Remote working: a week working from home in the Scottish Highlands

Hi, I’m Lizzie! I work in operations at Byway, and last week I travelled north from London to work remotely in the Scottish wilderness near the Isle of Mull. I had stunning views from my desk, and lots of time to explore the tumbling hills and peaceful lakes of Scotland’s Western Coast.

Putting the remote into ‘remote working’

After months working from home, my flatmates and I were starting to feel a bit like the walls in our small house in south London were closing in on us. So, inspired by Megan and Scott’s recent holiday, we decided to make the most of office closures to escape to the Scottish Highlands for a week, putting the remote into remote working. A sort of half holiday, half working-week, it was like nothing I’ve experienced before, but it definitely beat being in London where the routine was starting to get a little bit dull. The usual Zoom background noise of bin lorries and wailing sirens became waves breaking on the sand and the patter of rain hitting the window. Some might ask whether it’s really possible to relax given that you’re working, and may argue that there’s no point doing things by halves, but the semi-holiday might just be the exception to that rule. We’ve come home feeling refreshed and reinvigorated and enjoyed the benefits of going away, all without using up those precious holiday days.

The journey north

The journey north was long and beautiful, and after a stop at Loch Lomond the landscape transformed to reveal rolling mountains, sweeping valleys and deep blue lochs - it was worth the journey just for the cinematic views. A small village on the edge of Loch Aline was our home for the week, and after arriving in the afternoon, we strolled along the shore watching the hills of the Isle of Mull turn rosy in the warm light of the setting sun.

My working day in the Highlands

Starting our mornings with a crisp walk through the fields past friendly highland cows overlooking the silent, still loch or even taking an exhilarating dip in the sea with the local seal, we made the most of being in such a stunning environment. Pauses in the day to sip piping hot coffee whilst looking out to sea brought a sense of calm, no matter what was going on online. The weather was mixed but we didn’t care if it rained, in fact there’s something rather cosy about looking up from your computer to a storm outside. Evenings were spent exploring the local area, wrapping up in hats and scarves to sit outside for a glimpse of the Northern Lights, and falling asleep to the howling wind after cosy nights by the fire watching films or playing cards.

Remote working has opened up the possibility to travel to faraway places without being restricted by work commitments. There is no longer a need to squash as much fun as possible into a week off work. We’ve been forced to slow down, explore what’s close to home and have learned the joy and delight that can only be found in slow travel. If this is what the future of flexible working holds, let’s embrace it with open arms!

If you’re keen to escape to the Highlands for a week’s remote working, we can organise it for you! Get in touch for more information.

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Walking in the Yorkshire Moors: Rob and Catherine’s Byway

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The Scottish Highlands: Megan and Scott’s Byway