It IS, though.
It's so easy to miss the natural beauty on our little island, or just assume that we can't 'do' scenery the way they do abroad. But we do. Actually, learning to drive a few years back made me realise how close you generally are to something pretty.
So obviously this post is about that time I drove for 10 hours to observe this prettiness. Yep.
Well, I say *I* - I actually mean my fabulous friend Russell, who transported us on a wonderland tour across the UK, a tour full of mix CDs, mystery crisps, good, bad and just plain ugly service stations - oh, and just generally going a bit weird. Hertfordshire to Oban is a long flipping way, you know.
As I mentioned on Friday, we embarked upon our tour to Scotland the weekend before last for Duncan and Matt's birthday celebrations. Duncan lives on Easdale, a tiny island off the coast near Oban - there are no roads, you can only get onto it by ferry (well, 'ferry' - this is their ferry) and only about 60 people live there. There was barely any phone signal - never mind 3G! But it was actually nice to be off-grid. And instead of phoning each other when we wanted to meet up, we just popped in-between each others' holiday cottages.
I had the best time. The BEST time. When we walked into the pub, we all got hugs (and I introduced the locals to my favourite drink, Morganaretto, which is not what I actually call it, but is a shot of Captain Morgans, a shot of Amaretto, and coke. YUUUUUM.) and worked our way through their vast selection of whisky (revelation: straight whisky tastes like varnish). We spent wonderful nights in cooking good food (I was mostly eating) and drinking boxes of wine and then spent the days walking around the island, taking in all that beauty, and skimming stones (or epically failing to, in my case). Oh, plus the party on Saturday night, which I have already established, was epic.
It's not for everyone - if you like everything to be clean and minimalist and modern, then it's probably not for you. I spent most of the trip in my wellies, but it certainly didn't feel like we were slumming it - our holiday cottages were cosy and it only took a few minutes to sail back to the mainland and the nearest town. Plus, you're surrounded with scenery like this.
Have I persuaded you yet?
P.S - All the best photos in this post were by Russell, who is way better at this than me.
P.P.S - More photos coming very shortly to my Facebook page!
This really makes me want to go away to the countryside now! I love Scotland too.
ReplyDeleteExcellent photos - looks as though you had a lovely rustic time!
ReplyDeleteAnd that tipple you mentioned? Right up my street. Totally trying that - Amaretto is on my bests list :-)
xx
I also have an english degree and I know exactly how you feel!
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures :) I do like a nice bit of scenery.
xx
http://wearenouvellevague.blogspot.com/
This really does look like the perfect getaway. Sometimes you need to be cut off from the rest of the world for a few days.
ReplyDeleteSophie
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Looks absolutely gorgeous! And perfect get away.
ReplyDeleteAlso how bright is your hair!
xx
ahhh... what a wonderful looking place. and how amazing is your coat?
ReplyDeletex
What a wonderful adventure! Thank you for sharing such wonderful pictures :)
ReplyDeleteR xx
Gorgeous photos :) I love seeing all the places you visit, thanks for sharing xo
ReplyDeleteWow. Simply breathtaking photos, Scotland is just so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMaria xxx
It looks absolutely stunning! I am definitely convinced, sign me up for the next holiday!
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