About Me

Giving up real life to travel the world

Hey, I’m Yvette, I’m so glad you found my blog!

Ever since my first trip overseas I have been obsessed with travel. There was something about walking down unfamiliar streets and taking in the new sights and sounds that drew me in. In 2010, I set myself a goal: that I would travel to at least one new country every year. 

For five years I achieved this, but I always had this niggle in the pit of my stomach: I didn’t want to spend a couple of weeks in a new country- I wanted to have this experience full time.

In 2016, I found myself single, broke, and exhausted from working full-time and running a business. 

So I made a decision. I sold my business, all my possessions and within three months I had shifted overseas. 

It was the best feeling in the world. 

In fact I felt so alive, so empowered, and so free that I started this blog to show others how to go on their own adventures.

First stop: Canada

In 2016 I moved to Canada to work a ski season and learn how to snowboard.

I ended up staying for 18 months- spending my winters in Kelowna, BC at Big White Ski Resort and my summer in Banff National Park, AB.

It was Canada that made me fall in love with the outdoors. Growing up on a farm in New Zealand meant I was used to being outside and not afraid to get a little dirty, but it was the Canadian Rockies that made me realise how much I loved being in the mountains.

In my free time I went on as many adventures as I could: hiking, white water rafting, horse riding, climbing, snowboarding, snow shoeing- you name it. 

I became a little obsessed with trying new things outdoors, and my confidence in all areas of my life grew. I was an average girl from a small town in New Zealand, and if I could move across the world and go on epic adventures, anyone can (and should!). 

This blog is my way of sharing some incredible experiences and showing you how you can do them too.

My life in Scotland

In 2018 I moved to Scotland,  my favourite country in the world.

I’ve always been fascinated by Scotland’s history, particularly the First War of Scottish Independence when I found out that King Robert the Bruce was my great x22 grandfather.

My family immigrated from Scotland to New Zealand in the mid-nineteenth century. I’ve had a great time tracing their roots and exploring the land where they worked and lived. My move to Scotland has helped me connect with myself on a deeper level, and I have decided to make it my permanent home!

I now live in a tiny village on the outskirts of Edinburgh with my husband, the Haggis. He occasionally writes for my blog too. 

On weekends you’ll find us exploring ancient castles, hiking in the hills, or down at the pub on the whiskies 😉

Hiking the length of Scotland

In May 2018 I was the first solo female to complete Britain’s toughest hike: The Scottish National Trail.

It took me 7 weeks to complete, beginning in Kirk Yetholm by the English/Scottish border and finishing at Cape Wrath, the most north-western point of Scotland.

I can only describe this as the adventure of a lifetime. It’s the most challenging thing I have ever done, and I started this adventure by being completely unprepared (as per usual) about what was ahead of me. 

Luckily, I learnt a LOT along the way, and I saw some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes in the Scottish lowlands and highlands.

I am in the process of writing a book about my adventure which includes getting lost in the highlands, snakes, cute Scottish guys, getting caught in a storm and a heatwave (Scottish weather likes to be consistent!) and discovering the secret to inner strength.

I have also written a comprehensive guide on hiking the Scottish National Trail in case you would like to try it yourself!

What’s next

2021 is going to be another interesting year for me.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I’ll be staying closer to home and travelling around Scotland. 

I was lucky to travel the world in 2020 [for essential reasons] so I am more than happy exploring my bonnie home! I have lots of hiking and outdoor adventures planned, as well as checking out some hidden gems in Scotland.

You can read about my past adventures here:

>> Read: My year in travel – 2018
>> Read: My year in travel – 2019
>> Read: My year in travel – 2020
>> Read: 50+ things on my Scotland Bucket List

I’m going to be spending 2021 writing helpful travel guides from my past adventures in Scotland to inspire your future travel plans. 

If you’re planning a trip to Scotland, make sure you read and bookmark my Covid-19 Scotland guide which contains all the most recent information on the travel restrictions in Scotland.

Also- check out my Scotland bucket list to see what trips I have planned for the future.

I’ll also be bringing our Red Fox Labrador pup, Angus, on lots of adventures when it’s safe to travel.

I hope you enjoy my blog and find my travel guides useful!

I hang around Facebook quite a lot so come and check out my page. I also post regular Instagram stories about my life in Scotland and I tweet too!

You can also keep up with me by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.

Yvette xx