After a good night’s sleep, I started the morning with the hotel’s breakfast buffet and bravely sampled haggis for the very first time. 🥄 To my surprise, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be—but I can’t say I loved the texture. Still, when in Scotland, right?
After breakfast, I came back to my room for “just a quick rest”… which turned into a two-hour nap. Jet lag: 1, me: 0. But on the bright side, I woke up feeling refreshed and ready for the day.
A few of my friends and I headed out for some browsing—popping into shops and wandering around Waterstones to check out the books. Before long, it was time for our afternoon tea at Mackintosh at the Willow, one of Glasgow’s most historic tearooms.
This gem was originally designed in 1903 by the famed Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife, artist Margaret Macdonald. Together, they created a space that perfectly captures their signature Art Nouveau style. The tearoom has been beautifully restored, and sipping tea surrounded by that iconic design felt like stepping straight into another era. Afternoon tea itself was a leisurely affair—it took nearly 2 ½ hours from start to finish! Luckily, with friends, conversation, and plenty of tea sandwiches and scones, the time slipped by easily.
✨ Did You Know?
Glasgow is often called the “Dear Green Place”
because of its more than 90 parks and gardens. Mackintosh at the Willow is the only surviving tearoom designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Sticky toffee pudding—despite being such a British classic—only dates back to the 20th century. It’s said to have first appeared in the Lake District of England in the 1970s!
We returned to the hotel with just enough time to freshen up before the official welcome drink reception for our Bonnie Scotland tour. It was fun to meet a few of our fellow travelers before heading to dinner, which Globus had arranged for us. On the menu: a warm and comforting potato & leek soup, perfectly cooked sea bass, and the grand finale—sticky toffee pudding.
Now, sticky toffee pudding may just be my new favorite dessert. It’s a moist sponge cake made with finely chopped dates, covered in a luscious toffee sauce, and served with custard or vanilla ice cream. (Tonight, mine had ice cream!) Sweet, rich, and indulgent—let’s just say I didn’t leave a crumb behind.
Dinner lasted more than two hours, but with great company and laughter around the table, it was the perfect way to kick off our Scottish adventure. Tomorrow, the tour begins in earnest, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Cleared For Take-Off! 