Queen of Everything

A Sparkling Escape to Épernay: Champagne, Vineyards and French Charm

What better way to celebrate a milestone birthday than with a few days in the heart of France’s Champagne region? That’s exactly what seven of us did when we headed to Épernay for a girls’ getaway filled with vineyard views, historic champagne houses, leisurely lunches and, naturally, plenty of champagne. Nestled among rolling vineyards and…

Eleanore, Edinburgh: A Delicious Pre-Theatre Dinner on Leith Walk

With tickets booked for a show at the Edinburgh Playhouse, a friend and I were looking for a restaurant near the Edinburgh Playhouse for dinner beforehand. Eleanore on Leith Walk seemed the obvious choice. I’d actually visited the site before when it was home to The Little Chartroom. Since then, The Little Chartroom has moved…

Monachyle Mhor: Luxury, Loch Views and Exceptional Food

I’ll admit, by the time we reached Monachyle Mhor I was beginning to wonder if the sat nav had finally given up on us. Tucked away at the end of a winding single-track road in Balquhidder Glen, this boutique hotel sits on the shores of Loch Voil, surrounded by mountains, water and not much else….

Local Adventures: Touring Belfast’s Crumlin Road Gaol

Becoming Tourists in Our Own City One evening, many moons ago, over far too many drinks, my friend and I realised there were still plenty of attractions in our own city that we had never properly explored. Naturally, we decided to create a list. Although we’re both originally from Belfast and now live elsewhere, we…

Lunch at The Silver Darling, Aberdeen: Seafood with Stunning Harbour Views

A few weeks ago, we spent a couple of hours in Aberdeen having a wander and a bit of a trip down memory lane, as one of us went to university there. We walked around the university, up Union Street and through the newly revamped Union Street Gardens, which is now a fantastic space. Our…

Walking the Water of Leith Walkway: Balerno to Leith via Dean Village and Stockbridge

Distance: 15.75 miles (12 miles to The Shore)Time: 5.5 hours walking timeDifficulty: Easy to ModerateStart Point: Balerno High SchoolFinish Point: The Shore, Leith (or Newhaven if you’re feeling energetic!) The Water of Leith Walkway has been on my walking list for years. Following Edinburgh’s longest river from Balerno all the way to The Shore in…

A Visit to Strathisla Distillery: History, Heritage and a Very Good Dram

We had friends visiting us from Ireland at our cottage in Speyside a few months ago. Despite living in the heart of Scotland’s whisky country, we’ve probably visited more distilleries as tourists than we have since buying the cottage! So, with visitors to entertain and the weather looking typically Scottish, a distillery tour seemed like…

Milan to Zermatt by Train: Bernina Express & Glacier Express

Discover how to travel from Milan to Zermatt by train via the Bernina Express and Glacier Express. A scenic Alps journey with tips, routes, and highlights.

Glasgow’s Hidden Gallery: Walking the Mural Trail

A colourful journey through the city’s street art, where history, culture, and creativity meet on every corner

mrDeanes, Belfast

We had a quick visit to Belfast the other weekend and found ourselves at a bit of a loose end, having completed all our errands much quicker than planned. So what did we do? Exactly what we always do — find somewhere for a last-minute dinner. A quick scan on OpenTable later, and we landed…