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NC500 – far North Scotland
The NC500, or The North Coast 500, is one of Scotland’s most famous road trips – around 830 kilometres through the northern Highlands, following the coastline and winding through mountains, small villages, beaches, cliffs and places where it’s sometimes hard to believe you’re still in the UK. The more miles I covered along this road, the more I felt as though Scotland was slowly disconnecting from the rest of the world. The landscape became increasingly rugged, wild and empty. Larger towns disappeared, the roads grew narrower, and instead of more buildings, there were cliffs, heather-covered moorland, mountains and sea. And that was when the part of the route I had…
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The North Coast 500 – through the Highlands on four wheels
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The Causeway Coastal Route – Northern Ireland
The Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland is one of the most beautiful scenic drives in Europe. This picturesque road stretches almost 200 km, winding through cliffside coasts, green hills and the historic castles of the Emerald Isle. Mussenden Temple – the first stop on the way The first stop is the picturesque Mussenden Temple. This remarkable structure, inspired by Roman temples, was commissioned by a wealthy earl who wished to create his private library here. From the outset, Mussenden Temple has captivated visitors not only with its architecture but also its spectacular cliff-top location. Unfortunately, this location carried the risk of erosion and potential collapse of the building. In…
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Northern Ireland: The Magical places from Game of Thrones
I remember it like it was yesterday, waiting with bated breath for the next episode of “Game of Thrones.” It was one of those series that I watched with full attention. Therefore, visiting Northern Ireland, I was determined to see the epic locations that served as the backdrop for this show. The Emerald Isle became one of the primary locations for this production. Personally, I can’t imagine “Game of Thrones” without the specific dark aura and rugged landscape of Ireland. So, what secrets of Westeros does this island hold? The first stop are the ruins of the 16th-century Dunluce Castle, which served as the inspiration for Pyke, the seat of…
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Belfast and (London)Derry – in short, The Troubles…
Belfast had been on my travel bucket list for a looooong time. My initial plans to visit the capital of Northern Ireland were thwarted by COVID, but as I’m stubborn as hell I finally made it there this year. So, why has Belfast intrigued me for so long? There are two reasons: one is quite significant, and the other is rather quirky. Let’s start with the significant one. The main reason for my visit was to witness the city’s transformation after nearly 30 years of bloody conflict. I wanted to see firsthand how Belfast had healed and evolved since the Troubles. Has peace truly taken root, and what does the…
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Northern Ireland – abandoned places
From the 19th century to the early 20th century, Northern Ireland was the center of the textile industry. A reminder of these times are numerous factories that have been preserved in relatively good condition to this day. What’s more interesting, although access to these places is easy, they aren’t demolished. The only factors shaping their unique appearance are the passage of time and nature, which takes control of these places from year to year. The first industrial complex I visited was built in the 1820s. In its heyday, the main product produced in this factory was linen. This facility makes an amazing impression due to its interesting industrial architecture. Tall…
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England – Bristol
It was the beginning of November, I looked out of the window, it was cold, grey and gloomy day, so I decided to go somewhere. I started visualizing palm trees, sun and warm sea. I had to get out of here even, just for the weekend. After desperate search for any escape route, I booked the tickets to… Bristol. I can’t say that it was a question of conscious choice, because who in their normal minds is going to England in the middle of winter?! I can call it a momentary impulse, caused by a low price of the tickets… a month later, laughing at myself, I went to the…
