Edinburgh / Scotland
Day 1
Hogmanay, the Scots word for the last day of the year. This is where we spent our first New Years Eve in Europe. After a day to recover in London from a snowboarding trip in Chamonix we were up before dawn and caught the train from Euston station all the way up through London and into the heart of Edinburgh. The majority of people traveling from outside of Scotland come to Hogmanay mainly for the street party and fireworks on NYE. But Hogmanay has many traditions and is deeply rooted in Scottish culture.
We weren’t alone, our awesome friends from Dunedin had come up as well. After we had checked into our accommodation we made our way back into the city and ate and drank the night away. Pub, fancy cocktail bar, catching the torchlight procession, ending in a seafood coma.
Our eats - King George IV / The Dome / Mussell Inn
Day 2
New Year’s Eve day. We thought we better do some sightseeing so we headed up to the Castle first thing in the morning. The trick here is to get your ticket online, then print it at the kiosk as you enter the Castle grounds. And if you get there at 9:30am when it open you won’t have to wait at all. It was super windy and cold up on the hill and we opted to join a free walking tour that covered all the basics. But there are self-guided audio tours for the super keen. It will also our first Airbnb experience where breakfast was included! Our host was super nice, as was her place. Easily the best experience so far.
After bearing the cold wind for long enough we parted ways with our friends and headed across town for some lunch via Calton Hill. Our host had recommended a place for brunch/lunch, they were fully booked but had a sister restaurant across town. We were lucky and managed to get the last table! 2 proper courses for £10. And it was amazing. We then headed back to the Airbnb where I snored for a solid 30 minutes (probably could have slept all the way into the new year) before we got ready to head out again. We met up at a pub where we awaited Alyx and Jay-z’s Kiwi and Aussie duo they befriended in Barcelona. Also by absolute chance, an old friend from back home in Hamilton was in the same pub having a drink. We headed into the street party, shuffled around and got crammed in like cattle.
Our eats - Educated Flea / Three Birds / The Black Cat
Day 3
We found a spot for the fireworks, talked to some people, drank, then tried to find a toilet. Not an easy feat when there's tens of thousands trying to do the same. Eventually, we walked home, KFC in hand. Hello 2017. Technically as soon as it hit midnight it was Day 3 for us.
After a sleep-in and breakfast at the Airbnb we went for a walk up to Brunstfield and then up to Morningside. Nothing was really open but there were a couple of cafes open. We came across Salt Cafe and had some lunch there, more mussels! That was it for the day really, we headed back, had a bit of a rest then it was back on the train to London.
Our eats - Salt Cafe
I love creating images that speak to me.
I grew up in a small town that nobody really knows about, Levin. Spent a good ten years in Hamilton making some of the best friends anyone could have. And now I’m living, working and playing in the city of Auckland, New Zealand. Also a small country that people have trouble locating – I’m looking at you America!
Life is about stories, and that’s what I love to capture and document. My shooting style is unobtrusive. You may be a natural in front of the camera, or have no idea what to do but before we even start I’ll make sure you’re comfortable and relaxed.
Things I love: Travelling to wherever I can, my partner Monita, homemade burgers, wood fired pizzas, the smell of rain on a hot summers day, mountains, the snow, sunsets and sunrises, star gazing, natural light, the aesthetic of wood, crashing waves and day dreaming.