Scotland, the beautiful 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Collection of scenes of Scotland 

I have never not enjoyed being in Scotland, and this most recent trip was no exception. The weather was wonderful and the sights were beautiful (see below!). In this tumultuous Brexit climate, an escape to the Highlands was in order. Scotland is a fascinating place for many reasons: it feels more wild and rugged and generally less crowded than its southern neighbour; it has an incredibly interesting history; and, lastly, is the home of my favourite biscuit: shortbread. While I've been to Scotland many times, I've only been to the Highlands once. It was lovely to go back again this summer and see it again. I've since read and seen all of the Outlander series, which made it even more fun! 

What was particularly interesting this visit was the stark contrast I felt between Scotland and England. For example, the quality of the roads in Scotland were markedly better practically the moment we crossed the border. Things seemed in better nick, generally. With the Brexit debates raging on and with the UK, at that time, set to leave Oct 31st, there was a certain atmosphere helped along by news on the radio, telly and newspaper headlines. It felt rather ominous, if I'm honest.

In order to ignore the cloud of debate, I put my head in the past, visiting historic places and the odd film location (e.g. Glenfinnan Viaduct which we see in Harry Potter [the Hogwarts Express scene]). It was wonderful to visit Culloden Moor, for example, and understand the sheer impossible odds the Scottish faced. I had a bit of an Outlander moment, too, when I found the remembrance stone for Clan Fraser.

The last time I was in Inverness I stayed at a small B&B where the owner made her own homemade shortbread for the guests. I enjoyed seeing 'the gateway to the Highlands' again this year (though I had to buy my own shortbread). It felt much bigger this time around - not quite the small town I remembered! It was great seeing Fort William again too. The trip between these two places is just stunning. Looked for Nessie again, but still no luck. ;-)

As it was summertime, there were loads of tourists everywhere, but it wasn't at all crowded like it can be in other places. It was
wonderfully relaxing to get away from it all, though there was not enough time as usual. I cannot wait to get back to Scotland for another visit with hopefully more time to take in all in.

An absent globetrotter in Aarhus

Beach and Aarhus skyline

I realised today that my last post here on the Globetrotting Guitarist was two years ago! While I have been absent, much has been happening ... life changes, (another) new country and city to explore, and back into education as a student rather than a teacher. My last year in Groningen went by all too quickly, and after nearly five years there, it was the longest I had 'settled down' for quite some time. Naturally, the globetrotting gene kicked in after such a lengthy stay in one place, and it was time to be off again!

Uni building in autumn

Currently, I'm to be found in Denmark, milling amongst young twenty-somethings (the likes of which I used to teach), trying my hand at being a student again. So far, so good! The transition was fine overall, though it did take some getting used to. Also, my first round of exams were particularly nerve-wracking. Some aspects that I found different, if not challenging, is that everything is much more digital-based than last time I was a student (I'm practically the only one taking notes in a notebook), and there is an emphasis on group work here, which is actually quite nice when working in a collaborative way. I'm enjoying learning again.

The decision to move was a relatively easy one for multiple reasons (family, education, adventure), but I do miss the Netherlands. It was one of the few places I felt somewhat at home, despite the odd language barrier now and then, and the mad cyclists. Denmark, too, has many cyclists, but they tend to follow the rules and stick very strictly to the numerous bicycle paths. I've ventured out a few times on my Batavus, but my new city of Aarhus happens to be one of the few hilly areas...After the flats of Cambridge and the Netherlands, I was NOT prepared for hills at all. This will be my goal for the coming (hopefully warmer) months.

So, things I like about my new city: it is very close to the sea - though I have lived by the seaside before, such as when I lived in Australia, I have never lived quite so close. The beach is a 6 minute drive away (15 minutes or so on the bike, once I get going with cycling...), and it is clean and beautiful. Another favourite beach to visit is a little further out of the city, but even more beautiful as it is close to the woods and has a view of the city as well as nearby islands; here one can visit Den uendelige bro (the never-ending bridge) and Moesgaard Strand (beach).

Den uendelige bro

Moesgaard Strand

Though it is close to beautiful nature, I also like that it is a city.  Having grown up in a small town, a city is still such a novelty to me, even though I've actually been living in cities for nearly 10 years.

There are shops everywhere, some open until late, plenty of public transport, libraries like the brand new Dokk 1, music events, and lots of places to eat. Aarhus doesn't have loads of museums, but the ones it does offer are quite spectacular. A favourite that I will be sure to visit again once it is warmer is the living museum, Den Gamle By (The Old Town).

Den Gamle By

For my next post, I will provide a proper review of the city, including more of my favourite aspects, and of course, talk about the Danish concept of hygge.