This Christmas was my first one spent away from home. I had booked my plane ticket to arrive a couple of weeks before the holiday so I could settle in and save some money. I didn’t have anything planned for Christmas and was content to spend it treating myself to a nice meal, but my friend Hannah kindly invited me to spend it with her and her family up in the Highlands.

So on the Friday before Christmas, I headed up. A seven-hour travel day included a morning train from Edinburgh to Inverness, followed by another one to Stromeferry. Both train journeys were beautifully scenic complete with rugged mountainous landscapes and lochs, all against a characteristically grey Scottish sky.

Waiting to greet me on the platform in Stromeferry was Hannah and her husband Gavin. Shortly after that, began a week full of festive feasting and a much-needed catch up.

Highlights included:

• Yotem Ottolenghi’s Chicken Marbella

• Kimchi + Manchego Buns (I need to recreate these!)

•Hannah’s nephew 14-month old nephew Leo, a clever + mischievous handful (#babysommelier)

•Hannah’s pies + Grandma Bagley’s Christmas Cookies–the thin + crispy fruit-filled cookies are a firm favorite of mine.

•Christmas Lunch–a feast of turkey (a tasty BA recipe), roast potatoes, veggies, chestnut cornbread stuffing, bread sauce, and cranberry relish.

•Sandwiches made with Christmas lunch leftovers

•Walks around Plockton and Stromeferry–chilly but stunning scenery that reminded me of Maine.

It was truly a memorable week that I am incredibly grateful to have experienced–this all made possible by Hannah + Gavin, and their wonderful families that welcomed me in.

Looking forward to returning for a visit in the warmer months, and checking out the nearby Isle of Skye.