Anybody who knows me, knows I’m not outdoorsy. I love nature: the sun, grass between the toesies, beautiful flowers — love that part of nature. I’m less cool with the bugs and the rain and the hard ground, and the peeing in the woods. I can do it, but I’ll be grumpy. I’ve been camping with some great people, and have had a lot of fun, but if I had to choose I would make my s’mores around the campfire and then hightail it to the nearest hotel for the night.
Reason #57 for Why I Love Scotland. Just because you might not think of yourself as outdoorsy doesn’t mean you can’t go hillwalking. You don’t even have to wear proper attire. No one will look at you sideways if you try to scamper up a rainy steep hill in ballet flats (okay, I looked askance at a girl who was doing that — mainly because I was jealous I was wearing big ole hiking boots). Everyone here is “outdoorsy” without being outdoorsy. Little kids, grannies, everyone walks up and down hills. hills that Atlanta Lar would have called mountains.
Hills are unavoidable here, so that might be one reason. But you could skirt around most of them if you tried. Not for these hard walking peeps. They make hillwalking a national pastime. And you can do it with such ease even if you are city slicker.
For instance, this gorgeous dead volcanic mass called Arthur’s Seat is located smack dab in the middle of Edinburgh. Matt and I climbed it our first weekend in town. We waited toward the top for the clouds to clear and — wowza!– gorgeous views of the city for miles and miles.
I’m terribly out of shape (I get out of breath walking up a hill to our local grocery store here), but it’s okay. Here’s another tradition I love about hillwalking. Afterward you reward yourself with a nice strong cuppa and a biscuit (i.e. cookie).
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Dear Kitcath,
Remember when we climbed Arthur’s Seat our first day in Edinburgh? I kind of think that’s when we first fell in love with Edi, don’t you? I so wish I could relive that first day with you! I think it’s so funny that mom was so worried about us studying abroad in Spain and falling in love with a Spanish man. Little did she know we would fall with a Scottish. city. Love at first sight, I’d say.
I miss you so much! I’ll have real internets tomorrow (knock wood) – so we can video chat again! YIPPEEEE!!!
LOVE,
Larbar
I’ve done that! I’ve climbed Arthur’s Seat! Man, I really do miss Scotland .
Looks beautiful up there! Funnily enough, I’m part Scottish and have never been to the Motherland. hmmm. one day.
~F
I am definitely NOT outdoorsy. I don’t mind the bugs (ok, maybe I do) I just don’t like humidity and sweat. Or too much light. hahah. I love these photos, Lar! Your jumping photo made me smile! Everything looks so cold and cloudy, perfect weather to go out and walk about and then get a cuppa afterwards!
ps. when I first moved to the States, I would always ask for a biscuit for a snack. People thought I wanted the kind you eat with gravy. They’re cookies!
Do I spy some ruins down there??? I need to see more of the hills, Lar? I’m craving for it.
Do they call biscuits, “bickies” up there in Scotland? My great aunt in law in Northampton calls them bickies. So cute.
I’m glad you’re finding more of the outdoorsy type in yourself. I know I don’t look like I am, but I am more outdoorsy than anyone would assume. I used to trail run. peeing in the woods comes pretty natural. LOL. Maybe it’s because I’m Filipino, and my people did it for thousands of years. LOLOL.
Love these photos, my darlin’!
PS> We got a house in Oahu! http://www.nateandmae.com! Checkit!
xx{ish.},
Mae Lu @ thereafterish.!
PS. if you ever write about more places that are supposedly linked to Arthurian legend, please do post! I love the old Arthur stories.
Hi Mae! I’ll try to definitely look out for them! And that’s what is so misleading, or possibly misleading, about Arthur’s Seat. There is speculation that it could be named for the Arthurian legend(s), but more than likely it was a bastardization of a gaelic or old scots word for Mountain of Arrows/Archer Mountain. Interesting, but a little disappointing!
wow! beautiful views!!! i’m not an outdoorsy person either. not.at.all. but i think i’d even try this hike 🙂
Larbar,
I remember walking Arthur’s Seat like it was yesterday! I’m sure I wouldn’t even make it half way up today. I still think that first day together in Ediburgh was so magical. I can’t wait to finally be in our beloved city together this December – woohoo!
love, kitcath
I don’t really consider myself an outdoorsy person either in terms of hiking and camping, but I would try to make more of an effort for hiking because of those beautiful views.
That sight looks amazing.and the treat that came afterward. I would LOVE to go to Scotland sometime! Bucket list maybe!
Haha that kind of reminds me of China when I’d be climbing a mountain in my ugliest sneakers, only to be passed by a granny in stilletos who never breaks a sweat. Your new home is so misty and beautiful! It is kind of reminding me of how I imagined Wuthering Heights 😉
wow this is stunningly gorgeous. You did not seriously attempt to climb one of them hills in a ballet flats did you? I agree, the best after any hike is the goodies you get after.
Pretty much everyone here on the westcoast of Canada is outdoorsy, myself included, although I do draw the line at camping more than a few nights. Hubby is trying to convince me though.