Author: Kirstin Uhlenbrock

After the Covid-19 pandemic we should all focus on the clima issues we are facing.

Quite some time ago we went to a Fife Council event on electric cars as taxis in Glenrothes. Back then the cars shown were not really practical due to the limited reach (mileage) and the time it took to recharge.

As my current vehicle happens to be an eight seater I did not engage further regarding the option of a electric alternative to my current Viano MPV. Not that long ago Mercedes started advertising an electric version of the Vito and I got all exited until I read the mileage 93. This even with a good infrastructure of charging points just does not seem enough.

I had obviously heard of Tesla but never considered them due to the lack of seats. However, they do produce the current Model X as seven seater and the new Model Y will also come as seven seaters. Also both of them do come with tow bars (Golfers I see you nodding).

My test vehicle was this beautiful, blue Model S3 today and driving it really blew my mind away. First and foremost the car is so silent, such a delight. The road handling even across Edinburgh’s potholed roads was amazing. The acceleration put my former Lotus Elise to shame and can be envied by most motorbikes. Even more amzing is the negative acceleration which again compares well with a motorbike.

The interior, storage capacity and screen are all very refined and the entire handling of the car is purely intuitive.

Bottomline I really did not want get back out (and back in my until now as comfortable considered Viano).

Both Model X & Y are currently not available and rather costly and even the two secondhand Model Xs were not cheap. However, both exceeded the 93 mile reach even five year old.

Now, let me ask you how would you feel if I could offer you a ride in a fully electric car?

I will go ahead and test drive some other electric vehile options and make a plan for the future….

After months on end in lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic mental health has come to the forefront of attention in society in general and life has still not returned back to normal and perhaps never will. Whether this is for the worse or the better remains to be seen.

Meanwhile booking holidays abroad remains risky and holidaying at home (here in the UK) might even add to your depression if you expect sunshine.

Getting away from it all is probably more important than ever but doing so seems equally more difficult than ever.

So if you need to opt for a staycation as at least it can be guaranteed to actually happen (Covid-19 permitting) what are your options?

I offer bespoke tours (currently up to six people of one household) all over Scotland from half a day to as many days as you like. I will take care of all your bookings (if you wish), all the planning and provide worry-free travelling.

I am obviously aware that this offer is not particularily special, BUT while you can just opt to visit popular visitor attractions you can also request something quite special.

I am a Scottish resident by choice and live here because Scotland is my dream.

I love the vastness of landscapes, the fairy-tale like character of many wee villages, the fact that places often relate to Gaelic and their names mean so much more. I love the friendliness of her people as much as the all evident story-telling. In some of the remoter places time has just stopped (and technology has not reached them). If you choose so you can go about not meeting anyone for days but if you do they will be friendly and in no way scary.

So Scotland heavily volunteers to connect with nature and go about life in a mindful manner, even if it does rain for days on end and the midges are after you.

During my tours I share with you my love for this country and equally all the places I have grown so fond of.

If mindfulness is something you would like to try you can pretty much literally go anywhere in Scotland.

All you need to do is open your eyes and take a deep breath. If you like more guidance I can assist you with yoga if you wish.

Contact

Most travellers will be required to test upon arrival at the airport in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen or Dundee . A further test is required five days later and can be done in the St Andrews Walk In Centre. From 8 am to to 2 pm you can walk to the centre and obtain a booking for the same day for a PCR test. After 3pm you can walk in and pick up up to two box of Lateral Flow Tests containing seven tests each. All of this is provided free of cahrge and should hopefully make it a lot easier to adhere to the applicable rules.

With the current Covid-19 restrictions gradually easing it is perhaps time to reflect on how our future staycations could be more than just a break from our routine.

A vacation in Scotland will most likely be more expensive than your packaged trip to the canary islands and sunshine, sadly, is not guaranteed either.

Scotland is my home of choice rather than birth the main reasons for this are:

-> Her people; the Scots are incredible nosy and welcoming

-> Scotland’s breathtaking beauty

-> The fact that you can escape from it all by a short walk or drive. Scotland is magic!

I would like to bring this magic to you by offering different alternatives so you can choose your very personal vacation.

It is common knowledge that Scotland is rich in history, beauty, castles, the home of golf and location of many movies and TV series. Beyond this Scotland and her people are authentic and equipped with a variety of lanscapes you will struggle to find elsewhere.

So, instead of rushing through the popular visitor attractions maybe you would like to explore and learn a bit more, make a connection to the land and her people and perhaps think regenerative tourism:

You can access off the beat, unusual attractions and learn how Scotland functions, based on her past, current population and future ambitions. I benefit as you pay me for my expertise but on top of that local people and businesses benefit because they are part of your (and mine) experience. Even if this is just a quirky farm, which sells out of a wee cottage: Pittormie Fruit Farm.

So for instance if you would like to engage in mindfulness and wellbeing I could offer my own services as I am a qualified yoga teacher and we could go and aim to have a wee yoga session on the beach or in the forestry.

But if you want to venture into geology and follow James Hutton’s footsteps I will probably book you onto a tour of Edinburgh with HARP Archaeology. If you want to spot whales I would get in touch with Steve from Sea-kayaking or the Basking Shark.

If you want to learn about social crofting , animal husbandry, forest bathing or crafting I recommend Darach Croft. I have several contacts for wild swimming and so the list goes on. Have you ever tried foraging? There are many local guides, such as:

Anna Canning, Flora Medica

Mark Williams, Galloway Wild Foods

The Centre of Stewartship in Falkland offers a variety of unusual experiences and education linking to land and people, history and wellbeing. You can of course also delve into history, golf, cricket, tennis and Outlander if you wish. Additionally, you may like to purchase their local produce or even enjoy a meal in the keeper’s flat of the palace.

Your accommodation can also contribute to greener tourism, for instance by booking the Glenuig Inn or enjoying a wee dram at Nc’Nean or Ardnamurchan Distillery

You can stroll through numerous Nature Reserves of Geo Parks, such as:

Lochaber Geopark

Arran Geopark

Speyside Wildlife

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere

North West Highlands Geopark

Your possibilities are really unlimited. Do get in touch if you want to know more:

Contact

We have been having some amazing sunny weather and as I am allowed to move around Fife I took the opportunity to stop at the local Adross Farm Shop and took the chance to take some shoots.

Sightseeing in Fife. Between St Monans & Elie & Earlsferry you can enjoy walking along the coastline using the stunningly beautiful Fife Coastal Path, which run all the way from Kincardine to Newburgh taking you along the First of Forth, next to the North Sea and

We have had a frosty spring where the overnight temperatures drop below zero most nights. However, this has brought a lot of sunshine. For now I may move around my local council area. So, let’s start with North Queenferry today:

North Queensferry was created by Saint Margaret (wife of Malcolm III) when she installed a ferry service between North and South Queensferry. The service ran for 800 years and only ceased when the Forth Road Bridge was complete in 1964. There are three bridges between the villages, the two road bridges were both opened by the current Queen Elisabeth and her late husband Prince Philip, the latest addition Queensferry Crossing in 2017. These bridges were span over three centuries. The Forth Rail Bridge is the oldest was completed in 1890 and was designed by Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker. The bridge contains 53.000 tons of steel and contains 6.5 million rivets. There is a say that tasks that take a while takes as long as painting the Forth Rail Bridge (though since the last refurbishment it is claimed the paint will last 25 years). This bridge was opened by the Duke of Rothesay who later became King Edward VII and in 2000 54.000 people and 10 million tons in freight. North Queensferry has has the smallest lighthouse dating back to 1813 (John Rennie) which is shown in this video. The pier was extended by Thomas Telford in 1828. Nowadays visitors can still board boats from here to explore the river and its islands.

Lockdown is still with us but meanwhile spring is out, the weather is beautiful and I will try to share what I may reach within my very own lockdown boundaries.

Come and see Robinson Crusoe’s birthplace: Lower Largo:

Lower Largo has at least one famous citizen: Alexander Selkirk who was the character who inspired Daniel Defoe to write Robinson Crusoe. There is even a hotel called the Crusoe (which is sadly for sale at present). This video shows the Robinson Cruseo statue and a drone shot over the village which like so many in Fife is a seriously old settlement. Besides stunning beaches and views the village is also home to the Lundin Links golf course, all featured in the video too.

If you want more information (virtual or some day soon in person) do get in touch:

Contact

We are finally approaching spring. There is more daylight, flowers begin to blossom and all in all Scotland is at her best. Sadly, we are stil amidst apandemic and may only move within our council areas. I personally cannot wait to be let free. Meanwhile I thought I would share the places I legally can visit. Today it is: North Queensferry.

North Queensferry was created by Saint Margaret (wife of Malcolm III) in 1068 when she installed a ferry service between North and South Queensferry. The service ran for 800 years and only ceased when the Forth Road Bridge was complete in 1964. There are three bridges between the villages, the two road bridges were both opened by the current Queen Elisabeth and her late husband Prince Philip, the latest addition Queensferry Crossing in 2017. These bridges were span over three centuries. The Forth Rail Bridge is the oldest was completed in 1890 and was designed by Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker. The bridge contains 53.000 tons of steel and contains 6.5 million rivets. There is a say that tasks that take a while takes as long as painting the Forth Rail Bridge (though since the last refurbishment it is claimed the paint will last 25 years). This bridge was opened by the Duke of Rothesay who later became King Edward VII and in 2000 54.000 people and 10 million tons in freight. North Queensferry has has the smallest lighthouse dating back to 1813 (John Rennie) which is shown in this video. The pier was extended by Thomas Telford in 1828. Nowadays visitors can still board boats from here to explore the river and its islands.

If you like more virtually or hopefully soon in person, please use the buttom below:

Contact

Tour guiding is obviously still not possible under current restrictions but at least the sun is out and we may travel within our council areas.

Yesterday has been a stunningly beautiful spring day. The images I took I would like to share with your here:

[metagallery id=1533]

Gradually, more and more businesses and attractions publish their re-opening.

We are not there yet but there are sure signs that some day in the not too distant future we will be able to offer tours all over Scotland again.

To be honest I cannot wait but would meanwhile provide some re-assurance that our vehicles and drivers are very cautious about Coivd-19 safe processes.

Threrefore our vehicles are fitted with protective screens and are cleaned after each use, both with desinfectant and UV sanitisers, which are also used on our credit card facilities. We operated a DEW air purifiers, hand sanitisers are available to our customers and are used by our drivers. Our drivers wear face mask and we can supply you with a face mask should you have forgotten you own.

The vehicles are all 8 seaters taxis which are currently operated as 6 seater for people from one household.

With all this in place we are very hopeful to provide safe, enjoyable tours all across Scotland in due course. Watch this space or start your journey by filling out this contact form to start planning you next trip!