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Mountain biking in the Lake District: the Kentmere '3 rivers' trail

By Paul Johnson on Jul 02, 2019 in Europe, Family Travel, Featured, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Many people visiting Cumbria and the English Lake District do so for the walking, and it is little wonder in a landscape that has inspired many famous artists, authors and poets over the generations. Peaks such as Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, Skiddaw and Coniston Old Man are all popular, as are many of the lower level

5 tried and tested travel accessories from my latest trip

By Paul Johnson on Sep 08, 2014 in Accessories, Clothing, Europe, Gadgets, Luggage, Regions, Road Travel, Speciality Travel, Travel Equipment, United Kingdom, Western Europe

On our mountain bike trip around the islands of Scotland this Summer, we had a great time exploring islands such as Eigg and Raasay, and staying at a number of luxury hotels and B&Bs along the way, all of which you’ll find detailed on the blog. We also had the opportunity to try out lots

Short stay: Kinloch Lodge, Sleat, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK

By Paul Johnson on Sep 08, 2014 in Accommodation, Europe, Family Travel, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Restaurants, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Owned by cookery writer Lady Claire MacDonald and home to the first Michelin star on Skye, Kinloch Lodge is easily accessible via both the Mallaig-Armadale ferry and the bridge across to Skye. Impressively voted one of the world’s best small hotels in CondéNast Traveller magazine, the entranceway to Kinloch Lodge is littered with some of

A day out with Skye Ghillie on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK

By Paul Johnson on Sep 07, 2014 in Adventure Travel, Europe, Family Travel, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe

We met Mitch Partridge, aka Syke Ghillie, in the car park outside Portree Tourist Information Centre, before heading out in his vehicle for an afternoon of foraging and fun. Mitch offers a respected ghillie service for the experienced angler, offering tuition for individuals and groups, but also turns his hand to other outdoor activities such

Short stay: Canowindra B&B, Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK

By Paul Johnson on Sep 07, 2014 in Accommodation, Bed & Breakfasts, Europe, Regions, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Run by Rick and Georgie de Boer (son-in-law and daughter to the owners of Peinmore House next door), Canowindra B&B lies on the outskirts of Portree on the Isle of Skye. This luxury bed and breakfast is overlooked by Ben Tianavaig with stunning views of the Cuillin mountain range to the south and the Old

Visiting the Isle of Raasay, Scotland, UK

By Paul Johnson on Sep 06, 2014 in Accommodation, Adventure Travel, Attractions, Cruises & Boat Travel, Europe, Family Travel, Going Out, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Just a short drive from Portree is the village of Sconser from where you can take the CalMac ferry, MV Coruisk, to the island of Raasay. Raasay is just 14 miles long and 4 miles wide, with a population of around 200 people. Taking her name from the freshwater Loch Coruisk on the Isle of

Short stay: Lochsie, Peinmore House, Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK

By Paul Johnson on Sep 04, 2014 in Accommodation, Bed & Breakfasts, Europe, Regions, United Kingdom, Vacation Rentals, Western Europe

Owned and very ably run by Don and Margaret Greer since 2007, Peinmore House is a beautifully kept B&B that can be found by following a signpost to the Braes on the outskirts of Portree. From this peaceful location, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Cuillins to the south and the distinctive Old Man

Visiting the Isle of Eigg, Scotland, UK

By Paul Johnson on Sep 03, 2014 in Attractions, Cruises & Boat Travel, Europe, Family Travel, Going Out, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe

We had looked into visiting the small isles of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna but, on studying the Calmac timetable more closely, realised that this wasn’t possible as a day visit from the mainland. Although the ferry operator does run a service to the islands from Mallaig, there is only 10 minutes or so between

Short stay: Arisaig House, Invernessshire, Scotland, UK

By Paul Johnson on Sep 03, 2014 in Accommodation, Bed & Breakfasts, Europe, Family Travel, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Arisaig House is very much a family operation (led by Peter and Sarah Winnington-Ingham), perfectly situated for exploring the West Highlands. From here, you can also easily reach the islands of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna, explore Knoydart, or venture north towards Skye. The house dates back to 1864 but was transformed in the 1930s.

A day out in North Argyll, Scotland, UK

By Paul Johnson on Sep 03, 2014 in Attractions, Europe, Family Travel, Going Out, Regions, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Whilst staying at the Isle of Eriska Hotel, we took the short journey to the Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary which occupies a stunning location on the banks of Loch Creran. There’s far more than just seals here – in addition to the seal rescue facility, there’s an aquarium, interactive touch pool, a wooded adventure play

Short stay: Isle of Eriska Hotel, Scotland, UK

By Paul Johnson on Sep 02, 2014 in Accommodation, Bars, Europe, Family Travel, Going Out, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Restaurants, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe

In 1973 Robin Buchanan-Smith, a Church of Scotland minister, bought the Isle of Eriska with his wife Sheena and, more than 40 years on, it remains in the family to this day, with elder son Beppo now at the helm and very much involved in the day-to-day running of the hotel. Over those four decades, the property

Cycling around Drumlanrig Castle and Country Estate near Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, UK

By Paul Johnson on Jul 22, 2014 in Attractions, Europe, Going Out, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Drumlanrig Castle and Country Estate is one of the historic seats belonging to the family of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, as well as being home to part of an internationally renowned art collection (Rembrandt’s Old Lady Reading and family portraits by artists such as Thomas Gainsborough, as well as landscapes by Paul Sandby

Short stay: Three Glens, Moniaive, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, UK

By Paul Johnson on Jul 22, 2014 in Accommodation, Bed & Breakfasts, Europe, Hotels, Regions, United Kingdom, Vacation Rentals, Western Europe

At the start of our mountain bike / island hop adventure in Scotland, we stayed at the Three Glens – an eco-getaway in unspoiled Dumfriesshire, overlooking the village of Moniaive and with beautiful 360-degree views of rolling green hills. This luxury eco house benefits from ground source and solar thermal heating, with an air heat

A family mountain biking trip in the Lake District, UK

By Paul Johnson on Jul 14, 2014 in Europe, Family Travel, Featured, Regions, Road Travel, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe

We’ll soon be going on an adventure, exploring some islands on the west coast of Scotland, with mountain bikes and the occasional luxury stay thrown in. It promises to be a great experience – if the weather holds, at least – and amazingly we’ve always tended to be rather lucky in that regard with our previous trips

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