Melody Jacob

Our little big adventure really did not want to end at Tannoch Loch. After leaving Tannoch Loch, we got back in the car and started heading home, but then we saw Drumclog Moor Car Park and something in me said, wait, why are people parking here? What is actually around here? So we drove past, then reversed and decided to have a look. I am glad we did because this little decision took us somewhere we had completely missed earlier in the day. There was a map, so this time we actually stood there and looked at it properly, and that was when I realised there was something else around Mugdock Country Park that we had not seen: Mugdock Reservoir. Remember how I told you we had gone looking for Mugdock Castle earlier and somehow ended up at Craigend Castle instead? Well, apparently we had been walking around Mugdock without fully understanding just how much was around us. This time, with the map in front of us, we could see the reservoir and decided to walk towards it.  When we...

After leaving Mugdock Country Park and Craigend Castle , we drove over to Easterton Farm Park because of a little boy we had met earlier. He was riding a horse when he noticed how excited I was to see it and kindly asked if I wanted to pet it. Of course I said yes. While I was petting the horse, he told us about a nearby stable where people can learn how to ride, although the horse he was riding actually belonged to his friend. He was such a lovely little guy. We decided to drive over to Easterton Farm Park to have a look, but we didn't get out of the car because horse riding wasn't part of our plan that day. Easterton Stables is actually a proper riding school and livery yard, offering lessons, pony rides and hacks through Mugdock Country Park, so I have already put that somewhere in the back of my mind for another day. The farm park is in the Mugdock countryside overlooking the Campsie Fells and is less than half an hour from Glasgow city centre, so it is one of those plac...

Photo of  Craigend Castle So, remember when I told you in my Mugdock Country Park post that we accidentally ended up at Craigend Castle? Well, this is the story of that little discovery. When we were walking around Mugdock, we spoke to an older couple who told us it would take about 20 minutes to get to the castle. Because we were in Mugdock Country Park, we naturally assumed they meant Mugdock Castle . We followed the route, kept walking and eventually arrived at what looked like the remains of a castle, except it didn't look quite like the castle I had seen in pictures of Mugdock Castle. That was when we realised we had actually found Craigend Castle .  At first I was a little confused because I thought we had somehow taken a completely wrong route, but then I realised this was one of the interesting things about Mugdock: there are two very different historic castle sites within the wider country park area. Mugdock Castle is the much older one, a medieval stronghold associa...

Yesterday we visited Mugdock Country Park , and before we did, we had to check whether we had actually been there before. We searched on our phones and searched my blog, and as I always say, if I don't remember visiting a place, then for now, my conclusion is that I haven't visited it. Well, I was wrong. We had actually been to Mugdock before, but we had never really explored the country park itself. We had gone on a date to one of the restaurants within the park, and I remember enjoying the meal and wandering around the lovely garden centre beside it, but that was about it. So this time we decided to visit Mugdock properly. Like always, I woke up feeling that I couldn't let this holiday pass without getting outside and enjoying God's creation. I got ready and spent some time reading blogs, we ate and eventually headed out. The funny thing is that we have driven along the road leading to Mugdock several times. It is one of those places that is close to the city but some...

I am glad you all are enjoying these day-trip posts, but did you know that on the day we visited Bishop Loch , we also stopped by Lochend Burn ? The entrance was just in the opposite direction. To be honest, we originally headed over because I was hungry and looking for something to eat, but since we were already nearby, we thought, why not? It was the perfect opportunity to see what was there and enjoy somewhere new. It is not a massive location, so it took far less time to explore, making it a fantastic, breezy addition to our day. Once we had sorted out something to eat, we decided to have a wander around Lochend Burn and see what it had to offer. We started from the Bishop Loch gateway area, crossed towards the distinctive red steel footbridge over the M73, and followed the paths along Lochend Burn before looping back the same way. The full walk took just under an hour at an easy pace, with plenty of stops along the way to take in the surroundings. Tucked away on the boundary betwe...

Lambhill Stables: Glasgow’s Hidden Canalside Escape Beside Possil Marsh That Feels Like Another World There are places you visit because they are famous. Then there are places you stumble upon that stay with you long after you leave. Places that do not shout for attention. Places that quietly wait. Tucked away in the north of Glasgow, beside the peaceful waters of the Forth and Clyde Canal and sharing a boundary with the beautiful Possil Marsh Nature Reserve , Lambhill Stables is one of those rare places. The day I visited Possil Marsh was the very same day I visited Lambhill Stables. In truth, it would have felt impossible to separate the two. They sit side by side, connected not only by geography but by atmosphere. The transition from the wild wetlands of Possil Marsh to the historic stone buildings and community gardens of Lambhill Stables feels completely natural, as though one experience gently flows into the other. If you are searching for a peaceful Glasgow day trip, a hidden na...

Yesterday, I visited Sighthill Park  and it felt like an endless journey while sitting in one spot. Not because something huge happened. Not because life suddenly changed. But because for a few hours, I sat in the middle of nature, people, noise, sunlight, birds, trains, conversations, and human behaviour, and I simply observed life happening around me. I planned an ice cream date for myself. Three flavours. One park. One chair. One long evening with nature and my thoughts. So I headed to Sighthill Park in Glasgow for what I thought would just be a peaceful outdoor personal picnic and alone time. But somehow the day became much more than that. Arriving at Sighthill Park The weather was beautiful. Not too hot. Not too cold. The kind of weather that makes Scotland feel softer. The sun kept disappearing and returning again throughout the evening, changing the entire mood of the park every few minutes. One moment I had my sweater on because the breeze became cool, and the next moment...

Bishop Loch Local Nature Reserve: The Peaceful Glasgow Escape We Almost Never Visited Bishop Loch Local Nature Reserve surprised me in the best possible way. On the morning of 28/05/2026, my partner and I set out looking for somewhere peaceful in Glasgow . Somewhere quiet. Somewhere healing. Somewhere where the warm Scottish sun could touch our skin while nature softened the noise that everyday life sometimes brings. What we found at Bishop Loch Local Nature Reserve was far more than a simple walk. It became one of those rare days that begin beautifully and somehow end even better. This hidden corner of the Seven Lochs Wetland Park gave us woodland paths, wide open meadows, birds gliding over calm water, distant swans drifting across the loch, and moments of complete silence that felt impossible to find inside a busy city like Glasgow. But it also revealed something else. A reminder that nature is only as beautiful as the care people choose to give it. This is my complete guide and hon...

Yesterday, being Sunday, the Glasgow sun did something truly miraculous. It didn't just shine; it wrapped the entire city in a warm, golden embrace that had everyone flocking outdoors. Walking through the city, my inner child was absolutely screaming with joy. I seriously wish this weather could stay like this forever! I had such an incredible time that I couldn’t wait to get back, open my laptop, and share it all with you. If you are looking for a perfect walking trip in Glasgow where you can get a massive dose of nature without actually leaving the inner city, you need to lace up your trainers and head exactly where I went today. I walked for hours, easily clocking over 11,000 steps. Because I spent my entire afternoon trekking through beautiful trails, I officially decided: no gym for me yesterday! Nature provided all the cardio I needed. Here is everything you need to know about Glasgow’s ultimate hidden haven called Hamiltonhill Claypits LNR. The Essentials at a Glance A...

Possil Loch (more commonly known today as Possil Marsh) is a historic, shallow freshwater loch and nature reserve located in the north of Glasgow, Scotland, right next to Lambhill and the Forth and Clyde Canal . Despite being just a few miles from Glasgow’s bustling city center, it is a remarkably wild place and serves as a vital sanctuary for local biodiversity. Well, let me start by telling you how I got here. I really wanted to enjoy the sun yesterday, which was Sunday. I knew the week was already packed with work, and I did not want to lose my little fun time for the week. If you noticed, I have not been as active as I used to be with posting and sharing more personal travel trips, events and life stories like I love to do. Did anybody ask for me? Hahahahaha no. But I am here now. Yesterday, even though it was raining, I still decided to enjoy my day. I woke up to sunshine, but typical Scottish weather quickly changed and it started raining. Unlike my usual habit of staying tucked ...

Happy New Year, everyone! Welcome to 2026. This is officially my first travel post of the year, and I’m so excited to kick things off with a gem I found right here in Glasgow. If you missed my New Year’s post, I hope your year is starting off with peace and clarity. For me, it started with a trip to Hogganfield Loch (also known as Hogganfield Park). It wasn't a hard decision to head there; it popped up while I was browsing maps for nature spots, and the photos and Google reviews looked so promising. After church, I grabbed my gear and headed out—and let me tell you, it was the best decision. When I arrived, the first thing I noticed was how popular this place is! The car park was jam-packed. I had to circle around for a bit waiting for someone to leave, so keep that in mind if you're visiting on a weekend. There’s a cute little kiosk selling coffee and snacks, and honestly, business was booming today. Even though the sun was out, don't let those photos fool you—it was free...

Wow. I’m finally sitting down to try and process the sheer beauty, and honestly, the slight frustration, of the road trip we did last month. If you’re looking for a getaway that mixes stunning natural drama, deep industrial history, and some seriously gorgeous sunsets, this is your route. We packed in so much, starting with the rushing waters of Campsie Glen Waterfall , which was not planned and ending the day strolling along the historic Monkland Canal at Drumpellier Country Park, which is all part of the impressive Seven Lochs Wetland Park . Get ready for the full download—the good, the breathtaking, and the stuff we all need to do better about. Starting the day at Campsie Glen was the perfect call. After our woodland trek, we headed east and found our way to Drumpellier Country Park and the adjacent Monkland Canal. This is where the day turned into pure magic. As the afternoon light started to stretch and turn golden, we walked the well-maintained paths around Lochend Loch . The...

For my birthday this year, my partner and I embarked on the ultimate castle-hopping adventure, and our very first stop on June 11th was the magnificent  Newark Castle  in Port Glasgow.  If you, like us, are members of Historic Scotland, then it's  free entry. We had to wait a bit when we got there because the staff was on break. It gave us a chance to refuel; we had some snacks. The views over the River Clyde are just stunning, and there's this half-constructed, almost falling-apart bridge nearby with a barricade to keep folks safe—it added a bit of mysterious charm to the whole scene. And for all you birdwatchers out there, keep your eyes peeled—there were so many beautiful birds around. Plus, it's pretty cool to see the  Ferguson Marine shipbuilding  company nearby,  a real piece of Scottish industry right next to ancient history. Finally, the staff were back, we flashed our Historic Scotland memberships (always a win), and we were in.

I am absolutely stunned. Oh my gosh, some people are blessed with good voices, and John Legend is definitely one of them. He sounded even better than on his album; his voice is truly beautiful. I was smitten by his voice, and his energy was so calming and relaxing. I loved every minute of the show and enjoyed it so much; I'm so happy. It felt incredibly soothing, and my friend and I had a really good time. John is so talented and plays the piano so well. His performance was outstanding. He used the stage effectively, and his energy was pure. I wish him and his family the very best on his tour. The " Get Lifted " tour is all about his journey. He shared amazing insights and even told us about some songs he was part of that we didn't know he was. He has worked in the background with many popular musicians. My Outfit for the John Legend Concert For my outfit, I picked up this pink mini jumpsuit with flowers from River Island. I wanted something simple yet stylish and def...

If you’re in Glasgow and looking to step back in time, Provand’s Lordship is one place you absolutely don’t want to miss. Not only is it free to enter, but it also gives you a peek into Scotland’s medieval past. Open from 10 AM on some days and 11 AM on others (but closed by 5 PM), you’ll want to make sure you catch it during its limited hours. Provand’s Lordship is said to be the oldest house in Scotland, dating back to 1471! It’s had a recent £1.6 million restoration, though, to be honest, the renovations don’t exactly give off that ‘£1.6 million’ vibe, it gives way less. But that’s okay! The house is solid, built to last through centuries. Some of these old buildings are actually sturdier than many modern structures. Plus, Provand’s Lordship is one of only four surviving medieval buildings in Glasgow, so it’s a true piece of history! The nearby Cathedral, also the oldest in Glasgow, holds the crown as the city’s oldest building. The house was originally constructed by Andrew Muirhea...

It’s been a while since I posted a travel update—or has it really been that long? I’m not so sure. Either way, on October 10, 2024, I found myself ready to explore a part of the city I’d overlooked for too long: the Glasgow City Chambers, right in the heart of George Square. The building had always intrigued me, so I decided to step inside. A friendly receptionist greeted me and, sensing my curiosity, mentioned that a tour was about to begin. He handed me a pass and invited me to join, a golden opportunity to see the inner workings of this historic building. Each space showcased architectural splendor that seemed timeless yet perfectly in the bustling city center. The City Chambers, or the Municipal Buildings, as they’re also known, have been at the heart of Glasgow's government since 1889. Designed to reflect the city’s civic pride, this Category A listed building has served as the headquarters of Glasgow City Council since 1996, standing proudly on George Square’s eastern side, a...

Do you remember when I shared a post about the  Govan Stones ? Well, before our visit, we made an unexpected stop at a nearby church. We were actually on our way to buy sanitizer before the Govan Stones tour when we noticed this beautiful church right across from where we parked. It’s just a 1-minute walk from the Govan Stones, and we couldn’t resist checking it out! St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church Address: Govan Rd., Govan, Glasgow G51 When you're visiting Glasgow, a must-see historical church is  St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church , located in the heart of Govan. This architectural masterpiece, designed by John Honeyman in 1877-8, combines intricate Byzantine and Romanesque styles, creating a stunning visual experience for anyone who steps through its doors. The church’s exterior showcases beautiful red ashlar bands and coursed rubble, lending it a distinctive look. A striking round-headed doorway with delicate dogtooth molding greets you as you approach. Look up, ...