We are finally approaching spring. There is more daylight, flowers begin to blossom and all in all Scotland is at her best. Sadly, we are stil amidst apandemic and may only move within our council areas. I personally cannot wait to be let free. Meanwhile I thought I would share the places I legally can visit. Today it is: North Queensferry.

North Queensferry was created by Saint Margaret (wife of Malcolm III) in 1068 when she installed a ferry service between North and South Queensferry. The service ran for 800 years and only ceased when the Forth Road Bridge was complete in 1964. There are three bridges between the villages, the two road bridges were both opened by the current Queen Elisabeth and her late husband Prince Philip, the latest addition Queensferry Crossing in 2017. These bridges were span over three centuries. The Forth Rail Bridge is the oldest was completed in 1890 and was designed by Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker. The bridge contains 53.000 tons of steel and contains 6.5 million rivets. There is a say that tasks that take a while takes as long as painting the Forth Rail Bridge (though since the last refurbishment it is claimed the paint will last 25 years). This bridge was opened by the Duke of Rothesay who later became King Edward VII and in 2000 54.000 people and 10 million tons in freight. North Queensferry has has the smallest lighthouse dating back to 1813 (John Rennie) which is shown in this video. The pier was extended by Thomas Telford in 1828. Nowadays visitors can still board boats from here to explore the river and its islands.

If you like more virtually or hopefully soon in person, please use the buttom below:

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Tour guiding is obviously still not possible under current restrictions but at least the sun is out and we may travel within our council areas.

Yesterday has been a stunningly beautiful spring day. The images I took I would like to share with your here:

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Gradually, more and more businesses and attractions publish their re-opening.

We are not there yet but there are sure signs that some day in the not too distant future we will be able to offer tours all over Scotland again.

To be honest I cannot wait but would meanwhile provide some re-assurance that our vehicles and drivers are very cautious about Coivd-19 safe processes.

Threrefore our vehicles are fitted with protective screens and are cleaned after each use, both with desinfectant and UV sanitisers, which are also used on our credit card facilities. We operated a DEW air purifiers, hand sanitisers are available to our customers and are used by our drivers. Our drivers wear face mask and we can supply you with a face mask should you have forgotten you own.

The vehicles are all 8 seaters taxis which are currently operated as 6 seater for people from one household.

With all this in place we are very hopeful to provide safe, enjoyable tours all across Scotland in due course. Watch this space or start your journey by filling out this contact form to start planning you next trip!

While a plan to ease out of the current lockdown in Scotland has been published the rest of Europe is experiencing the third wave of the Corona virus already. As a matter of fact Germany announced yesterday a full lockdown over Easter.

While I remain hopful that vaccinations will eventually allow us to travel the world again I do believe for the foreseeable future we will be lucky if we can have staycations this year. To be honest if I have the rare airport pick up these days leaving my 5 mile zone does feel like a wee holiday all by itself.

If you are planning a staycation in breathtaking Scotland, please be resonsible so that everyone after you can enjoy the same beauty and remoteness. Visit Scotland has created this amazing video to remind us all:

And while you are packing please also be reminded that Scotland is the place where you can have all four seasons in one day. So please pack you waterproofs alongside your sunglasses and swimming gear and ENJOY!

Realistically it will be a good wee while before I will be able to welcome international guests again.

My 2021 bookings one by one are being postponed to 2022 which is unavoidable and really sad for my clients (and me of course too).

However, at the moement the figures for Scotland are beginning to look better and what is more we are in spring: The days are getting longer and flowers begin to pop up everywhere.

While travelling for work I had the opportunity to stop off at beautiful Falkland village which has a huge history itself but has more recently been noted for serving as Inverness in Outlander. I love the series but let me show there is so much more worth visiting at Falkland:

Wandering through the very empty Royal Mile in Edinburgh the other day I was reminded once again how different life during the Covid-19 pandemic has been and still is.

The daily COVID-19 updates in Scotland sound quite promising while elsewhere the third wave is being recorded (Italy, Finland & Germany). However, with the vaccination program making good progress and the odd notification from one or the other hotel’s or restaurant’s opening dates I do begin to get hopeful that one day in the not too distance future there will be travelling again.

I do not believe that we will see international travelers return in 2021 but perhaps staycations can be done in a safe manner and also some art, music and sport events could take place.

Certainly spring on the door step lifts my mood and also shows just how gorgeous Scotland is, not just as a holiday location but much more so as an amazing place to live. Keep in mind I am not a native Scot (sadly!)

So while we wait for a little more freedom do enjoy these few images of Edinburgh’s heart, the Royal Mile full of emptyness for now:

I was taking clients to Edinburgh (Covid- compliant), had to wait on them and therefore ended up with some extra time to spare.

I have always stated that walking is by far the best way to investigate this beautiful city and since it was not raining I escaped to King Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh second vulcano right in the city centre.

Edinburgh is always worth a visit and you certainly do not need to go hiking to enjoy it.

Once restrictions ease we can show you Ediinburgh again:

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Last year we very busy chauffering customers across the country and in the evening I had the pleasure to take some of our regular clients to the big Hogmanay party in Edinburgh. Despite working and being stone-sober I throughly enjoyed the amazing athmosphere Edinburgh always has when there is a party on.

Those customers have meanwhile left this gorgeous country perhaps because of the pandemic or Brexit, or both?

The company who has been responsible for organisation of the Hagmonay is Underbelly. This year there will be no party so they created these amazing videos on their Edinburgh Hogmanay website.

As you all know I am terribly in love with this country and these films touch my heart.

Take a look:

Oidhche na Bliadhn ‘Ùire

The garden team of Kellie Castle has created these lovely videos:

If you love what you do you are always trying to expand on that experience. Three years ago I was lucky enough to be accepted as volunteer at Kellie Castle, a property in the care of the NTS. There is a team of amazing volunteers at the castle, most of them put a lot more time into it then I and each single one of them plus the staff at the castle are a never ending source of knowledge and stories. Due to Covid-19 sadly none of us was able to provide advice as room guide or guided tours throughout the castle. Hopefully this will change again in 2021 and meanwhile the NTS produced thsi fantastic video so we all will not forget about Kellie Castle.

If you wish to support the trust you can opt to buy some Xmas presents here:

https://www.nts.org.uk/shop/collections/shop-winter-offers.html

Also, you can still visit the amazing garden and take a walk to Kellie Law