Solo Travel Diaries: Scotland

Stirling, Glasgow, Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Crieff, Balloch, Falkirk, Dunfermline, Kilin, Aberfeldy ... slow travels ~1 month

Lilac Gladiolus - Unsplash | Div

I never thought I would visit Scotland, and I am grateful to my friend for the idea. I am so glad I am here to experience nature and greenery in the best way.

The train ride is highly recommended to get to Scotland from England. The LNER takes 5h+ from London to Edinburgh. And the views are scenic to say the least.

Among the cities and towns I have visited in Scotland, St. Andrews is my favorite, probably I am closer to the water and the vastness of the North Sea. I am a beach gal and it is the only place that can wash away my fears and tears. And I am at peace and my heart is full when I am in the water.

Sharing the discoveries and finds in each city from my lens…

Did you know?

• National animal - Unicorn

  

  

• National flower - Thistle

  

• Food - Scottish Haggis, Cullen Skink, Smoked Salmon

  

• Language - Gaelic
  I was surprised to see a different language on my way to Scotland at the train stations. And now I know that’s Gaelic.

  

  I am grateful and so happy to meet friends and team members in Stirling, Glasgow and Crieff - thank you for your lovingkindness and support. It was a pure delight to spend time with y’all.

Stirling

I couldn’t believe I finally got to meet my co-facilitator and dear friend in Stirling and spend a few days together. Ah the joy of catching up on all things life :) You know the feeling when you meet folks online and say someday we shall meet in person and when that comes true… bliss…

• The Japanese Garden, Cowden

  

  

  

  I smiled when I saw kintsugi - we have come a long way since 2021 and the book: A Broken Teacup.
  

• Stewart Woodland Village

  

  

• Stirling Castle

  

• Wallace Monument

  

• University of Stirling

  

• Loch Airthrie

  

  

  

• Coxburn Reservoir

  

• Dumyat Hill

  

• Flying Tiger

  

  Found the best solution for AA battery charging with a USB - brilliant. I love walking into a Flying Tiger in every city I can.

• Creative Stirling

  

• Tinkerbell Emporium

  

  Saw one of the Street stories of Stirling artworks around the city next to the Tinkerbell Emporium. I loved this emporium - so adorable and magical - the fairy dust sprinkled everywhere :)

• Rishi - South Indian (who would think I would find south indian in Stirling and looks like they just opened up a few months ago, lucky us) Loved my friend’s response to new dishes - dosa and malabar porotta that she had had before.

  

• Mama Mia - Italian (Tiramisu, Mussels, Pasta)

  

• Meraki - Chocolate Dip and Strawberry

  

and guess what - I finally got my Allbirds Tree Runners dreamy green (a month late for my birthday gift to self) - clearly it was time to let go of the old one - thank you Allbirds clarity blue for being a great one. The only shoe in my travels - I can walk for hours with these shoes.

Allbirds - Old n New

Glasgow

One week stay in Glasgow to get around Scotland was a good choice to explore parts of the west and east of scotland as trains are 1 hour+, depending on where you want to go. You can walk around if you are near the city center. The west end is a cool neighborhood and has plenty of international food options.

Subway is a good option just within the city - a small loop of 15min I think. All day was 4.20 GBP. Most of our trains were from Glasgow Queens Street and just few from Glasgow Central.

• Glasgow Botanical Garden

  

  

  

  

• Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Park

  

  

• Riverside Museum, Tallship

  

  

• University of Glasgow

  

• Glasgow Cathedral

  

• Pollok Country Park

  

  
  Foodie Glastronomy :)
  (Glasgow meets Culinary Exploration)

  You could say our week in Glasgow was a culinary adventure around the world.
  

• Scotland - Mharsanta (Haggis cake, Black Pudding, Cullen Skink, Scottish smoked Salmon)

  

• Spain - Cafe Andaluz (Batata Bravas, Cod)

  

• Middle Eastern - Babylon Cafe (Mezze, Adani Kebab)

  

• Vietnam - Pho 79 (Pho, Pad See Ew)

  

• Korea - Kimchi Cult (Korean Fried Chicken, Bibimbap)

• Korea - Bing Su (Black Sesame, Peanut Mochi, Shaved Ice) The best soft mochi ever, now there is no going back. This was my first time having Bing Su. Loved it.

• Japan - Maki & Ramen (Okonomiyaki, Salmon Sushi)

  

• France - SF Patisserie (Sugar Fall) - Passion fruit, Mango and Coconut Mousse

  

• Portugal - Pastéis Lisboa - Rhubarb pastel de nata

  

• Taiwan - Xing Fu Tang - a good luck wish and Matcha souffle

  

• Thailand - Panang (Mango sticky rice, Lamb Panang curry)

  

  

• Italy - Sugo Pasta (Tiramisu, Pasta, Burrata)

  

  Did you know? Who knew chicken tikka masala has a story here in Glasgow.

  
  And enjoyed introducing my friend to Belvoir elderflower - the little joys of life :)

  

Edinburgh

• Edinburgh Castle

  

• Royal Botanic Gardens

  

  

  

• Princes Street Garden

  

• National Gallery of Scotland

  

• Scott Monument

  

• Calton Hill

  

  
  

• India - Mowgli (loved the swing seating - so cool)
  chicken 65, dahi puri, chicken roti wrap, tea

  

  

• Bibi’s Bakery (Scone, macaron)

  

  
  

St. Andrews

The train ride from Glasgow to St. Andrews was ~2h with a bus transfer at Leuchars and a train change at Haymarket. And that was when I first saw the bridges and knew I wanted to see it closer if feasible.

• St. Andrews Castle

  

• St. Andrews Cathedral

  

• West End and East End beaches

• St Andrews Botanical Garden

  

  

  

• Jannettas Gelateria - rose and chocolate, dulce de leche, elderflower sorbet and cocoa sorbet - so good!

  

  

• Tailend - fresh fish plaice and scallops

  

  
  

The Lochs / Lakes of Scotland

Loch Lomond

Luss

Birds of Prey

Balloch Castle Country Park

Loch Katrine

• Loch Katrine - Book a cruise
  

Loch Earn

The Bridges

Walking on the Forth Road Bridge was amazing until the rain downpour got me. I took the bus from Dunfermline to North Access bus stop, North Queensferry. And then explored South Queensferry with my friend.

And it’s cool to see the autonomous bus on the road.

Forth Bridge

Forth Road Bridge

Queensferry Crossing

Crieff

Super blessed by the generosity of my friend to host me at her home. Crieff is peaceful and charming with gardens and parks and rivers … and the highland views are stunning.

• River Earn, Macrosty Park, Lady Mary’s

  

  

  The Lady Mary’s walk is breathtaking - the trees by the river…

  

• Bennybeg - 15 min loop around the oat fields

  

• Drummond Castle Gardens

  

  The walk along the beech avenue is my favorite. So calming…

  

• Crieff Golf Club, The Knock - Hidden away amidst the golf club path is the knock and you can walk the path to Gilmerton. A few ruffles in the woods makes you wonder when you are by yourself, but all ok.

  

• Christmas Shop: Nutcracker

  The joy of christmas is in every corner of this shop. Amazing to feel alive.

  

  

  

• Crieff Hydro Tower

  

Falkirk

• Falkirk Wheel

  

• The Kelpies

  

• Forth and Clyde Canal Trail

  

• The Dunmore Pineapple

  

  

Dunfermline

Serendipity strikes again. I am visiting Andrew Carnegie’s hometown. Who knew?

And loved walking the Pittencrieff Park with the riverwalk, trails and gardens.

• Pittencrieff Park

  

  

  

  

• Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum
  Kudos to Andrew Carnegie for his love of books and for opening 2,800+ free public libraries around the world. Thank you!

  

• Dunfermline Carnegie Library - Carnegie’s first library opened in 1883. And learnt a bit about the vikings too.

  

• Abbey

  

A wonderful scenic drive loop via Loch Earn, Loch Tay, Kilin, Kenmore, Aberfeldy. Thanks to my dear friend for showing me around the highlands.

• Falls of Dockhart

  

• The Birks of Aberfeldy, Lower Birks

  

  

  

• Viaduct Glenfinnan

  

• Thyme Bistro

  

.. and I almost found the elderflower near the Macrosty park and river - hello meadowsweet! I am definitely on the lookout now.

and another Elderflower cordial for my breakfast with scottish oatmeal porridge( + ricotta cheese) and after dinner drink.

Other interesting finds during this trip:

• Tea - thistle, heather

  

• AA / AAA rechargeable battery with USB - Flying Tiger Copenhagen

  

• Washing laundry detergent sheets - eco friendly and perfect for travel

  

• Shampoo bar - another travel friend if needed

  

Scottish Highlands

Trust me, the photos don’t do justice to seeing the magnificence in real. And the heather flowers growing in the highlands - so pretty…

Friendship

Happiness is not a destination. It is a way of life.

Resources for day trips or exploration in Scotland :)

• Rabbies small group bus tour

  • www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-tours/from-glasgow/day-tours

  • www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-tours/from-glasgow/day-tours/loch-ness-glencoe-the-highlands-day-tour

• People Make Glasgow

  • https://peoplemakeglasgow.com/eat-drink/best-afternoon-tea-in-glasgow

  • https://peoplemakeglasgow.com/neighbourhoods

  • https://peoplemakeglasgow.com/inspire-me/glasgow-for-first-time-visitors

  • https://peoplemakeglasgow.com/see-do/shopping/weekend-markets

    Farmers market - www.citypropertymarkets.co.uk/markets/farmers/partick/

• Visit Scotland

  • www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/food-drink/top-experiences

  • www.thrillophilia.com/places-to-visit-near-glasgow

  • https://secretglasgow.com/day-trips-glasgow/

  • www.scotrail.co.uk/scotland-by-rail/destinations/enjoy-loch-lomond-by-train

• Google Map walks

  • Glasgow: Kelvingrove, University of Glasgow …https://maps.app.goo.gl/9rEPuY5g7zoMJvJX6

  • Edinburgh: Royal Mile, Castle, Botanic Gardens …https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZJco8LCvN2nLnmiJA

Truly love this quote in my friend’s home. A sign. Not sure where next, let’s see where the road / train / flight takes me next. Heading back to India for now..
Stay tuned.. One day at a time!

Live your dreams. Believe in yourself. Be Brave.