DOUNE CASTLE IN STIRLING, SCOTLAND Famous for quite a few on-screen appearances, Doune Castle stands proud at the very edge of the Scottish Highlands. Ruined, yet still eerily beautiful, Doune Castle offers a true experience of the history of Scotland. Only an hour drive away from Edinburgh, the castle gives a taste of the Highlander … [Read more…]
A WEEKEND IN SUNNY STOCKHOLM It’s almost been three weeks since my trip to Stockholm, but only now I’ve managed to compile it into a post. I catched a deadly cold that stuck with me for almost two weeks with violent nosebleeds and overall incapability for the simplest of task. This week has been much … [Read more…]
LOCH LUBNAIG – A HIDDEN GEM Loch Lubnaig was definitely an important milestone in my life. To many, it’s just a pretty lake somewhere in Scotland. To me there was something more. There was something magical in the perfect stillness of the water, and the eerie fog of the early morning. It was almost like … [Read more…]
ARTHUR’S SEAT, EDINBURGH I have to admit, I’ve never climbed a mountain in my life . Better yet before breakfast. Mostly because there aren’t mountains in Finland. But that was exactly what we did with my friend whom I had met on the walking tour. Arthur’s Seat is located next to the Holyrood Palace (Queen’s … [Read more…]
MEDIEVAL TIMES IN RASEBORG In the Middle Ages, Finland was under the rule of Sweden. The Raseborg Castle is one of the eldest buildings from that time. It was first mentioned in historical texts all the way in 1378. That’s crazy! The castle had its peak in the 1400’s, but then was abandoned. They tried … [Read more…]
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND The National Museum of Scotland has to be one of the most curious museums I’ve visited so far. We went there straight from Greyfriars Kirkyard, which is right across the street. It had some very peculiar items, and I’d dare say most had nothing to do with Scotland. However, it is … [Read more…]
#FINLAND100 I should’ve posted this Suomi100-post yesterday (6th), but I wanted to include more pictures. Finland has now been independent for a century. A hundred years of freedom is an amazing achievement for such a small country. We have a great educational system, security, beautiful nature, one of the most difficult languages in the world … [Read more…]
HIDDEN GEM – GREYFRIARS KIRKYARD A pilgrimage destination for Potterheads, paradise for goths, a feast for tombstone tourists or taphophiles, and a place with a beautiful story for animal lovers. Greyfriars Kirkyard is really all of these things and probably more, serving as the finale of the Free Walking Tour of Edinburgh. It’s gloomy, but … [Read more…]
KEEP CALM & EAT HAGGIS Haggis. The one thing everyone knows about Scotland. Kind of like reindeer and Finland. I’d say most people outside Scotland aren’t particularly drawn to this dish of mutton and grains (usually oatmeal). I assume it’s because of the cooking method. Traditional haggis is cooked in a sheep’s stomach. Yup. Gross. In … [Read more…]
HOW TO FIND HIGH STREET HOSTEL During my stay in Edinburgh (read my first impression here), I stayed at the High Street Hostel. The hostel is very easy to find when arriving by bus. The bus drops you off at the final stop in the city centre. You are to head up the Cockburn Street … [Read more…]