery. Your photos look so rustic. I imagine the air is clean, crisp, and nice smelling where you were. I’ve yet to see Trainspotting 1!
The scenery is great but the weather is terrible! The air in the Highlands smells really nice though, you’re right
These pictures are beautiful! I’ve never been to Scotland before and it’s slowly creeping up my travel list!
xxo.
@ShantelRousseau
SIMPLYSHANTEL.COM
Thank you! You should definitely visit – it’s so beautiful x
Sounds like a really lovely and mostly relaxed month! I love how idyllic your NYE seemed. Makes me want to plan something similar. It just sounds so lovely! Happy February!
XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
After all the over indulgence of Christmas I feel like it’s only right to take things down a notch for NYE! I definitely needed the time away to recharge before going back to work, so I’m glad that I went away. I can’t wait to do it again next year! xx