I'm sad to say this time tomorrow I'll no longer be an Edinburgh-er :(
Exactly a week ago I ended my FY2 year on nights; I practically ran out of the hospital! After a flurry of packing, a spot of brunch followed by a spot of teaching final year students, I headed to Glasgow to meet my family.
We spent a night at my parents' favourite place in the village of Luss on Loch Lomond before heading out to the Isle of Mull (part of the inner Hebrides) for the week. Though the weather was mostly grey the house we stayed in was in a spectacular setting. Each drive in and out included a battle via Highland cows and we received a daily show of deer grazing whilst we ate our own dinner.
Throughout the week we did a few small walks and grew accustomed to seeking out local produce that we would fashion into elaborate surf and turf meals in the huge and wonderfully equipped kitchen. We also took a boat tour out to the Isles of Staffa and Lunga where we saw Fingal's cave and puffins on, respectively.
Fingal's cave for me was a personal highlight. It's here that inspired Mendelssohn's Hebridean Overture. I had first read about this place in year 8 geography and had vowed to visit when I knew I would be living in Scotland. It was as impressive as I had imagined though of course I had seen plenty of spoiler photos! Lunga was also fascinating. Who knew puffins could be so cute?! Almost as cute as penguins... whom funnily enough share similar behaviour by fishing during the daytime and returning to burrows after hunting.
Now I'm back to Edinburgh enjoying a few last moments of the Fringe with friends, and I feel totally relaxed. This morning I felt ready to work so it was strange not having work to go to! In 5 days though I'll be starting a stint "down South". We just can't stay away...!
