I'm wrapping up my fifth year living (previously studying, and now working) in Belfast, Northern Ireland. I originally hail from a seaside town on the West Coast of Scotland, but I moved away 7 years ago to study in Perth, Scotland, and I've gone from there to Belfast, to South Carolina, to Northern California, and back to Belfast again.

Formerly a homebird, I now try to expose myself to people, experiences, and places that push me further out of my comfort zone and into the world around me. I used to think travelling was scary and that the big adventures other people were having were too expensive and unreachable for me, but now that I know better, I don't think I'll ever stop travelling - or urging other people to start listening to that wee voice inside them telling them to get out there.

It took me until the end of my year abroad in the States to truly learn that travelling solo doesn't mean travelling alone; my experiences couch surfing in the States re-instilled my faith in humanity and have offered me new friendships. I don't know why I wasted so many nights in soulless hotels on past trips.

When I'm not working, I'll be available to host and give back into this wonderful community, and I hope that unmet friends will continue to host me in it!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To meet people whilst travelling (arguably the best part of it) and to reciprocate with other travellers when I'm home.

Interests

I love discovering new music - I'll take any recommendations you have and give them the three-play rule! I write occasionally, game every now and then, drink too much coffee, and I love trying new things (but usually never getting very good at them, i.e. slacklining or bouldering), and gazing up at the sky or a good tree canopy. I'm also a massive fan of mad hats and big, 'ugly' jumpers, and sitting by firelight - preferably dram or pint in hand, listening to someone go to town on a harmonica or a fiddle.

• yoga
• board games
• live music
• camping
• travelling
• watching movies
• deep conversations
• meeting new people
• card games
• exploring nature
• progressive politics
• mountain hiking
• reading novels

Music, Movies, and Books

Electric Light Orchestra, Alt-J, Death Cab for Cutie, William Fitzsimmons, Ray Lamontagne, AC/DC, Beyoncé, Damien Rice, Feist, Kate Bush, Sugarcult, Anberlin, BOY, Bronze Radio Return, Keaton Henson, Elvis Presley, Alabama Shakes, City and Colour, The Civil Wars, Arcade Fire, James Vincent McMorrow, The Tallest Man On Earth, Micheal Jackson, Doris Day

V for Vendetta, Grease, the Hunger Games series, LOTR, Disney Classics, Toy Story, Pride and Prejudice, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Chicago, The Duchess, most Marvel films, The Imitation Game, Withnail & I, A Monster Calls

His Dark Materials, The Harry Potter Series, The Old Kingdom Series, At Spindle's End, the Girl in Time's Square, anything by Nora Roberts, Karen Marie Moning's Fae series, Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five, Edwidge Danticat's The Farming of Bones

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The azure blue Río Celeste waterfalls in Costa Rica - wow! Put it on your bucket list, it's worth the hike.

Did a tandem Skydive from 10,000 ft over Strathallen in Scotland in April 2015. Those 32 seconds of being untethered to the world in freefall, body surfing a cushion of air at 121 miles per hour, were probably the most incredible of my life so far.

Indescribable Yosemite.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Friendship and fun! I'm also not a bad cook, and if you're working on anything I'll happily proof read it for you.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Northern Ireland, Scotland, United States