Memorable Days Out

Walking on the Ancient Volcano, Working in the Garden, Making Herbal Tea, and a Short Trip to Dundee

This morning started slowly, just the way I like my Saturdays—coffee in bed, finishing the last pages of The Beautiful Atlantic Waltz by Malachy Tallack, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I love those quiet moments when the weekend stretches ahead of you and there’s no fixed plan—just possibilities. That moment where you sip the last of your now-cold coffee and begin to loosely shape the day, always with one eye on the weather.

Since it turned out to be a bright and beautiful day, we made a spontaneous decision to go for a quick swim at Bain’s Beach—our first dip of the season. Cold, refreshing, and absolutely marvellous.

Later we’re heading north to Eshaness, one of my favourite places for a walk. It’s a dramatic, ancient volcanic landscape in Northmavine—rugged cliffs, crashing waves, and deep time underfoot. The walk can be as long or as short as you like, which makes it perfect for a meandering afternoon. I’ve made a big pot of curried cauliflower and leek soup and will pack some sandwiches for the outing.

There’s also some garden work waiting. It’s seed-sowing time, and today we’re planting potatoes. The second half of the polytunnel still needs to be cleared, and everything is waking up fast now—the strawberries are thriving, and I’ve just been admiring our young apple tree, a James Grieve, which is nearly ready to blossom. Last year it gave us just one apple—maybe this year, there’ll be more.

It’s a sentimental variety for me. My paternal grandfather used to grow James Grieve apples in his garden. I didn’t really get to know him—he passed away when I was only a year old—but I still feel a deep connection to him. I think my love for growing fruit and vegetables, and even my fondness for flowers, comes from him. It feels like a quiet legacy, passed on not through stories or time spent together, but through soil, seasons, and the joy of tending to growing things.

I’ve also started cutting and drying some herbs from the polytunnel—lemon balm and lemon thyme. The scent is heady but so refreshing, filling the kitchen with a bright, citrusy promise of warmer days. Later in the season, I’ll add sage, peppermint, lady’s mantle, elderflower, and come autumn, a handful of dried and crushed rose hips. I love making this herbal tea blend throughout the year, adding bits and pieces as the garden gives them, then sipping it through the winter and early spring. Each cup brings back the freshness of those garden days—the scent of earth, the warmth of sun, and the satisfaction of a day spent working with your hands.

A Short Trip to Dundee

On Thursday, we returned from a short trip to Dundee, which I thoroughly enjoyed. So, if you’re looking for a quick getaway in Scotland, Dundee would definitely be a place I recommend. The city is full of beautiful architecture, a fascinating maritime history, and is home to plenty of small cafes, restaurants, and lovely spots to explore on foot.

We didn’t have time to visit the Discovery, Captain Scott’s boat that sailed to Antarctica, but that’s certainly on the list for next time. We also hope to return to see the Unicorn, the third oldest ship in the world still in the water, which used to be a cadet sailing training ship and is also a very important part of Dundee’s history.

What really impressed me was seeing how so many of Dundee’s beautiful historic buildings are still in operation today. I didn’t know much about the city’s history before visiting, but walking the streets and taking in the magnificent architecture made me realise just how significant this, the fourth largest city in Scotland, truly was. It has a rich history of seafaring, jute-making, and, of course, it’s where marmalade originates. It’s definitely well worth a visit!

If you have a little extra time, I would also recommend taking a short hop over to Broughty Ferry—a charming Victorian seaside town with a beautiful beach and a high street full of local shops, including a baker, a cheesemonger, and a fishmonger selling locally made kippers. It has such a lovely, quaint feel to it.

While in Dundee, we visited the V&A and McManus Museum, both of which were absolutely brilliant. We also got lucky with the weather, enjoying two glorious days of sunshine!

Book notes:

If you’re looking for something thoughtful and lyrical to read, The Beautiful Atlantic Waltz by Malachy Tallack is a gentle, meditative novel with a strong sense of place. Set in Shetland, it weaves music, memory, and longing into a story that drifts like sea air. Perfect for slow mornings and quiet reflection. Or when planning your next Shetland adventure.

Another recent favourite of mine is Fair Isle: Lace, Lines and Letters by Peter Fjågesund and Borghild Telnes—a beautiful book filled with poems by Peter and stunning illustrations by Borghild. The illustrations, a blend of watercolour and ink, capture the essence of Fair Isle’s landscape, with motifs of lace woven into images of the earth, peat, and the natural world. I loved how the earthy tones of the drawings combined with the delicate lace patterns, creating an atmospheric and deeply rooted feeling of place. The artwork really brought the spirit of the island to life, making it a treasure for anyone who appreciates craft, culture, and storytelling through art.