IN the first of a new series, we ask well-known Scots about their favourite places to visit and what makes these locations so special.
SUE LAWRENCE, COOKERY WRITER AND NOVELIST
Where is it?
Somewhere in the Scottish islands. It could be any of the following: Raasay, Harris, Islay, Lewis, Mull, Luing, Jura, Shetland, Orkney. I have been to so many wonderful places all over the islands. So, somewhere with a beach and a view … If I have to choose just one, let's say Raasay. The views over to the Cuillin on Skye are utterly magical.
Why do you go there?
To get away from it all and not to mind if there's no phone signal. And to marvel in the peace and quiet. Also, there is now a wonderful distillery on Raasay producing delicious gin while they wait for the whisky to be ready … What's not to like?
How often do you go?
I go to any of the Scottish islands as often as possible. All have their own charm and each lures me back with a visceral pull. The beauty, the splendour – and some of the best beaches in the world.
How did you discover them?
I often ask island friends for recommendations, so on Raasay I am lucky to have a friend whose family are from there. On Lewis and Harris, if you know Iain Macleod (of Charley Barley/Stornoway Black Pudding fame) you know everyone. I have Shetland friends who know the best houses to rent and beaches to visit.
What's your favourite memory of being there?
Relaxing. Perhaps not in the same way as a Mediterranean beach holiday (where sun is imperative). But definitely in a more chilled way. If the weather isn't great, it really doesn't matter as there are books to read, roaring fires and waterproofs for when you battle the elements.
READ MORE: How one woman's Hebridean odyssey helped her heal after mother's death
Who do you take?
The family, preferably the small grandchildren, who already know the joys of island holidays on Islay, where we stay in a fabulous house on the beach near Port Ellen. There's no better holiday for small children: come rain or shine, we are on the beach.
What do you take?
Gone are the days when you had to load up on everything from wine to fresh vegetables and salad before you went to the islands. Nowadays you can buy most things in situ – and buying local is a joy, from amazing seafood, vegetables, salad leaves and herbs, to superb game, beef and lamb.
What do you leave behind?
Worries.
Sum it up in five words.
Peaceful. Haunting. Welcoming. Idyllic. Scottish.
What travel spot is on your post-lockdown wish list?
Near to home, the Monach Islands (uninhabited since the 1930s, like St Kilda), where I set my latest novel, The Unreliable Death of Lady Grange. I first heard about these islands from Hebridean lobster fishermen who fish there.
READ MORE: How one woman's Hebridean odyssey helped her heal after mother's death
Further afield, the north coast of Colombia and the beaches of Uruguay. I absolutely adore South America. But these might have to wait.
The Unreliable Death of Lady Grange by Sue Lawrence is published by Contraband, priced £8.99
Shops across Scotland are closing. Newspaper sales are falling. But we've chosen to keep our coverage of the coronavirus crisis free because it's so important for the people of Scotland to stay informed during this difficult time.
However, producing The Herald's unrivalled analysis, insight and opinion on a daily basis still costs money, and we need your support to sustain our trusted, quality journalism.
To help us get through this, we're asking readers to take a digital subscription to The Herald. You can sign up now for just £2 for two months.
If you choose to sign up, we'll offer a faster loading, advert-light experience – and deliver a digital version of the print product to your device every day. Click here to help The Herald: https://www.heraldscotland.com/subscribe/
Thank you, and stay safe.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here