the weekly review | 18

the best book I've ever read, and exploring the Scottish Highlands

happy friday gang 👋🏼 still living in a building site, and I think I’ve forgotten what a kitchen actually looks like. It’s going to be wild when the kitchen actually gets put in, and I can’t wait to do some seasonal baking when it finally happens!

Last weekend, I went on an adventure up to the Scottish Highlands, for my first ever trip to Loch Ness. It’s somewhere I’ve wanted to go to forever and it was so magical. Honestly, autumn in Scotland is so beautiful. What was strange is how warm it was; 20 years ago, we were at Aviemore around the same time, and got snowed in, and this weekend I was walking around in just a light jumper.

Whilst I didn’t get to see Nessie (maybe next time?), we had a brilliant day at the Loch Ness Centre. We booked the boat tour and exhibition, and it was so worth it. The hour long boat tour took us to the deepest part of loch ness, and I learnt so much. Did you know that if you put all of the lakes and reservoirs in England and Wales together, it still wouldn’t fill Loch Ness! It’s deeper than the North Sea, and longer than the channel crossing. Afterwards, we went to the “immersive experience” and it was brilliant. David Tennant does the narration through the whole thing, and it feels so magical.

Now, onto the rest of this weeks report…

R - I’ve just finished reading quite possibly one of the best books I’ve read - What You Are Looking For Is In The Library. Set in Tokyo, there are essentially 5 short stories about people needing a little guidance in life, and all end up meeting the local librarian who has a skill of not just giving you the books you’re looking for, but also the ones you don’t know you need to read. It’s an incredible book, and I can’t recommend it enough!

E - The festive menus are coming out thick and fast, and yesterday I tried the Greggs Festive Flatbread and oof, it’s a good one, and I’ll be eating it all season long.

P - I’ve had Gracie Abrams album, The Secret of Us (Deluxe Version) on repeat this week. I’m obsessed - there isn’t a bad song on it, and I can’t wait to see it live next year. Some stand out songs include; I Love You, I’m sorry, That’s So True and Free Now.

O - a simple one this week - Bonfire Night. It was on Tuesday, and every year I forget just how much I love this day. The smell, the fireworks, the magic!

R - Last weekend, I went to the Scottish Highlands on a press trip (full review coming next week!), but we stayed at the Abbey Holidays Loch Ness, which are holiday apartments and cottages in a converted Abbey. With views across Loch Ness, it is such a lovely base for exploring more of the highlands!

T - I was running low on tea, and bought this chai roobis tea and if you’re looking for a seasonal, caffeine free tea, this is the one for you!

I’d love to hear what your highlights have been this week! Have you had any good adventures, read any good books and substacks, tried any cute cafes? Share in the comments!!

See you next week

Katie May xo