Hi, I’m Jo, and I live with my little dog, Monty, in a small village in rural south-west Scotland, overlooking a sea loch.

This sea loch, in fact (points to header image).

Pretty nice, huh?

I moved up from England in September 2025, desperate for a change - so I burned my life down, and now I’m starting again.

I’m not sure I’d recommend this method, but I’m an all-or-nothing kinda gal. It’s just the way I am. I have form.

Ten weeks after arriving, I’d bought a little 2-bed cottage by the loch (okay, it’s a bungalow, but a girl can dream), and five months after that, I sold the company I’d run for 12 years but had outgrown.

I love working for myself, but it turns out that continuing to do something you used to love but have outgrown can make you a frazzled, burned-out wreck.

Who knew?

When I was young, if you’d said I’d end up living in a small village surrounded by cows, I’d have shuddered. And yet here I am.

And while I absolutely love it here, I wouldn’t say it’s my natural environment.

I'm an impatient, extremely organised, tidy control freak who does NOT like being cold, wet or dirty. I don’t even like my wellies being muddy, so rural Scotland is, urm… somewhat challenging, let’s say.

I’m currently building up an art practice - I used to be very arty years back, but somehow it fell by the wayside - but since I also love writing and taking photos, I’ve created this Substack as an additional creative outlet.

Postcards From The Loch is a kind of online journal where I write about:

• Adapting to rural life after 53 years living in towns and cities.

• Slow living and how I find peace as someone who isn't a naturally chill person.

• Nature, wildlife and other jaw-dropping things I come across in this beautiful little corner of Scotland.

• Other stuff that makes me happy, such as art, photography, books, houseplants, stationery and awesome things I come across that I think you might like.

So, if any of that appeals to you, then pop your name in the box to subscribe and follow along. Oh, and comment on my posts if you get a minute, so I know I’m not shouting into the void!

Thanks for being here - speak soon.

PS: Your hair looks amazing today.