Nomadic Experiences Today

A big part of being a Nomad is experiencing things you normally wouldn’t if you stay in one place. And to really appreciate this you need to have a mindset of living in the ‘Present’, otherwise you just don’t “catch” the wonderful things happening around you every day. Now that may sound ‘obvious’, but the reality is most people – no strike that – the majority of people don’t live in the present. In fact most people spend the majority of their time living in the future, or God forbid, the past. Now there is nothing wrong with focusing your efforts on attaining goals and objectives that are ahead of you, and there is certainly something healthy about remembering and appreciating your past. But if you fail to be aware of your present then you will miss out on the many simple pleasures life gifts you everyday. And as a Nomad, I am even more blessed to experience some amazing things on my travels.

In that spirit let me share a couple of wonderful recent experiences that I would highly recommend you put on your list of 999 things to do before you go – and by the way, if you don’t have a bucket list then you better start putting one together. The first was a recent trip I took to the village of Lochinver in the Scottish Highlands. Lochinver is located on the West Coast of Sutherland, lies close to and amongst some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland, situated at the mouth of the River Inver. The drive from Edinburgh is about 5 hours and takes you through some of the most incredible, untouched scenery on Earth. The road to the village takes almost an hour and a half and you have to watch out for oncoming vehicles that can’t pass you unless you pull into one of the hundreds of ‘side spots’.

Now what was really amazing about this little village in the middle of nowhere was the restaurant our group went to on the Saturday evening at the Albannach Hotel. Colin and Lesley are the proud owners and operators of this small, quaint and tasteful hotel where Colin is the Chef and Lesley is the manager and host. Last year the Albannach was awarded a Michelin Star for their amazing restaurant and that is what made the whole experience that much more special. We had a five-course meal in their cosy Scottish dining room, complete with the smell of open fire and oaky whiskey. The menu is 100% local produce, and that evening it included langoustines, lamb and monk fish. But the detail and care that went into the preparation of the meal, along with the excellent service was just amazing. The dining experience in a setting that words cannot even describe was truly privileged.
The second experience was both about the place and the company. Spending the recent Thanksgiving holiday in Edinburgh, my parents were kind enough to come and visit me for the holidays even though there is no Thanksgiving holiday in Scotland, or anywhere else outside of the US for that matter. On the Saturday we woke up to a rare sunny winter day and walked to my local brunch place, Hamilton’s, located in the Stockbridge section of town. After a hearty Scottish breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, black pudding, haggis, mushrooms, baked beans and toast, we then proceeded to take in all the sights and sounds of Edinburgh, which is an incredible experience in itself. But the 5 hours of walking, window shopping and interacting with the locals was just the right pre-cursor to a unique Scottish experience of Afternoon Tea. But this was no ordinary Afternoon Tea, this was Tea at Prestonfield House.
Now a luxurious and romantic five-star hotel, Prestonfield has a long and distinguished heritage as a historic home at the centre of Scotland's social, political, business and artistic life. Currently celebrating 50 years since Prestonfield became a hotel, that tradition continues to this day, providing the perfect venue in which to celebrate or entertain. The lands of Prestonfield, or Priestfield, as the estate was known until the late 17th century, were ceded in medieval times to the Cistercian monastery at Harehope in Northumberland. Henry, Earl of Huntington – son of David I of Scotland, had founded this wealthy order in 1150. In 1376, after the bloody War of Independence, the order’s Scottish lands were confiscated and given to the Earl of Carrick, son of King Robert II – who sold them to the wealthy and powerful Wardlaw family. The estate changed hands many times over the centuries, owners including Sir Robert Murray, Sir James Dick, Lady Cunyngham, and Sir Alexander Dick, the latter a physician by profession (seven times President of the Royal College of Physicians and a founding member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh), who took a particular interest in horticultural propagation, and was accorded a gold medal for his successful introduction of rhubarb to Scotland. Sir Alexander was also reputed for genial hospitality, playing generous host to leading thinkers, writers and artists of the day including David Hume, Benjamin Franklin, Dr Samuel Johnson, and Allan Ramsay.
Sir Alexander's heirs continued to sustain the Dick family’s flair for commerce and Prestonfield’s reputation for hospitality. Half a century ago, the house remembered its past reputation for hospitality, and opened as a hotel. Stars of the sixties, seventies and eighties delighted in its tranquil setting, its unique architecture, its handsome antiques and precious artworks. Sandie Shaw walked barefoot across the marble floor of the front hall. Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher each dined at Prestonfield under the watchful eyes of early Dick-Cunyngham family portraits. Sean Connery, Elton John and Catherine Zeta Jones all partied the night away. And Oliver Reed raised the hell for which he was so very well known. Today, Prestonfield is owned by James Thomson, owner of Edinburgh’s celebrated Witchery by the Castle and Tower restaurants. 
Our party arrived at Prestonfield at 4pm on a cold, foggy, but dry autumn Saturday afternoon for a timeless Scottish tradition of Afternoon Tea. Afternoon tea is a luxurious Prestonfield tradition and a memorable occasion, whether served by the side of a roaring log fire or, in summer, in the rose-filled gardens or the whimsical gothic tea house. We were led into the Whiskey Room by the Maitre’D and were subsequently met by our server who was dressed in traditional Scottish kilt. The ceremony and tradition of freshly baked scones, pastries and sandwiches accompanied by tea, coffee and an optional glass of fine champagne are an experience in themselves, but the romantic setting we found ourselves in makes the experience that much more special. We spent over 2 hours enjoying the tea, goodies, roaring fire, artwork, atmosphere, conversation and great company, in a museum setting that had hosted the likes of Sir Winston Churchill and Benjamin Franklin. It was a special afternoon that will never be replicated in the same way again.As I think back to experiences like these I can't help to feel both nostalgic and blessed. Afternoon Tea may not be your thing. International travel may not appeal to you. Maybe a Michelin star meal is not something you appreciate. But everyone has things the enjoy and you have to make the time to enjoy them. I recall walks on the beach with my cousins in San Diego, a summer walk in New Orleans visiting a good friend, walking the dog in the woods of Pennsylvania, and Sunday lunch with my family years ago when I was 14. They are moments you recall because you captured them when they were happening. Afterwards is too late. Take the time. Today.