Scotland, My Second Heartbeat

Edinburgh Castle

As I promised, this post is focused on my last trip to Scotland, or better said, on all of my trips there. The funny thing is, I have not seen enough of the country to write a proper travel guide. However, I have felt so much about this place that I want to share it with you. I must warn you, this post may get a little longer than I usually write.

My first visit was back in 2017 after a painful break-up. My sister had moved there a few years earlier, and the timing was perfect for me to distract myself with something new. Just a one and a half hour flight and I landed in a completely different world. It was also my first time traveling in Europe outside of Germany. Between the excitement of visiting my family and the endless crying over a guy, I reached a place in my soul where I could finally breathe again.

My first visit in 2017

My first walk through Princes Street, the Royal Mile, High Street and Stockbridge was enough to quiet every heavy thought I carried. Keep in mind, I am endlessly romantic and I adore the idea of old, mysterious cities and castles. As an artist, I have always loved the small details of past times. If you have ever been to Edinburgh, you know exactly how my mind went from black to white. That was the moment I fell in love. But this time, it was different. It was deeper, like a quiet connection. I was still very young, but I remember closing my eyes and whispering, “Hello again.”

Since then, I have been visiting my ‘second home’ at least twice a year. Strangely, I have not seen much of the scenery you might expect me to describe. Even as I type this, I realize how difficult it is to put Scotland into words. But in the end, I will share some of my favorite photos from over the years.

What I can share is how Scotland makes me feel. I still cannot figure out if it is the kindness of the people, the cozy weather, the rugged landscape, the sound of the Scottish accent, the music, the architecture, the history, or simply my family living there that makes me feel so at home, even more than I feel in Germany. The older I get, the more I appreciate walking through this country, losing myself in its small stone paths or in its untamed nature.

When I am there, I feel free. Free to be myself, free to express who I am through my artistic style. I sing out loud without worrying about “bothering the neighbors.” I smile and get a kind smile in return from people passing by. I capture moments and places with my camera. Even something as simple as running to the local shop in my pajamas to grab snacks for a movie night only gets me a cheerful smile and a “have a relaxing evening” from the cashier.

These little acts of kindness are everywhere in Scotland. The friendly “cheers” when you get on and off the bus, acknowledging the person who safely took you from one place to another. The pause to pet a dog patiently lying beside its owner who plays music on the street, while the sound of the pipes reminds everyone that there is a story behind every note.

Whether I am drinking coffee from a favorite local shop, enjoying lunch in Princes Street Gardens, wandering through charity shops where I find beautiful clothes and support good causes, or hiking three hours with my family pretending we are pirates and fairies, Scotland always gives me a sense of adventure and belonging.

I love the small villages by the sea where the ocean seems to call people to turn their homes into galleries and their dining rooms into tea rooms, where creativity flows as freely as conversation. These are the places that create memories with the people I love. And at the end of a full day, I get to go back home, put on my Christmas pajamas (yes, all year round), have dinner on the floor with my nieces and nephew, and go to sleep exhausted but fulfilled, safe, inspired, happy and peaceful.

Most of all, I feel connected. Just like my favorite three bridges, each one different yet united, each one serving a unique purpose but equally beautiful. For me, Scotland is the perfect combination of past, present and future. Thank you, Scotland, for being such a beautiful place for the people I love, admire and care for. And maybe, just maybe, one day, I might call you home as well.

Here you will find a raw mix of moments I have captured from 2017 until now, whether through my camera or with my brushes. So pour yourself a warm cup of tea or coffee, get comfortable, and let these glimpses of Scotland carry you through time and into its cozy corners with me.

And here’s a glimpse of my current work in progress, inspired by the charm of Lower Largo.