My Favourite Place by actor Nathalie Armin
Where is it?
Stockbridge and Dean Village, Edinburgh.
Why do you go there?
It is somewhere I chanced upon completely by accident. I was doing the David Greig play Damascus at the Traverse Theatre in 2007, as part of the Edinburgh Festival. That was an amazing job and my first experience of the festival. It was life-changing for me.
There were different show times each day and sometimes I would be done by 1pm, which meant I was free to go exploring.
I was looking for the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and had taken my 15-month-old daughter with me. She immediately fell asleep in her buggy on the cobblestones and I got a chance to explore in peace. I thought it was stunning.
How often do you go?
Once I discovered it, I went there quite a lot. You couldn’t keep me away. As soon as I had a day free, I would be there. I particularly enjoyed The Bailie Bar where I had vegan haggis fritters.
What’s your favourite memory?
I got talking to an 83-year-old Scottish artist and she showed me St Bernard’s Well. I wouldn’t have known it was there otherwise. She gave me a brief history of the well and told me that she met the love of her life there some 60 years earlier. His name was Sid.
Who do you take?
I went by myself a lot, but also enjoyed taking my daughter and my husband too. Being there with my daughter is the most significant memory because I was gasping at the beauty of it all and she was fast asleep. She is now 18. I must take her back for another visit.
What do you take?
An empty stomach because I love the haggis fritters and a camera to take some photographs. Back in those days, I only had a Sony Ericsson phone camera, so the photos weren’t that good. I will need to return with a proper camera.
What do you leave behind?
It was a life and career-changing experience to be in Edinburgh and doing that play at the festival. It is probably one of the most significant periods in my work. It also gave me an intense love of all things Scottish.
Handsome. Elegant. Colourful. Tranquil. Completely enchanting.
What other travel spot is on your wish list?
I’m woefully under travelled in Scotland, apart from Loch Lomond, Edinburgh and Glasgow. I haven’t managed to explore some of the other rugged, beautiful parts yet.
Ben Vorlich and Loch Earn look beautiful. When I see pictures I think, “I would love to have a crack at that”. It takes about six to seven hours to climb but it would be amazing to do.
Further afield? Machu Picchu. I have never been to South America. I would love to visit.
Nathalie Armin stars in the BBC drama Showtrial. Watch all episodes on BBC iPlayer now
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