As I’ve said in previous blog posts, I’m a big fan of going solo when travelling. Two weeks ago I went on my first solo-trip in over two years: I was up in Scotland visiting the Isles of Mull, Skye and Iona. I loved it but now I’ve had a bit of time at home to reflect on what it was like to be out on my own after such a long break away from travel.
1. I was nervous like never before!
Pre-covid I was pretty fearless: I would pack my bags and be off. 2021 felt a little different. I was nervous. So nervous. As my boyfriend drove me to the train station to get my train to Glasgow I felt sick and teary, he even asked me why I was going. Because I have to, I said. I had to prove to myself that I still had it in me to go somewhere completely new on my own. The moment I felt the train pull away from the station, my nervousness disappeared. It was like I did a big sigh out and all the tension dropped away. I was off!
I was nervous about travelling by public transport: what would it be like and how busy would it be? Would the trains feel clean? Missing my connections also really worried me too – I had to change on the way there and twice on the way back.
It was my experience that most people on the trains were still wearing masks (it was requested by the train company to do so to keep their staff safe, and they were also still encouraged but not mandatory at that point in Scotland), and people were still giving each other plenty of room. My train back from Glasgow to Edinburgh was cancelled in the end which meant I missed all my other trains, but y’know, it was fine. The train guards let me on the next train with no problem and I was able to get a seat. So, it was ok even for all the worrying!
Lesson 1: don’t worry about the travel!
2. Other women who travel!
Up on Mull and Iona there were so many other women travelling by themselves! I have never been somewhere where every pub or restaurant I went there was another woman sat alone. It filled me up with joy. It also meant I was able to meet some great women: one who told me all about the whales, seals and puffins off the coast, for example, then there was a lady at breakfast who told me about a great walk to do in Tobermory, and one woman I walked round Iona and Staffa with knew so much about the history of Scotland and all the warring clans that I learnt so much. I also got some great trip advice for what to do in other parts of Scotland from them (I do love hearing other traveller stories).
My only complaint was that some of the restaurants did not seem to know how to seat me as a party of one. I had some weird corner tables right at the back of the dining room facing a wall, or perched on an empty bar (normally I quite like sitting at the bar, but this time I was tucked away at the end with the cutlery). So maybe that is something to work on: Isle of Mull – I’m talking to you!
Lesson 2: talk to people, you never know what you might learn.
3. Feeling the weather!
Finally, it felt so good to be back out in the elements. In Mull I had all the weather – rain and mist making my castle and loch visits moody and atmospheric; I also had some gorgeous sun for my walk out to the lighthouse in Tobermory.
In Iona I had such a calm and wonderful day where the sky and sea turned shades of blue I have never seen before. Iona has such a powerfully calming presence and it does feel like you are the last person on the planet when you are there.
In Skye, I had the most exposure to the Scottish elements. On the day I visited the Fairy Pools and Fairy Glen it poured down which meant that the stepping stones to the pools were closed for safety, unfortunately. But the glen was still special to see in the mist and the mud. The Fairy Glen is an area nestled in to the surrounding crofts where the fairies are believed to dwell. There is a range of conical shaped hills, with remains of a “castle” (a natural rock formation that does look like it could have once been a fairy castle) and a small loch. I was covered in mud after I had finished exploring!
Lesson 3: no such thing as bad weather only bad clothing!
So, after being cooped up at home for so long it was soul-enriching to be back out on the road and Scotland gave me all kinds of adventure. I’m so glad I got on that train! If any other solo-travellers are looking for a place to go that is easy to get round with plenty to do: get off to Mull, Skye and Iona, you won’t be disappointed.
Luggage & Scribble 
Those are some pretty wonderful pics, and I love places that have less people. Thanks for continuing to share your travels, because posts like this are a boon to those who are still stuck in lockdown (me).
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Thank you so much! I like the quieter places too. I hope everything is ok with you and you aren’t in lockdown too much longer.
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