Seeking solitude
Have you ever longed to return to simpler times, drop everything and escape into the wild?
There has long been a fantasy of mine — to escape. Growing up in the pre-digital world has left me nostalgic for simpler times. No phones, no screens, no distractions. Just mountain climbing, sea swimming, reading books on trains, cooking over a fire, mushroom picking in autumn, berry picking in summer, writing letters, sending postcards, and drawing! I often find solace scrolling through Rightmove, searching for very remote, tiny cottages in Scotland, dreaming of a hideaway where I could revel in solitude, warmed by a fire, with a book in hand, completely disconnected.
Last August, I moved to a secluded cottage in a valley in Sussex - no phone signal, blissful isolation. Or so I thought. When we lost our broadband and landline, the charm quickly wore off. I am now several weeks into this complete isolation. What I once thought of as a romantic retreat has, in the reality of the digital age, quickly turned into quite an ordeal. While I’m not ready to abandon my escapist’s dreams, they have certainly taken on a new, more grounded perspective - isolation can be blissful when chosen, challenging when forced.
I’m excited to share with you three properties in Scotland that I was considering for my escapist move. The first is a perfect traditional stone cottage (a registered croft) on the tranquil island of North Ronaldsay, known for its seaweed-eating sheep and migrating birds, offering a serene backdrop for a simpler life or an occasional escape when needed. The other two listings have the most incredible views and all hold promise as beautiful renovation projects.
DISCONNECTING
The good news is you don’t have to buy a croft and become a shepherd in Scotland to escape modern life. It seems I’m not alone in needing to turn off my phone and just sit somewhere remote, surrounded by nature and engaging only in analogue activities that feed the soul.
A few years ago, I came across Unplugged, a then-small and quite niche company. They build simple off-grid cabins just outside major cities, perfectly designed for three-day digital detoxes. Unplugged now offers a choice of 20 such cabins, inviting you to return to the basics: swap your smartphone for board games, books and physical map, lock away technology to go fully offline, and recharge amidst nature.
I haven’t had a chance to try these cabins yet, and at the moment, after being forcibly cut off by the 'internet gods' for over a month, I don’t think I’ll need a three-day escape for a while, but I’m sure my time will come!
RECONNECTING
Interestingly, amidst this current tech-induced chaos, simplicity is what I still crave most. It’s not just about wanting a break from being constantly connected and our lives becoming increasingly digital and always on. This wonderful hut in Herefordshire, where I stayed when I wanted to escape it all, answered all my needs. There is no phone signal, and intentionally no wifi. Or electricity! It’s decorated in the simplest way and it’s absolutely perfect. Candlelit dinners, night-time stargazing for trips to the outdoor loo, and falling asleep to the crackling fire. I thought places like this didn’t exist anymore. Yet, here it was, this hut, probably my favourite escape in recent years.
The highlight, and an unforgettable experience, was the shower. It's an open-air shower with hot water (which was a lovely surprise considering the hut is completely off-grid) and the most breathtaking view. There is something incredibly sensual about showering as the sun’s gentle rays tenderly warm your skin. I don’t remember another stay that allowed me to engage with my senses so intensely.
It’s a unique space that helps you reconnect to nature and your own body, and also focuses your mind. Whether you are looking to settle your emotions, do some deep thinking, reconnect with yourself or fully immerse in the world around you, I cannot recommend this place highly enough. I hope it will never change.
While the Unplugged concept is brilliant, nothing beats this kind of unscripted authenticity that such a simple hut can offer. I just hope Amber, the host of this Airbnb, will always see the value in the simplicity she offers. It’s becoming increasingly rare these days, and being able to access a world I thought I had lost forever is priceless. Sometimes, the simplest things are the most profound.
Ax
You can all respond to this email from your inbox and share your thoughts. Your message will reach me directly. What are your feelings on complete isolation: a romantic retreat or a challenging reality? Share your experiences!