Meet Lucky Heather
Blooming where life plants me
Hey there, I’m Heather!
Welcome to Lucky Heather! I’m a yank (that’s Scottish for ‘American’) who’s been lucky enough to call Glasgow home since 2012. I’m a writer, artist, editor, and lifelong journal-keeper, and I’ve dreamed of traveling the world for about as long as I can remember.
I embrace life’s adventures with an open mind (and a very small backpack). I love creating, learning, exploring, setting new goals, and sharing ideas and inspiration with others.
In this online journal, you’ll find travel tips for budget travelers, observations on expat life in Scotland, DIY ideas for small spaces, interviews with interesting people, and anything else that inspires me (but I promise to never use the word ‘inspo.’)
Why ‘Lucky Heather’?
Heather isn’t just my name—it’s also a hardy evergreen shrub that blooms across the wild Scottish Highlands, in every shade from purple and mauve to the rarer white ‘lucky’ variety.
Heather has long been a symbol of good fortune, thriving in tough conditions and regenerating after fire—a fitting metaphor for my life.
And ‘lucky’ because I’m an optimist. I’ve encountered setbacks, but I like to focus on gratitude and growth. My moody, broody 16-year-old self would never have dreamed I’d one day be living abroad in Scotland, traveling the world, writing, creating, learning everything there is to know about squirrels (I'm obsessed), and picking up hobbies like DIY, carpentry, sewing and sauna.
How I Travel
I love all kinds of affordable travel, including:
city breaks
budget/hostel travel
resorts
road trips
camping
off-the-beaten-path exploration
Travel is an education. It opens our hearts, widens our worlds, and reminds us how much there is to learn, appreciate, and laugh about. I’m always looking for a good deal and new places to explore.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness...”
What I Believe
I like to challenge some common myths:
Travel blogs have to be full of boring, AI-generated content.
Expat blogs have to be dry, SEO-optimized wastelands.
You can have too many hobbies. (The world is an infinitely interesting place.)
One of the things that enables me to travel so much is living on a smaller, more intentional scale. Living in a tiny home requires creativity and organization, and I want to share some of the ways I’ve learned to fit a big life into a small space.
Just for fun — a few things about me:
And because small details can tell big stories, here’s a bit more about the human behind the blog:
I have a sense of smell like a bloodhound. It’s a blessing and a curse.
I’m the oldest of 6 siblings.
My first trip abroad was a 6-week solo backpacking adventure through Western Europe. I stayed in hostels, walked everywhere, and lived on about $25 a day.
I mostly listen to rap (everything from Souls of Mischief to Busta Rhymes, J. Cole to Danny Brown) and jazz—but I skip the drum solos.
I feed squirrels and birds on my windowsill. The squirrels come inside when the window is open, and the crows leave me little gifts. I also post portraits of them on Class Critters, my Facebook illustration page.
I have trypanophobia (a strong fear of needles), and I tend to pass out when I see blood.
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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you find something here that sparks curiosity, creativity, and a whole lot of adventure.
Huge thanks and big love to graphic designers Burcu Koken for bringing the logo to life and Vince Dre for the collages, website wisdom, and good chat. I’m lucky to have such talented friends.