Like many people in their 20s, I’ve spent most of the last decade drifting around. Moving from city to city for studying, then jobs, then more studying, fun, and occasionally just for a change of scene. I’ve lived in twelve different homes over the last ten years (if you count a short stint in my home on wheels, which I absolutely do). From the silliness of living in mouldy student accommodation in Bristol to insecure and eye-wateringly expensive London rentals with friends, before landing in a cozy flat in Glasgow. In between there were short spells in Brighton, France, and at home with my parents in Lochaline, Morvern.
Exactly a year ago, my partner and I took the leap and bought our first house. But instead of a flat in Glasgow or another city like many of my friends, we decided to move to Kinlochleven on the west coast of Scotland. We’d spent the previous 18 months grasping at any opportunity to leave the city, climbing hills, and swimming in the lochs at every chance we got. We wanted to be able to do that from our own front door.
The move was not quite as smooth as I’d hoped. A nasty case of burnout from working for a small charity meant I was suddenly unemployed and in desperate need of recovery. As I started to explore our new home, I began writing. Writing about the landscape around me, the people, and the process of making a home here. I feel ready to start sharing it, which is why I’ve started this blog.
When coming up with the name, the word hefting came to mind. It’s used by farmers to describe animals that stay in the same bit of hillside without the need for fences or shepherding. But I’ve only ever heard it used to describe people who are deeply rooted to a particular place. My Dad jokingly describes himself as being hefted to their garden in Morvern. To be fair, is is tricky to get him to leave it.
Hefting felt like the right word to describe this season of life, and I hope you’ll join me on the journey. I don’t know how regularly I’ll post, so make sure to subscribe below.
Love it. I'm very hefted.