Was two months in Scotland worth the cost of living there — and what did it teach us about slow travel? In this episode of the Schengen Shuffle with Shellie, Shellie Bailey-Shah shares her honest wrap-up of living along Scotland’s Fife Coast outside Edinburgh with her husband and dog, Java.
From the castles, culture, and small-town charm that delivered, to the pricey Airbnb and last-minute cancellation of their WWOOFing stay at a castle and gin distillery, Shellie breaks down what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons she’s carrying into her next leg.
And here’s the big takeaway: real connection while traveling takes time — not days, but months.
Want to plan your own slow-travel adventure? Get your FREE Schengen Shuffle Report: The World’s Best Places to Retire in 2026 – International Living: https://signup.internationalliving.com/X1206811
It breaks down the Schengen rules and includes sample itineraries to help you plan your own extended European adventure.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Was Scotland Worth the Cost?
00:59 What Delivered: Exploring Scotland in Two Months
01:50 Living Amongst 800-Year-Old History
02:11 Scottish Culture, Festivals & the Highland Games
03:20 Small Town Life in Aberdour
03:39 Traveling With a Dog in Scotland
04:09 The Biggest Difference: Finding Community
04:47 Get Your Free Schengen Shuffle Report
05:15 What Didn’t Deliver: The Cost of Our Airbnb
05:43 Driving on the Left & Other Costs
06:03 Why Our WWOOFing Plans Fell Through
06:24 Lesson: Plan, Then Let Go of the Plan
07:06 Lesson: Why Housing Comes First Now
07:27 Lesson: Would We Try WWOOFing Again?
08:30 Get Your Free Schengen Shuffle Report
09:01 Final Thoughts & What’s Next
Subscribe to International Living for more real-world advice on living, traveling, and retiring overseas — and follow along as Shellie continues her two-year Schengen Shuffle across Europe.
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Credit to : International Living