Hello Loves!! Here is the full #FableFable UK road trip from Scotland to England. As the summer comes to a close, I’m reminiscing on this amazing trip. I highly recommend seeing Scotland via road trip because driving through the highlands + stopping in tiny towns is what it’s all about. From rock royalty weddings to the London Eye VIP champagne experience — this trip was one of the greatest. Below you can find our UK Road trip all mapped out!
DAY 1 : NYC TO GLASGOW
We flew into Glasgow airport + got our rental car. Obviously, the Fables were starving so first stop was to grab a bite to eat before checking into our hotel. We went to Loch Lamond Steamship Co. and grabbed a cup of coffee and our first shortbread cookie of the trip! PRO TIP :: Scotland isn’t hot… or sunny… even in the summer. So pack accordingly! (I did not). We had dinner at Iberica & OMG I would fly back to Glasgow just to eat dinner there again. We had a family-style tapas meal and it was definitely one of the best dinners the entire trip. The most amazing thing about Scotland — it doesn’t get dark outside until 11:30PM in July. And some nights it seemed like it was bright all through the night. It made staying up later and exploring much easier!
DAY 2 : GLASGOW
We had a delicious brunch and then headed out on a shopping excursion. If you love ALLSAINTS like I do, the store in Glasgow is a MUST. We were there in time for a crazy crazy sale. Once again the cool July temperatures surprised me, so I found a jacket on sale + wore it the rest of the day. We also shopped around Princes Square Shopping Centre, which had gorgeous shops and many places to eat as well. We then wanted to explore a bit more of Glasgow on foot so we did an impromptu city work out + run (hilarious footage in the vlog). We ran along River Clyde and found various places to stop for some quick plyometric workouts. There is a striking mural of a lion that is great to snap an insta photo. One Glasgow gem we found that I highly recommend is Glickman’s Confectionery. It is the oldest sweet shop in Glasgow & their ‘Macaroon Cake’ which isn’t particularly what you think it is. The only way for you to understand is to try it yourself. That night we went to The Grill on the Corner and I have to say — I was not impressed. Then again I am a major foodie, but there are better places to eat — like Iberica… For being a city, Glasgow closes everything pretty early (well, compared to NYC). So plan accordingly.
DAY 3 : GLASGOW > ROTHES
We woke up early to grab a quick bite to eat before heading to the Scottish Highlands. If you love coffee, or chocolate, or tea… or shortbreads… you must stop by CC&T, which stands for Coffee Chocolate & Tea. This was such an amazing little friendly espresso bar + a wonderful breakfast. I am a tea-lover so I was in heaven with their selections of over 40 loose leaf teas…They also have their own coffee roaster displayed in-shop so this place is a must! Shoutout to Shaneman for finding this stop. Then we drove up the narrow, winding roads alongside Loch Lomond in our massive rented van. It was an.. experience. We had a plan to visit the Urquhart Castle, however, they closed before we could get there. But thank God for my drone, because we still got to see it from a bird’s eye view! Many people told me that the food in the Scottish Highlands would be disappointing to a foodie such as myself. However, while Marky Mark + I were planning this trip we managed to seek out the nicest hotel + most delicious food to be found in the highlands: The Station Hotel. We were served one of the most delicious dinners + found ourselves located in a small town with 60 Scotch distilleries in a 50 mile radius. Safe to say, this was my Dad’s favorite leg of the trip.
DAY 4 : ROTHES > ABERLOUR > EDINBURGH
Today was filled with Scotch, shortbread, castles + driving (done by separate people). First we walked along the River Spey in Rothes for a tiny bit of exercise before heading to Walker’s Shortbread Factory. Then, we went to Aberlour Distillery, then the Mcallan Distillery, and then the stunning Ballindalloch Castle. To see all the greatness Ballindalloch has to offer watch the vlog below! Too much to type out! I will say, if you go — make sure to walk through the castle’s walled garden. Next, we drove to Edinburgh + Shane, my dad and myself spent the night at a pub.
DAY 5 : EDINBURGH :: ARTHUR’S SEAT
We had this full day to explore Edinburgh. We walked around a bit with Nonna + the rents and then Shane and I went our own way to hike Arthur’s Seat. It was such an amazing hike with even more amazing scenery. A breathtaking 360 degree view of Edinburgh. If you are ever in Edinburgh and don’t hike Arthur’s Seat, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Later that (well-lit) night we got Indian food and it was definitely the best Indian food I have ever had in my life @ Shezan.
DAY 6 : EDINBURGH :: PRESTONFIELD HOUSE
I wish I could’ve stayed and explored Edinburgh even longer because I didn’t see nearly enough. But we went on a super touristy bus tour to be able to see the most amount of the city in one day. We stopped at Tribal Body Art Lt. on The Royal Mile, not to get a tattoo or a piercing but to shop the unique and one-of-a-kind pins that they sell (see vlog).We hopped off at Grassmarket and stopped at the cutest little shops + had the most delicious pastries, tea and coffee. Later on that night, we had probably the nicest dinner of the entire trip at the amazing Prestonfield House’s restaurant, Rhubarb. This may have been one of the nicest dining experiences of my life. I was underdressed and not too happy about that… BUT still had an amazing time…
DAY 7 : EDINBRUGH TO ENGLAND
We road tripped from Edinburgh to Atherstone. It was a long day in the car but when we finally made it to Bosworth Hall Hotel… we were greeted with a surprise. I’ll let the vlog fill you in on this one…
DAY 8 : MEREVALE HALL + A ROCK ROYALTY WEDDING
Today is the day we flew all the way over the pond for! The beautiful Maria Figueredo got married to Mr. Simon Kirke — Rock n’ Roll Royalty. The wedding was absolutely perfect and my parents and I danced until my feet bled while Shane became a bookworm. He was glued to books with firsthand accounts from Winston S. Churchill in Merevale Hall’s insanely vast library.
DAY 9 : ATHERSTONE TO LONDON
We headed back to the gorgeous Merevale Hall property for the most perfect brunch I have ever had in my entire life. Now I can say that I’ve had brunch at a castle… After enjoying everyone’s company, the food + the scenery — we made our way to London. Once we arrived we toured the London streets on foot and, obviously, grabbed a bite to eat.
DAY 10 : LONDON :: HARRODS
Our first full day of London consisted of playing tourist. We hopped on a big red bus, went sightseeing, and stopped to shop at Harrods. The Harrods Food Hall was quite literally my heaven. We then had high tea + bought a ton of different tastes to bring back to the hotel for a mini feast.
DAY 11 : LONDON :: THE LONDON EYE
Possibly my favorite day of the trip. It was my favorite due to the incredible Champagne Experience on the London Eye. This was a serious game-changer. You know that while in London you will be waiting in line to catch a glimpse of the breathtaking views of the city via the London Eye. By chance, my Dad found out about the VIP Champagne Experience and once he heard all of the perks he upgraded. Make sure to watch this vlog!!
DAY 12 : LONDON TO NYC
We enjoyed every bit Scotland and England had to offer. While there was still SO much to see, we had to head back home to the pups! This was the first time in my entire life I had to SPRINT to the gate to catch a flight. While I wouldn’t have been too upset to miss our flight and have more time in the city of London, this crazy dog lady had to get home to Nova + Nero.
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XO,
L
