I love Scotland.

  

Like my title says “I love Scotland.” And trust me I really do!

After a 15 minute drive from my house in Glasgow and an hours hike up a hill I’m met with a beauty of a view like this. A foggy Scottish morning led to me watching the fog rolling over the top of the hills and disappearing while the sun struggled to try and break its way through.

Why would I want to live anywhere else with views like this only a short drive away from me?

Most people don’t realise how beautiful their own counties are at times but trust me I do. I’ve grown up visiting the Scottish Highlands, wether it be:

• Heading up to Glen Coe or Glen She or the Cairngorms (to name a few) to get my skis on and hit the fresh white snow covering the slopes.
• Canoeing along the shores of Loch Lomond trying my hardest not to capsize and end up in the freezing water below me but always finding myself in it anyway.
• Going for a walk (well after you see these hills it’s certainly more like a hike) up some hills like the Kilpatrick Hills and having a picnic beside Loch Humphrey.
• Camping with friends beside the loch, creating our own fire pit on the beach and having a drink while taking in the breathtaking views around us (not helped by the more than occasional downfall of rain we get but making the most of it anyway.)

I well and truly appreciate being Scottish and having the chance to see some of the beautiful places I have seen. 

I’ve been lucky enough to grow up with a Granda that took me to these places and taught me how to do many things, like he taught himself. My Granda used to go out hunting, he still does go fishing and hiking and camping. My Granda went up a mountain and taught himself to ski, he then taught my gran, his brother and his wife, my uncle, my dad and myself. Something of which I am so grateful for, barely know anyone that knows how to ski and it’s something I do and always have loved. Realistically I probably wouldn’t have had the chance to learn half the stuff I have if not for me being Scottish. So like I said..
I love Scotland.

#Indyref

It’s just after 2am on one of the most important days ever for Scotland. It’s so completely nerve wracking watching the television and waiting to see what the overall vote is towards independence.
So far we’ve had Clackmannanshire and Orkney Islands votes and they’ve both been No votes.. BUT, what people don’t seem to realise at this moment in time is that these two votes so far make up less than 2% of the overall vote.

People need to stop their hatred towards no voters, they’re not ‘shitebags’ or ‘scum’ or whatever else you want to call them. They’re voting for what they personally think will be best for this country, just like you! Everyone has their own opinions and let’s be honest, how can anyone say we will be better if we go independent? There’s no guarantee we will.

No matter what you voted yesterday and what the outcome is today, this is a day that will never be forgotten. I know I’m not the only one who actually feels sick at the thought of what is going to happen. I feel this is splitting the country more than uniting us. No voters aren’t wanting to speak out and say, ‘I voted no’ because apparently that’s you going against your country or you’re uneducated or whatever else. It’s ridiculous.

We, as scots need to stand united and accept whatever fate is coming to us. Together, as one country. Your vote is your vote and no-one can tell you you’ve voted wrong.

Whatever happens I know I’ve voted the way I’ve always wanted to and no matter the outcome I’m proud of my vote.

Today’s the day..

This post has absolutely nothing to do with travelling but I just have to do it..

Today’s the day that Scotland is going to vote for or against it’s own independence. It’s undoubtably one of the most important days ever but if I’m being honest I’m glad it’s here and nearly gone.
The past few weeks have just been full of arguments between people about their yes/no vote. People being called uneducated just because they’re voting something different from someone else. Everyone is voting on what they believe is best for Scotland and that’s what matters most. All I hope is that people take this opportunity and do vote, many people aren’t because they ‘can’t be arsed’ and that’s such a horrible attitude to have. This vote is going to affect us big time, it actually makes me so angry that people aren’t voting not because they are unsure what to, but just because they can’t be bothered. I think people forget we’re lucky enough to live in a democracy and actually have the privilege to vote, don’t waste it.

Vote! Yes or No, whichever YOU feel will benefit Scotland.

London, you’ve stolen my heart.. Again.

There’s just something about London that makes me fall in love with the city every time I go down, this weekend just gone wasn’t any different. I headed down on a sleeper bus on Saturday night to arrive the Sunday morning, which I did. Bright and early, I was in London on Sunday.. 6:45am to be precise to make it even better I couldn’t check into my hotel until 3pm and I forgot England has the Sunday trading law so shops don’t open until 12, definitely not what I needed.

Let’s just say, I went to Buckingham palace twice that day, just to waste some time. Also spent an hour in Primark on Oxford Street not even able to buy anything because from 11am you can only browse until 12. This was definitely the only downside. If I’m honest though, I love just wandering about London, I do it pretty much every time I go down. 

The whole reason I was down though, the main reason I always go to London, for a gig of course. I went to see The Midnight Beast in Dingwalls, Camden. First time in Camden and what a nightmare it was trying to find the venue, I headed in the wrong direction at first then luckily realised this, headed in the right direction then walked past the venue in the wrong direction again. It was definitely not my night! I did finally find it though and I had a good night, spent it beside the bar for a change, as usually I’m front row at gigs. It was a different atmosphere obviously but it was good, I really enjoyed it.

Unfortunately my London adventures didn’t go any further, I went back to the hotel that night and got the coach home the next day. If I’m honest though, I don’t care how long I’m down there for, I just love going down at all. Whether it be for an hour, a day or a week. I love every minute.

Currently contemplating going down this Saturday for the day as I’m now off work.. Oh temptation.