On some trips, there are some days where I want to cry over the fact that I don't own a car. Granted, I would need to get my license before I could get a car (on my to do list, don't you worry) and I don't think I could feasibly justify buying a car at the moment considering how excellent Edinburgh and the UK's public transport network is (which also helps save the planet...) but it doesn't stop those days from coming. The days where I want to kick and scream that I can't just pull over anywhere and take photos. Or rather, in this case, the days I can't just grab the wheel to the nine metre long coach I'm in and rip it off the road. Whoops.  

If you've been reading my blog for a while or have seen enough of my photos, you'll have noticed that I am very much into landscape photography. While I love exploring any new place, my heart is drawn to wild and untouched expanses of land (the kind that have been carved by natural elements for millions of years and that sound really corny to write about because they're so insanely indescribable - those ones). If you've seen that one bit in Skyfall, you'll have a taste of what the drive north was like. I so badly wanted to demand we pull over but alas, we had an itinerary to stick to.


Glencoe wasn't half bad though.


Half good, some might say.


The highlands are known for being atmospheric and dramatic which roughly translates as "bad weather" and "even more bad weather" so I was low-key anxious that the skies would open and drown all of the north.

But after the long drive from Edinburgh to Inverness, Urquhart Castle couldn't have looked better!


I have to admit, the weather was incredible for this entire trip.


So incredible that there was a RAINBOW!


Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous...


Urquhart Castle (that's pronounced ur-kut) is such an interesting place too. It was hugely important in controlling access to the highland lochs and waterways (the best and easiest way to travel because of all the mountains). It passed from clan to clan but eventually was blown up by William of Orange's soldiers in 1690 who wanted to prevent the castle from becoming a Jacobite stronghold. All that history to rubble...

The visitor's centre does a fantastic job of explaining the castle's history and I love that you can just roam the ruins.


Loch Ness was looking splendid as well. I learned on this trip that at its deepest point (239.5m) the loch is deeper than the North Sea and contains more freshwater than all the lakes in England and Wales combined. Insane.


It had been over a decade since I'd been to Loch Ness so it was great to be back on the shoreline and keep an eye out for Nessie!

The Highlands | Skye

I often think the Borders are overlooked when tourists come to Scotland. The region offers so many beautiful views and interesting sights but all of that is pushed to one side when everyone wants to see Edinburgh and Glasgow and then storm up the A82 to Loch Ness. And while I am in no way innocent of storming myself (more posts on that to follow!), it was lovely to take the road less travelled for a change. 

That's not to say this region gets no visitors whatsoever! The Scottish Borders are understandably overrun with historic locations where the English and Scottish fought in centuries gone by. If you're into history, it's paradise and every village has a story to tell. 

Melrose is a charming little town - so charming, in fact, my maternal grandparents honeymooned there - but its main attraction has always been its abbey.  


Its ruined abbey. 

Once a successful Cistercian monastery, it suffered heavily during the Reformation. This was a hugely transformative period for Scotland as the country shifted from Catholic to Presbyterian Christianity. As the country extricated itself from the concept of grandeur and treasures to become close to god, many impressive places of worship were damaged. 


Historic Scotland has done a great job of preserving what remains of it though! Despite missing most of its walls and ceilings, the abbey still has many carved decorative details, including saints, dragons, gargoyles and plants. A bunch of historic figures are also buried on the grounds and a lead container believed to hold the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce was found in 1921 below the Chapter House site. 


Mainly, it makes for a really fun place to photograph. 



And for those brave enough, you can climb the old spiral staircase to the top of the ruins and look out over what remains of the roof (and if I learnt anything from studying abroad, I am brave enough for heights!)


At the top there was a great view of the countryside and the atmospheric weather. By the time I got to Scott's View - the beloved location of Victorian writer Sir Walter Scott - towards the end of the day, the clouds had upgraded to dramatic and ominous. It's always much appreciated when forces conspire for a photo opportunity! 
There are good days and then there are bad days when all you want to do is play with kitties. Today wasn't one of those days but it didn't mean I was going pass up the chance to play with kitties!


Look, I am fully aware that the internet is full of cat pictures already and really doesn't need any more but I promise this is a genuine post. I didn't just see some cats and deem them blog-worthy. Actually, let me amend that, I would absolutely blog about random animals I see in my day to day life but I'm not sure I could successfully convince anyone that Mittens the cat is a wonder of the world (I probably could but let's not get into that right now)...

I'm pretty settled into Edinburgh now but when I was fresh to the city, this visit to Maison de Moggy was a wonderful way to explore some of the more popular areas. I'm counting this as a travel post because cat cafes are actually few and far between!


My day started out by discovering this utterly gorgeous shop called Museum Context on Victoria Street. I don't know if I've ever come across a shop so suited to me. Globes and maps and phrenology busts and typewriters and orreries and dinosaurs! Of course, every item costs an arm and a leg but that didn't stop me from dreaming. Maybe I'll save up some money and buy myself a trinket.

I think this day was the day I fell in love with the Grassmarket. Already an iconic part of Edinburgh with its ancient buildings and quaint stalls, I shouldn't have been surprised that this remains one of my favourite parts of the city but it was a gorgeous day to boot. And, you know, Maison de Moggy is right around the corner. What's not to love?

The cafe is set up with a set of two doors to prevent any kitty (or human) escaping in a way that reminded me a little of a decontamination unit on a space station. Once inside, we took of our shoes and went looking for kitties!


The cats have free roam of the cafe and can nap in hammocks, cat towers, on chairs and even in drawers! There were so many different toys to choose from and if a cat didn't want to play, they could get up high and away from humans.


Before our time slot, it had been nap time so everyone was a little sleepy still. Our visit quickly devolved into choosing our favourites...


Now, you're a sharp cookie. You may be thinking to yourself "but Emma! How can it be sanitary to have animals that use litter boxes in a cafe?!" Well, Sharp Cookie, the kitties have their own purpose built toilets with a super cute sign. They are also fenced off from the kitchen so everything is okay to eat too!


But the shop is not without its perils. Elodie, the sphynx cat, loves cake. And I mean, loves it. The staff warned us beforehand and said we should stand to eat it because she'd jump on us. And ohhhh did she. She had also learned to flip the metal covers off the little milk jugs for our tea. What a clever kitty.


Full disclosure: I did not like sphynx cats before I met Elodie. Or rather, I didn't like the idea of sphynx cats. I thought they would feel like petting skin and were relatives of Dobby the house elf. I was very wrong and I feel like I need to go forth into the world and spread the good news about this breed. Elodie was so soft! She has tiny peach fuzz all over her body and was so lively and affectionate. I've totally changed my tune.


When our hour was up, I left the cafe with the biggest smile on my face! Playing with kitties over afternoon tea - what more could you ask for on an August afternoon?! Maison de Moggy was perfect furrapy and I can't wait to go back!