A Winter Adventure in Scotland
Winter in Scotland has been hard this year. Plunged into yet another lockdown and hemmed in by the cold, dark nights, the time seems to have passed in a haze of despondency.
Yet, when the snow came, it also brought a sense of hope. The snow reflected the little sunlight we had, to brighten the once grey streets with beauty, and people emerged from their homes to find fresh joy in skating on the frozen ponds and sledging down the hills. I, for one, found my own way of embracing childlike joy.
There is nothing that soothes a heavy heart like reconnecting with the lightness of simple pleasures from days gone by. For when the days are dark and dreary, we must take delight in the simple things, otherwise we would feel no joy at all. To do justice to this thought, I have made every effort to sink into the beauty of Scotland this winter, and it has certainly done me good. Through winter walks on the icy pond to swinging out across a landscape of snowy wonder, I have embraced all the joy that this Scottish winter has afforded.
Yet, even as I gazed out to the snow-capped hills in the distance, I couldn’t help feeling a deep longing for adventure in my heart. For, as beautiful as my surroundings were, I found myself worn down by the familiarity of everything around me. Days passed in this way, until an unexpected opportunity presented itself to me…and I took the chance to escape.
A peaceful train ride later, I found myself in magical Edinburgh, gazing up at the ancient castle. After a short visit to the Russian Consulate to pick up documentation for work, I let myself loose on the crooked, cobbled streets - exploring corners I had never frequented, admiring the architecture, and enjoying a hot chocolate at the Meadows while chatting with an old friend. Though I was only there for a day, I was amazed at how such simple pleasures were able to lift my spirits. So, the next time you’re feeling hemmed in and a little low in spirits, perhaps consider taking some time aside to enjoy the simple joys in life.
