cooking up a storm at the edge of the world
An epic bikepacking adventure through Scotland to the summit of Ben Nevis: Part 2 In June of 2016 I set off, with a friend, on an epic bikepacking fundraising cycle from Britain’s most northerly RNLI lifeboat station in Aith, on the west side of Shetland. Our destination: the summit of Ben Nevis. You can read …
An epic bikepacking adventure through Scotland to the summit of Ben Nevis: Part 1. In June of this year I embarked on the most grand adventure I have ever been on (so far). The reason? I’m turning 40 soon and I wanted to make my 40th year something memorable; something I could look back on …
Burra Ness Broch is an ancient archaeological site on the island of Yell in Shetland, Scotland. This Iron Age structure, known as a broch, is a type of drystone hollow-walled structure that is unique to Scotland. The broch at Burra Ness is situated on a promontory, offering stunning views of the surrounding sea and landscape. …
The Swan LK243 is a restored herring drifter built in 1900. This vessel was one of the finest built during the herring boom here in Shetland in the late 1800s. She’s survived two world wars and near destruction, found partially submerged in Hartlepool harbour in the 80s. The Swan Trust was set up in Shetland …
Discover the flavours of Sardinia with culurgiones: a traditional Sardinian pasta filled with delicious ingredients. Prep Time: 1.5 hours Cooking Time: 35 minutes Difficulty: Moderate A holiday in Sardinia Many, many years ago, I had the privilege of visiting the island of Sardinia on an all-expenses-paid whirlwind weekend trip. It was the car launch for …
In collaboration with P&O Ferries. First experience on a P&O Ferry My first ever experience on a P&O Ferry was in the Spring of 1999. I’d landed in Glasgow a few days beforehand via Iceland, with an Army Surplus rucksack on my back containing all my worldly possessions and just shy of £200 in traveller’s …
Embark on a mouthwatering journey through Brussels with our Belgian chocolate experience. Explore the birthplace of chocolate and taste the finest Belgian treats, in collaboration with P&O Ferries. It’s World Chocolate Day! This is the day we celebrate all things chocolate and wonderful, so let me take this opportunity to tell you about the Belgian …
Boulets à la Liégeoise are a traditional Belgian meatball recipe made with a mixture of pork and beef mince cooked in a delicious sauce. Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 45 minutes Difficulty: Moderate A holiday in Belgium It feels like an absolute age since I have cooked anything properly. It’s been nearly a month …
Five things you could see and do in Orkney in a day, or two, if you’re really slow cyclist* like me. (*Fast forward to 2021, when I cycled through Orkney again and left with quite a few of the Strava Queen of the Mountains!) I have lived in Shetland for nearly 18 years and never …
Embark on an exciting bike ride adventure to the most northerly tip of Britain. Join the journey to Unst, Britain’s most northerly inhabited island, through thick sea mist and ghostly gatehouses. Part two of my long bank holiday weekend bike ride to the most northerly tip of Britain. I slept comfortably in Windhouse Lodge, the …
Part one of two of my long bank holiday weekend bike ride through Yell, Shetland to the most northerly tip of Britain. Regular readers will, by now, be well aware that I am planning an epic 250-mile mountain bike cycle from my home on Shetland to Fort William, where I’ll be climbing Ben Nevis – …
Escape to the enchanting Sands of Breckon, one of Yell’s most picturesque and tranquil beaches. Nothing beats a beach day, really. Especially when you’re seven, and you’ve just spent the last hour sitting on a couch playing on your Mum’s iPad while she tosses battle ropes, swings kettlebells, and Spiderman walks up the village hall …
Planning an adventure of a lifetime and fundraising for the RNLI. Ok, it’s time for the big reveal! I’ve been hinting at something big in the pipeline for the last few months. Something I’ve been training for, something that means I’ve been consuming an extraordinary amount of protein, and subsequently, I’ve been sharing fewer cake …
I had one of those I love my life moments yesterday. That’s me standing on the edge of that cliff you see there. Taking advantage of the predicted fine weather and the long school holiday weekend, DD and I packed a packed lunch, gathered our provisions, and met up with a friend to do some …
Step into the ancient Norse world with Shetland’s Up Helly Aa. Witness the dramatic torchlit procession, galley burning and all-night revelry. Just imagine it – a grand replica Viking galley, a squad of big burly bearded axe-wielding men and a procession of nearly 1000 individuals with torches parading through the streets of Lerwick, Shetland. This …
Tarn Hows is a small mountain lake in the heart of the Lake District. There is a very well-maintained 1.5-mile path around the perimeter of the tarn, and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Lake District. While listening to BBC Radio 2 over my morning cup(s) of coffee I am …
I might have said this a few times, but there are very few trees in Shetland. We live on a wind-swept, saltwater-battered rock in the middle of the North Sea. There are a few little groups of trees here and there and one deciduous area which gives a tiny taste of what it feels like …
Cullen skink is a traditional Scottish soup made from smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions. Originating from the town of Cullen in Moray, Scotland, the dish’s distinct flavour comes from the use of smoked haddock, which imparts a rich, smoky taste to the creamy soup. It’s popular in Scottish cuisine, particularly in the colder months. Prep …
As Storm Abigail bashes and batters the outside of our house on this windy, wet, cold Shetland winter’s day, and the flickering lights mean the electricity is still holding on, I am daydreaming of warmer temperatures and the family adventures of times gone by.
Old Norse: feitiland – fat land, rich pasture Situated at the most northern tip of the Shetland mainland, Fethaland’s fertile soil has a long history of settlement. There is evidence of an Iron Age prehistoric round house or broch (there is some disagreement on this), the circular wall outlines of a Neolithic house and the …
