Where in the World is Dakota?

💬 Info Blurb:

October 3 started slow and easy, with crisp air, rising winds 🌬️, and a sense of anticipation for another day of Scottish adventures. From leisurely walks through the city streets to indulgent pastries at Lannan Bakery 🥐, a crafting workshop in St. Andrews 👜, and a wild, stormy ride back to Edinburgh 🌧️💨, this day was all about savoring small joys, meeting fascinating people, and embracing the unexpected. By the end, cozy couches, warm food, and comfy shoes were the ultimate rewards after miles of exploration and excitement.

🍃 A Slow, Leisurely Start to October 3

October 3 started out as a slow, leisurely morning. The weather was crisp, the wind picking up — felt like I was approaching Casper, Wyoming. I hung around the common gathering area at my lodging, which had cozy couches, game tables, and a full kitchen for guests.

They also had a world map where travelers could stick a pin from their hometown. Greeley, CO — you’re officially on the map now! 🗺️ Around it were travel quotes, and I snapped a few of my favorites:

“People don’t take trips—trips take people.” — John Steinbeck
“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Once a year go someplace you’ve never been before.” — Dalai Lama
“A wise man travels to discover himself.” — James Russell Lowell
“The journey, not the arrival, matters.” — T.S. Eliot
“Travel far enough, you meet yourself.” — David Mitchell
“Travel makes one modest; you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” — Gustav Flaubert

🥐 Worth the Wait: Lannan Bakery

After a slow, easy morning, I set out toward Lannan, another irresistible TikTok find I just had to try. The walk there was lovely — crisp air filling my lungs, the wind brushing past like a familiar friend, and beautiful views all around 🏞️. From one hilltop, I could see across the waters toward northern Scotland, which made me even more excited for my Highlands adventure the next day.

Every step through the neighborhoods felt like walking onto the set of a film 🎬. I adore historical fiction, and for a moment, it felt like Emily in Paris — but make it Dakota in Scotland 🇬🇧✨.

When I reached the bakery, a queue was already winding down the street (always a good sign!). I joined the back of the line, secretly hoping it would live up to the hype.

Even if the pastries hadn’t been incredible, the wait was worth it for the company alone. In front of me was a gal from London 🇬🇧 visiting for a friend’s wedding; behind me, a retired local petroleum engineer picking up his weekly bread 🥖. We joked about buying out the bakery before he got his loaf — all in good fun, of course. She gave me some great insight on other places to travel to in Europe, and even London if I make a trip there. The gentleman told me about some of his favorite local spots, which was a great glimpse into how people really live here. I’ve found that while I enjoy some “touristy” things, my favorite travel experiences come from seeing the way locals live — where they shop, eat, and gather.

When we finally got inside (nearly an hour later!), the smell alone was intoxicating — buttery, sweet, and warm. And options there were! I kick myself for not having taken a photo inside the bakery of the decadent options that were available. I ended up choosing two things:

🥐 Almond Croissant — twice-baked with almond frangipane and flaked almonds. Just look at the side of this croissant!! It was literally the size of my head! Did I eat every last morsel? You bet I did! Every luxurious crumb was pure buttery perfection.
🍫 Caramelised Almond & Chocolate Pastry — which I planned to save for breakfast…but definitely ate later that day (oops).

Final verdict: Lannan was well worth the wait. Next time I’m back in Edinburgh, I might just stockpile those almond croissants — one for every day of my life! 😋💛

🛍️ Lunch & Crafting: Pho Before the Workshop 🍜👜

After dropping off my pastries and shopping finds 🧳, it was time for a quick lunch before heading to St. Andrews for the bag-making workshop. I stopped at a bustling mall, four or five stories tall, full of shops and food vendors. With Storm Amy rolling in, everyone was crowding inside, trying to stay warm and dry 🌧️. I chose a bowl of pho — rare steak only, as they were out of brisket. The steaming broth, tender noodles, and fresh herbs were exactly what I needed to warm up and recharge. It wasn’t Pho Duy in Greeley, but it hit the spot perfectly after my morning of walking and bakery indulgence 🥢.

Once I finished, I made my way to the train station for St. Andrews. Navigating the ticket kiosks was a bit overwhelming at first with all the signage, but the friendly “station grandpa” helped me purchase my tickets both ways, making sure I’d have no issues with the journey 🚆.

From there, the train ride gave me time to admire the city and countryside, catching glimpses of neighborhoods, coastlines, and historic buildings, all while thinking ahead to designing my Harris Tweed bag 👜.

🚆 All Aboard: Edinburgh to St. Andrews

After finishing my warming bowl of pho 🥢, I made my way to the train station to catch the train to St. Andrews for my bag-making workshop. Navigating the ticket kiosks was a bit overwhelming at first, with multiple signs and options, but the friendly “station grandpa” helped me purchase tickets both ways, making sure I’d be all set for the journey. His warmth and humor immediately put me at ease.

As I waited for the train, I couldn’t help but notice how much the station must have inspired J.K. Rowling when creating the Hogwarts train experience. The brickwork, the columns, the benches — everything felt like it belonged in a magical story ✨.

While waiting, I met a lovely couple from Belfast, Ireland, on their way to visit family. We shared stories and laughs about the beauty of St. Andrews, and I loved hearing about their grandchildren’s adventures. It’s these kinds of moments — chatting with locals and travelers alike — that make journeys so memorable.

Once on the train, the scenery didn’t disappoint 🌿🏞️. Rain and wind whipped against the windows as we traveled, but the views of the city, countryside, and coastline made it all worth it. I couldn’t help but think about how lucky I was to be immersed in this mix of culture, history, and breathtaking landscapes.

The train ride was smooth and allowed me to mentally prepare for the workshop ahead — designing my very own Harris Tweed bag 👜. I was excited to blend traditional Scottish craftsmanship with my own personal style, and the anticipation made the journey fly by.

👜 Crafting My Own Piece of Scotland: Harris Tweed Workshop

Once I arrived in St. Andrews, I made my way to the Islander Store for my bag-making workshop. The weather was still rainy 🌧️, so I didn’t take as many photos as I might have, but the excitement of creating my own bag more than made up for it.

For years, I had wanted a Harris Tweed bag — the traditional handwoven Scottish wool is dyed, spun, and woven entirely in the Outer Hebrides, and it has a protected designation under the Harris Tweed Act of 1993. The quality, craftsmanship, and history behind it are incredible, and I knew that building my own would be a far more memorable experience than simply purchasing one off the shelf.

Inside the store, I had to decide whether to stick with my originally booked bag or switch to a different style. I debated between a backpack and a medium satchel but eventually settled on the satchel, excited to customize every detail. I chose the body of the bag, the lid, the straps, the handle, and even the crossbody color 🎨.

During assembly, I found myself helping a few of the other participants with their bags — the photos I have are from these moments. Once all the bags were completed, I realized that my satchel matched my outfit perfectly — clearly, even my bag has great fashion sense 😏.

By the time the workshop ended, I had a custom Harris Tweed satchel in my hands, built entirely by me — a tangible memory of Scotland, full of color, history, and personal flair 🧵✨. Walking away with it felt like carrying a little piece of Scottish heritage with me.

🚆 Back to Edinburgh: Stormy Travels & Evening Adventures 🌧️💨

After finishing the bag workshop in St Andrews, I wasn’t about to walk back to Edinburgh, and let’s be real—my Day 1 Airport Marathon training hadn’t prepared me for a trek through puddles, crowded platforms, and slippery sidewalks! Determined to avoid that, I skipped dinner in St Andrews as originally planned and boogied back to the bus and train station. Storm Amy was rolling in with heavy rain and strong winds 🌧️💨.

The journey back was intense. The train moved slower than usual, battling the storm, and I couldn’t help but think how much that airport sprint had almost trained me for this kind of chaos 😅. I found a spot in the railcar with a father-daughter duo, and their cheerful banter and video logging of their day helped lighten the mood. The daughter was planning to study English, and she asked for some advice on what to do and remember while pursuing her studies—such a thoughtful conversation in the middle of a stormy train ride!

The father-daughter duo were delightful company, chatting about their travels and life, while I soaked in the dramatic stormy scenery. By the time we arrived in Edinburgh, everyone was hungry, cold, and ready to refuel.

💨 Nightlife in Edinburgh

I was exhausted, hungry and decided to grab a quick bite at The Standing Order, a former bank turned pub. Fun fact: this spot had been recommended to me by someone I know in Italy and the friendly local gentleman from Lannan Bakery earlier that day—clearly, it was meant to be! 🍔

I was so stared that I forgot to snap photos of the beautiful building-but I did capture my burger, which hit the spot perfectly. Feeling my second wind, I wandered to another nearby pub for some live music and a pint..or more. 🍺🎶.

While there, I met a lively group of friends who invited me to go dancing 💃🎵. The pub had become too crowded with Scottish men I didn’t care to converse with any longer, so we headed to a nearby club instead. The energy was infectious, and we danced the night away. After one of the friends got drenched in a spilled beer 🍺😅, we moved to the balcony for a bit more space and continued enjoying the music. Eventually, everyone headed off to their friends’ college dorms, and I made my way back to the hostel 🛌.

Gear That Saved the Day

If only I had my umbrella—I could’ve Mary Poppin’ed my way through the wind and rain ☔✨. Even so, I was seriously impressed with my Amazon trench coat and De Florance shoes 👢💨. I had purchased the first edition DF Cloud Sneakers specifically for all the walking I knew I’d be doing in Italy, and when the 2.0 version launched, I grabbed an additional color. The improvements to the insole were insane—literally like walking on clouds ☁️. I kept swapping the 2.0 insole into whichever color I wore that day. They were casual enough to wear with a slightly dressed-up outfit yet perfectly supportive for miles of walking. My feet stayed completely dry the entire day—a huge win, since I despise wet socks. I even almost brought my hiking boots from Colorado, but in hindsight, I’m so glad I didn’t—they would have been total overkill.

🛌 Ending the Day

After a long, wet, and adventure-filled day, I retruned to my lodging, took a hot shower, and crawled into my bunk for a cozy night’s sleep. Despite the wind, rain, and long miles, I felt fulfilled, inspired, and ready for whatever Scotland had in store next✨.

Helping out the other’s in my group to get their bags assembled.