“In a simple and a peaceful cottage with a beautiful view, you will not be dreaming about the palaces or the heaven, because you already have a perfect thing!” — Mehmet Murat ildan The old weather-beaten red-shingled cottage on Kelsey Island holds fond memories as a destination for childhood picnics and lazy summers by the … More Memories
“The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder.” — Ralph W. Sockman On this particular day, as we dropped down to the coastline, we spotted the ‘Small Isles’ of Rùm, Eigg and Muck, part of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Muck, the smallest of the four main islands of this archipelago … More Isles and miles
“I’ve always felt that distant train whistles heard in the dead of night are the universe’s way of letting us know the best days are neither ahead nor behind us…they’re happening right now, cradled in the palms of our hands.” — Dave Matthes First class seats on the restored Jacobite Steam Train are enjoyed with … More Best days
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in…where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.” — John Muir A view of the Jacobite steam train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct gave us pause on our way to the infamous Glencoe area. Faced by the majestic Three Sisters … More Wilderness
Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” — Dalai Lama A popular tourist attraction, the Jacobite steam locomotive-hauled train follows the same route through the West Highland region of Scotland as shown in the Harry Potter films. The longest staircase lock in Britain, Neptune’s Staircase lifts boats 64’ through a series of eight … More Wanderlust
“Sometimes we need the fog to remind ourselves that all of life is not black and white.” — Jonathan Lockwood Huie Waiting for morning fog to clear before boarding ferry in Fort William, Oban, to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. Wee Scottish Lassie playing by water’s edge brought smiles to our faces. Lighthouse marks … More Morning fog
“The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep.” — Rumi Captivated by the rolling mist and reflections on the glass face of the lake, we traded in our coffee for cameras and were rewarded with the unveiling of a whole world refreshed and dressed purely in beauty. * … More Refreshed
“The Scottish Highlands are incredible. There seems to be magic and poetry everywhere.” — Caitriona Balfe Today we set off by train to Ballachulish, mesmerized along the way by shadows and light playing on mountains that loomed against the sky, and by lakes and lochs that brought relief to the land’s might, before succumbing … More Scottish charm
“In the past, people were born royal. Nowadays, royalty comes from what people do.” — Gianni Versace Edinburgh Castle has overshadowed the heart of Scotland for well over a thousand years. A place of military strength where royalty could safely reside, its ruins still stand on the volcanic Castle Rock. A symbolic and real … More Royalty
“Flowers seem intended for the solace of ordinary humanity.” — John Ruskin Also known as broom, thanks to its spiky and prickly spines, gorse has a more splendorous repute as reflected in the Scottish saying, “When gorse’s out of bloom, kissing’s out of season.” Few, however, pay much attention to such guidance, given the nearly … More Blanket of Solace
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 