28 Comments
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Laura Mac's avatar

So cool that you visited some lesser known parts of Scotland! I'm from Inverness but live in Edinburgh and always encourage people to get out of the city and up to the Highlands. Clava Cairns are amazing! I used to guide tours and I would often take people there (pre Outlander mania).

Anne Boyd's avatar

Yes! Clava Cairns was a very special place. I spent the last 4 months in North Berwick, another favorite. When I return from Italy and Sicily, I’ll be in Edinburgh for two months. It would be great to connect while I’m there!

Laura Mac's avatar

Oh I’d love that!

Anne Boyd's avatar

Great! My email is anneboydrioux at gmail.

Laura Mac's avatar

Thanks - mine is readingisadoingword at yahoo com

Vicki Boyd's avatar

What a wonderful year. I'm sorry I missed the standing stones on my visits to Scotland.

Monica Miller's avatar

Mt Etna--wow!!!

(And I am definitely going to look into those shoes.)

Anne Boyd's avatar

They are called Siren Traveller.

Herstory Revisited's avatar

What a magical year you have had! I am so happy for you that you got to experience all these treasures and even more grateful that you shared them with us!

Anne Boyd's avatar

Thank you, Nancy! It has been an incredible year. So glad to have you along for the ride!

Christina Gagliano's avatar

Interesting, thank you for sharing. I too was in Scicli and Syracuse during the past year, and I just didn't bond with Sicily like I did with Rome and the Varenna/Bellagio/Menaggio area of Italy. As for Edinburgh, I've finally got that trip booked for November and cannot wait!

Anne Boyd's avatar

That's wonderful! I hope you enjoy Edinburgh. I highly recommend Topping & Company for an amazing bookstore experiene. Also, if you have time, a short train ride to North Berwick--lovely seaside town.

Christina Gagliano's avatar

Thanks for the recommendations. My niece, who lives in Edinburgh, and I plan to spend most of our time in bookstores drinking tea and being cozy, which is one reason I chose to go in November.

Anne Boyd's avatar

There are sooo many wonderful bookstores! Tills is a great used bookstore in Newington. Plus they have another store, Tills and Company with a cafe in Portabello. If you go there, you can also visit Portabello Books and the delightful cafe, The Beach House, right on the beach. There is plenty of indoor seating with a view of the beach, if it's too cold outside. Another bookstore that I fell in love with is Lighthouse Books, also in Newington. And there is the women's bookstore, Rare Birds. You really can't go wrong with any of the bookstores in Edinburgh. Even the Waterstones on Princess Street is a feast of bookishness!

Christina Gagliano's avatar

Ooh, I can't wait! I'm going to go back and read your Edinburgh posts before I head over there. My niece did mention that Waterstones and "many others."

If/when you come to Boston, lmk and I'll give you the bookstore lay-of-the-land.

Anne Boyd's avatar

Thank you, Christina. Have a lovely time in Edinburgh!

Etta Madden's avatar

Wow! The year has flown by, and your posts have helped the time pass for me, feeling as though I am partially with you. Thanks so much for sharing your photos, your thoughts, and your journey with us, Anne!

Anne Boyd's avatar

Awww, thank you for coming along, Etta!

Freya Rohn's avatar

So love getting to read about your experiences of your travels. I agree with you about Edinburgh, the Clava Cairns, and Iona--Scotland is such a beautiful, incredible, daydreamy place. :)

Anne Boyd's avatar

It’s stollen my heart! Trying to figure out now how I can stay.

Beverly Rude's avatar

Great summary. What a year! Mom

Patricia Henley's avatar

Thanks for this! Love the photos. I forwarded this to a few people.

Anne Boyd's avatar

Thank you for sharing, Patricia!

Marlene Trestman's avatar

What a wonderful journey you’ve taken us on!! Can’t wait for your book! Xo

Anne Boyd's avatar

Thanks, Marlene! Working on the book. :)

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Sep 23, 2023
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Anne Boyd's avatar

Thank you, Teresa! I think Paris comes in number two for me.

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Sep 23, 2023
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Anne Boyd's avatar

Yes, I love it too!