Elizabeth's Kitchen Diary
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 Belgium 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 Belgian holiday It feels like an absolute age since I have cooked anything properly. It’s been nearly a month since …
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 …
Part two of two of my long bank holiday weekend bike ride to the most northerly tip of Britain. I had a very comfortable sleep in Windhouse Lodge, the gatehouse to Shetland’s most haunted house, built in 1707. There were no signs of any ghosts, unfortunately! If you haven’t read Part 1 of this series …
Part one of two of my long bank holiday weekend bike ride 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 – all part …
Yell’s most northerly beach. 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 kettle bells and Spiderman walks up the village hall you’re in. She’s doing some sort of bizarre fitness training …
A guest travel post by Ronan, aged 15. Every four years or so my school organizes a ski trip to Italy. This year I got to go. The overnight ferry ride from our island home to the UK mainland was a bit bumpy. One of my bunk mates had to do a tactical chunder in …
Planning an adventure of a lifetime and fundraising for the RNLI. Ok, it’s time for the big reveal! For the last few months I’ve been hinting at something big in the pipeline. 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 for some coastal …
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 is followed by singing The Norseman’s Home, a dramatic burning of the galley and then an all-night party in the local halls. The …
While listening to BBC Radio 2 over my morning cup(s) of coffee I am listening to stories of flooding in the Lake District, and how, despite the weather, people are being encouraged to visit the area (where it is safe, of course) and enjoy its natural beauty. We had the pleasure of visiting the Lake …
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 …
The Ptarmigan – Scotland’s highest restaurant at 1090 metres. Situated in the top station on Cairn Gorm Mountain, in the most unexpected of places, you’ll find Scotland’s highest restaurant – The Ptarmigan. At 1090 metres/ 3500 feet above sea level it’s no problem to access thanks to Scotland’s only Funicular Railway – a train carriage …
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.
