Lonely Planet

Scotland’s Highlands & Islands: Toolkit

A travel guidebook chapter for Lonely Planet, August 2025

"When venturing out of the big cities and into the more remote corners of the Highlands and islands, expect prices to rise significantly. Especially for essentials like petrol and groceries..."

Scotland’s Highlands & Islands: Plan A Trip

A travel guidebook chapter for Lonely Planet, August 2025

"Now I go every year. Because that’s the thing about the Highlands and islands: they aren’t somewhere you visit just once. This is a region that seizes your soul and refuses to let go..."

Great Britain: Sporting Britain

A guidebook article for Lonely Planet, July 2025

"During the 18th and 19th centuries, Britons codified major sports including tennis, cricket, golf, field hockey, billiards, bowls, netball, water polo, baseball, horse racing, squash and boxing..."

Great Britain: A Divided Kingdom?

A guidebook article for Lonely Planet, July 2025

"Two historical referendums, one on Scottish independence (result: remain) and another on Brexit (result: leave), have revealed deep divisions between Britain's three member nations..."

Great Britain: Meet the British

A guidebook article for Lonely Planet, July 2025

"For many Britons, their identity is specific to their country, their region or even their city. For me, it’s more general than that. The conclusion I've come to is this: I am British, not English..."

Scotland: Southern Scotland

A travel guidebook chapter for Lonely Planet, June 2025

"Romantic history is found everywhere in southern Scotland’s lowlands - helping bring to life its wellspring of ruined abbeys, stately mansions, heathery hills and salmon-stocked rivers..."

Scotland: Glasgow

A travel guidebook chapter for Lonely Planet, June 2025

"The best way to sum up Glasgow? Just look at the equestrian sculpture in front of the city's Gallery of Modern Art. It’s a statue of the Duke of Wellington with a traffic cone on his head..."

Scotland: Edinburgh

A travel guidebook chapter for Lonely Planet, June 2025

"It all began with fire and rock. The rugged, rangy landscape of modern-day Edinburgh was formed by three great volcanoes, which rose together here around 350 million years ago..."

Soak up the Spa Waters in Western Bohemia

An article for The Joy of Quiet Places: A Lonely Planet Book, August 2024

"An early morning stroll through the tiny, lovely spa town of Frantiskovy Lazne is an almost meditative experience, until a sip of musty spring water brings you to earth with a bump..."

The Best Free Things to Do in Prague

An article for Lonely Planet, July 2024

"The Astronomical Clock's on-the-hour procession of mechanical figures leaves some tourists underwhelmed. So instead, come between showtimes for a close-up look at the clock itself..."

Great Britain: Sporting Britain

A guidebook article for Lonely Planet, July 2023

"During the 18th and 19th centuries, Britons codified major sports including tennis, cricket, golf, field hockey, billiards, bowls, netball, water polo, baseball, horse racing, squash and boxing..."

Great Britain: Divided Kingdom?

A guidebook article for Lonely Planet, July 2023

"Two historical referendums, one on Scottish independence (result: remain) and another on Brexit (result: leave), have revealed deep divisions between Britain's three member nations..."

Great Britain: Meet the British

A guidebook article for Lonely Planet, July 2023

"For many Britons, their identity is specific to their country, their region or even their city. For me, it’s more general than that. The conclusion I've come to is this: I am British, not English..."

Scotland: Northern Highlands & Islands

A travel guidebook chapter for Lonely Planet, May 2023

"The most popular route through Scotland’s northern Highlands is the coast-hugging NC500, a 500-mile loop of spiky mountain peaks, dune-fringed beaches and brooding castle ruins..."

Scotland: Edinburgh

A travel guidebook chapter for Lonely Planet, May 2023

"It all began with fire and rock. The rugged, rangy landscape of modern-day Edinburgh was formed by three great volcanoes, which rose together here around 350 million years ago..."

Scotland: Skye and the Outer Hebrides

A travel guidebook chapter for Lonely Planet, March 2022

"Skye's jaw-dropping landscapes and time-honoured castles are popular tourist draws, while those seeking solitude – and stunning sandy beaches – venture out to the Outer Hebrides..."

Chimp-Spotting on the River Gambia

An article for Lonely Planet, October 2019

"Alpha males confidently chomp on their bananas, fretful mothers clasp their young as they scoop water into their mouths, and hyperactive adolescents swing between the branches.."