A pink-stone castle tucked into the rolling hills of Dumfries and Galloway, locally roasted coffee in the mornings, and slow evenings filled with good food and fresh air — our stay at Drumlanrig Castle was the kind of trip that lingers. From e-bike adventures across the estate to farm shop treasures and one very charming studio apartment, this was Scotland at its most quietly spectacular.
Let’s talk about seasonal eating, shall we? Not the Instagram-perfect fantasy version where you’re somehow meant to survive on three locally foraged mushrooms and a …
Let me tell you about the dinner that had my kitchen smelling like an Italian grandmother’s on Sunday afternoon. This baked beef rigatoni isn’t just another pasta bake – it’s that perfect balance of hearty comfort and sophisticated flavour that makes you want to invite friends over just to show off a bit.
Let’s talk about brunch, shall we? Not the polite, predictable affair with its Benedict eggs and avocado toast (though I do love both, don’t get me wrong). I’m talking about the kind of brunch that makes you want to cancel your afternoon plans and linger at the table, possibly with a spicy Bloody Mary in hand, definitely with friends who don’t mind if you lick your fingers.
There’s something rather magical about a really good dip, isn’t there? That perfect scoop that makes everyone at the table go quiet for a moment, followed by the inevitable “Mmmm” and “Oh my god, what’s in this?”
This one’s got all the good stuff: a sweet and sticky homemade teriyaki sauce, flakey roasted salmon, garlicky greens, and nutty quinoa. It’s the kind of dinner that feels a bit fancy but totally doable on a Tuesday.
Let’s be honest—finding a genuinely brilliant restaurant feels a bit like striking gold in your back garden. Unexpected, thrilling, and something you want to both shout about and keep secret. Raymond’s in Nottingham is exactly that sort of treasure.
If you’ve found yourself here, then hey – I’m genuinely glad you have. Welcome to this little corner of the internet that I’ve been dreaming about for quite some time. I’m Lauren, though friends call me Lolly, and this is where I’ll be sharing slices of my life that revolve around two of my greatest passions: cooking and travelling.
