Fantasy tram network for Inverness
An excruciatingly detailed walk-through of my imagined fantasy tram network for Inverness.
My views on Inverness
In which I get interviewed by the Inverness Courier for my views on what Inverness city centre needs.
True Highlands reviewed
A wee review of a new Highlands and Islands tourist information website: True Highlands.
Trouble brewing
In the light of the recent refusal of planning permission for a brewery in my home Inverness, I ask what wet weather options the city actually has. Very few, it seems. Yet things could be so much better…
Ding, ding!
In which I have a go on the long-awaited and controversial Edinburgh tram network. I mean tram line…
I still don’t like flying
In which I reflect on the large number of flights I’ve taken this year. And yes, I still prefer the train.
The East Coast Highland Chieftain: a review of First Class
All trains south from Inverness are Scotrail and terminate in either Glasgow or Edinburgh. They’re the ones I seem to spend most of my life on and around whose seats my spine has been contorted over the years. All except two, that is, which go to London. One is the Scotrail Caledonian Sleeper, which I’ve…
Bargain Berths and advertising standards
Bargain Berths no longer exist, and the sleeper is now in the hands of a different franchise. So all information you find on my website about the sleeper and the old Bargain Berth tickets is redundant so please ignore this post. Find information about the Caledonian Sleeper from the current company running it. You may…
Journey Genie: the travel planner reviewed
I discovered an interesting tool for travel in the Highlands and Islands a while ago called Journey Genie. If I recall, they followed me on Twitter and invited me to explore their site and write a review. Being a big fan of travel and the Highlands and Islands, and being hugely passionate about the opportunities…
The Cairngorms in Winter
I was at Eden Court earlier this week to see the film The Cairngorms in Winter, featuring outdoors writer Chris Townsend and directed by Terry Abraham. The film is an intriguing mix of geographical documentary, “how to” guide to winter walking and camping, introduction to the Cairngorms (Townsend’s home area), beautiful advert for the Scottish Highlands…
Bravely selling Scotland
In which I argue that the Scottish Government is backing the wrong kind of horse when it uses films like the animated fantasy Brave to promote Scotland and Scottish tourism.
Planes v trains
In which I compare the plane to the train. Needless to say the train wins.
Going off the rails?
You may have read a wee while back about the Scottish Government’s consultation on rail services in Scotland beyond 2014. When launched, it made a few headlines because of eye-catching questions like whether alcohol should be banned from trains or whether the sleeper service and daytime cross-border journeys between the north of Scotland and England…
Where lies the heart of Aberdeen?
In which I reflect on the debate around Aberdeen’s Union Terrace Gardens, and wonder whether everyone’s missed the point somewhat – by a several hundred metres, in fact.
Capital ideas
In which I rant about the desperately sad habit of towns and cities to declare themselves “capital” of something.
Travels in subjectivity: top ten places
In which I argue that those occasional “top ten” lists from travel organisations, which seem to be created solely to generate local press coverage, at least get us all talking about places. And that can’t be a bad thing.
Universal Pub Converter
In which I invent something that could revolutionise travel: the Universal Pub Converter. Well, I say “invent” – it exists purely in my head. But it’s a great idea, I promise…
Au revoir, couchsurfing
In which I reflect on my years of activity within the travel exchange network Couchsurfing, which have, for now, come to an end.