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Little Tin Houses

An analog journal of alternative & rural living.
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A Night in the Volvo

September 05, 2025

Accommodation in Scotland during the summer is…. extortionate. Even a campsite pitch is expensive, in my opinion. But, the need for a change of scenery can be strong so we decided to book the cheapest, none electric pitch we could find up on the coast, and wing it.

Luckily we have a Volvo estate car with a shit tonne of space in the back, and it happens to be exactly the same size as our mattress, so in that went. A couple of blankets, some pyjamas, a folding chair and coffee essentials and we were good to go.

We’re fine with simple set-ups. We didn’t even take any cooking equipment as we knew there was food on-site and honestly, who can be arsed to do dishes when they’re camping. The campfire wasn’t planned either, we actually used a leftover folding fire pit that some previous camper had irresponsibly, but handily, left behind.

A great night with walks on the beach, burgers by the fire, a couple of beers and a surpisingly cosy night sleeping in the car. Sometimes the simplest getaways are the best.

The next day we took the opportunity to head out on a walk in a different area, which ended up being a super interesting loop around a small peninsula. A really nice stretch of coastline with rocky paths, marked with arrows painted onto the rocks. Pebble beaches, and a few holiday cottages tucked away, as well as a few rustic buildings scattered around made for good viewing and photograph opportunities.

The only slightly negative thing about the trip was the strangely overly aggressive bloke living in a caravan outside the public toilets in the village. I’d practically just zipped up my bloody trousers and stepped foot outside before he pounced on me asking for a donation for the upkeep. Give me a chance, mate.

The Early Days

August 28, 2025

These were taken around late April, just after we arrived to our new caravan spot on Skye, and were settling in. I spent a lot of time wandering down to the beach opposite with a flask of coffee, not believing my luck, then heading back down again hours and hours later when the sun was going down, to see it in that golden hour light.

After spending winter at a temporary spot on a campsite where I didn’t really have any outside space, it was an absolute joy to be able to potter around outside again. Salvaging pallets to use as a deck, and creating a little patio for myself outside. I live to potter. It’s the main thing I missed about living on the road in a van, where we were moving daily and existing in public car parks. You can’t just potter around outside, fixing things and making things look pretty and rearranging things. It’s the unwritten rule to not allow your living situation to spill over into the outside world unless you’re at an official campsite, and even then, there’s only so much you can really do without looking insane, so being on our own private pitch, man, I am spilling out everywhere.

Also, being late April, it was pre-midge season. Glorious.

Early Mornings on a Bike

August 22, 2025

Back when we were staying in the Cairngorms, I really discovered the joy of cycling. I explored plenty of the local forest and gravel tracks, and found my feet in the pedals pretty much every single day, even if it were just for a short power ride.

When we left that area, we spent a summer back on the road in a luton van, and then a winter in the tiny caravan up on the North East coast, in Findhorn. I did eventually pull my bike out of storage, and got in a few morning coffee rides to the beach before we left for Skye.

After a few months settling in here, I’ve truly got the itch back to be out and about on my bike. In fact, I just took advantage of Steven being off work for a week and being able to babysit the dog, that I’m sat here writing this truly aching from head to toe. I totally overdid it. BUT, on this morning’s village loop, which I finish at the beach for a coffee and breakfast, I spotted a guy camping in a tiny tent, with his bike next to him. What a spot. Such a simple set up, and obviously allows him to stop and camp pretty much anywhere, cycling away in the morning.

Obviously I’m aware of bike packing, and it’s played on my mind before, but after seeing that tent this morning…. Well, let’s just say I’ve written a quick list of everything I would need for a simple overnight camp ride. It’s something I’m thinking about aiming for, for next spring or summer. Or you never know, sooner.

Anyways, these shots have been taken on my recent rides. Super early mornings around the local village, and a few slightly further afield, while out searching for good routes on the island that avoid roads (I’m still not overly keen on riding on roads, especially not during tourist season on Skye). As they were back in the Cairngorms, early mornings are my favourite. It’s a different type of quiet, and it feels like you have the world to yourself. Another reason why I feel like waking up in a tent with my bike beside me would be something I’d love.

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