Running your own business can leave you brain dead at times. Some weekends you need to get away from a computer and enjoy the fresh air.
Conic Hill
Indie and I went on our annual walk up Conic Hill. Every year I wonder if she’s going to be able to manage it and every year she surprises me. She’s 13 but was acting very spritely. However, you can see from the last photo she was knackered afterwards.
Driftwood House
As part of Ayden and Pete’s elopement we rented a house in Arisaig called Driftwood. It overlooked Camusdarach Beach and was in the middle of nowhere. I can’t think of a more perfect weekend!
Eilidh and Chris’ Engagement
Let’s do an engagement shoot in Glencoe! In February! That was our plan until a weather warning was issued. It didn’t end up snowing, but it was wet and damp so we relocated our shoot to Luss.
Luss is a village on the bank of Loch Lomond. This area will look pretty even in the wind and rain. Eilidh and Chris braved the cold to get some beautiful shots of them before their wedding in May.
They were fun to photograph, so I’m looking forward to their wedding even more so now. Congrats, Chris and Eilidh.
A Fairytale Winter In Pitlochry
My sister and I stayed at Atholl Palace on Sunday. We were treated to a three course dinner, access to the spa and a full-Scottish breakfast. I think it set both of us up for the festive period. It was like a winter wonderland!
This was all booked through 5PM, which has a selection of deals for Christmas. My sister and I are going to book my mum and her partner an overnight stay as a Christmas present. Don’t worry, my mum doesn’t read this blog.
We explored the Atholl Palace grounds on Sunday when we arrived. It had been snowing and it was freezing, but we heated up afterwards in the hot tub. Then we relaxed with cocktails in the bar before dinner.
This morning we popped into the village, Pitlochry, and wandered around the boutique shops. There was a Christmas shop, so we bought my nephew The Elf on the Shelf.
I would definitely return to Atholl Palace, but I’d book two nights and take advantage of some of the popular walks. We were lucky with the weather. It stayed dry except from a light dusting of snow. Beautiful!
Sunday Morning Drive Through Inverness
After shooting a wedding in Inverness on Saturday, I awoke early on Sunday and enjoyed the drive from the Highlands to Glasgow. It doesn’t matter how often you drive this route, it’s always beautiful.
Friday Hike Up Conic Hill
Why haven’t I been to Conic Hill before?!
On Friday I finished work early and took Indie up Conic Hill. Correction; Indie pulled me up Conic Hill.
If you’ve been following along you may remember Indie had a cancerous tumour removed from her leg. There was a point this year I thought she may not be OK. I couldn’t have been more wrong. She still has a lot of pep!
Not bad for an 11 year old dog. We enjoyed the views together before spending the rest of the evening playing video games and eating takeaway. Perfect start to the weekend.
A Weekend Retreat To Inveraray
Every time I’ve driven past Loch Fyne Hotel and Spa, I’ve thought to myself I have to stay there. This weekend, Naomi and I spent three nights at Loch Fyne Hotel and Spa. We enjoyed good food, red wine, horror movies and a 90 minute massage. It was the most fun I’ve had in a long time and I’m a little disappointed to be back to reality!
Sunday in Stockbridge, Edinburgh
Sunday saw Kaitlin, Rab and I head to Stockbridge in Edinburgh. Stockbridge is fairly central yet feels like its own village. I’d love to live here, but property prices are sky high.
There’s a market that—even on a grey Sunday—was bustling with people and dogs. I had Steampunk coffee and drooled over the gyoza.
Afterwards we walked up Calton Hill. Despite being in Edinburgh a lot, I’ve never explored Calton Hill. It’s a hotspot for tourists because you have a view of the city.
10/10, would Edinburgh again.
150 Miles Of Scottish Scenery
Rab and I set our alarms for 5.30AM and met in Balloch at Loch Lomond. We waited at Luss for the sun to rise then proceeded to Glencoe, stopping off wherever the light or scenery felt right.
As a set these photos aren’t very cohesive, but it’s an accurate representation of the day. A peaceful sunrise with a hint of orange sky, followed by a washed out snowy, landscape, interspersed with strong gradients of the mountainous highlands. The light would change so suddenly, so dramatically.
As much as I love traveling (well, not the flying part), it’s fun, cheap and accessible to get outdoors in your own country and explore. Do it!
