Globe Corner Blogs

Lonely Planet Walking in Scotland

Fun fact: Alba is the Gaelic name for Scotland.

Sinking knee deep in mud once is an accident; sinking knee deep three times on the same trail is just ridiculous. It happened so swiftly and suddenly - the sinking, I mean – that I imagine the mud having similar properties to quicksand. This is not a useful thought to have when you’re alone in a remote glen in Scotland tuck up to your knees in mud, but it came to me nonetheless. Thankfully, there were some blades of grass for me to hold onto while I freed my legs from the sludge. Heavy rains from the previous evening, and continued drizzle throughout the day, made hiking on the Isle of Arran a sloppy affair. However, after a short time in Scotland, you learn not to wait for a sunny day if you want to get outside; you just pull on your waterproof gear and wellies and dive in! Care must be taken and then a day’s hike in these conditions – whether you summit a ridge or reach a lovely waterfall – makes one feel triumphant. And what better way to enjoy a dram of whisky or refreshing cup of tea with milk than to earn it! Continue Reading »

Frommer's Edinburgh & Glasgow

It’s a warm summer night in Edinburgh, and I just came in from a walk along the Royal Mile – the cobbled stretch of road in the Old Town that connects Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. The Fringe and International Music festivals are in full swing, and the city has a great energy to it. There are masses of people, but it’s not nearly as crazy as I anticipated. Tonight I was treated to an incredible performance by a band from Zimbabwe called Siyaya. Set up on a street corner, I heard their music a block away and joined the crowd of hip-swaying, arm-flailing tourists. Fancy that – I went out for a stroll and wound up dancing in the street. I love this city! Continue Reading »