My creative pilgrimage through England & Scotland

Some trips are vacations.

Others stay with you forever.

This spring, I fulfilled a lifelong dream and travelled to England and Scotland for the very first time. While many people visit for the history, castles, or breathtaking scenery, I had another purpose in mind. As a surface pattern designer, I embarked on a creative pilgrimage, viewing every museum, village, and landscape through a designer's eye, always searching for historical inspiration.

There was another reason this journey meant so much to me. My Grandmother comes from the Macbeth clan, so travelling through Scotland also felt like following a small piece of my own family history. I've always loved traditional Scottish tartans, so I simply couldn't resist bringing home a joyful House of Balmoral throw—a souvenir that will always remind me of this unforgettable adventure and keep me warm during the long, cold winter evenings back home in Quebec.

1.Cawdor Castle 2.Macbeth Tartan 3.Highland Living book bought at the Cawdor Castle 4.Airbnb room in RoseHall, Highlands (I’ve bought this blanket in a Glasgow shop and I was so excited to find it)

Liberty London & the V&A Museum

Stepping inside Liberty London was everything I had imagined. I've admired Liberty fabrics for years, and finally seeing those iconic prints in person was a dream come true. Every room was filled with beautiful textiles, stationery, and home décor that celebrated craftsmanship and timeless design.

Another unforgettable stop was the Victoria & Albert Museum. I spent hours exploring the decorative arts galleries, especially the section dedicated to William Morris. Seeing his original wallpapers and tapestries up close reminded me why his work has been such an important influence on my own creative journey.

1. Liberty London 2. Liberty fabric June Garden Tana Lawn Cotton 3. Liberty tulips by William Morris fabric 4.Clover Club in Robin's Egg from Liberty Interiors 5. William Morris Acanthus gouache painting 6. William Morris Bird and Anemone Upholstery fabric 7. William Morris Wreath Wallpaper 8. William Morris Wild TulipWallpaper.

Scotland Through a Designer's Eyes

The dramatic landscapes, winding roads, and ever-changing skies were simply unforgettable. Every stop offered new colours, textures, and details to admire. I found myself taking hundreds of photographs of stone walls, weathered doors, gardens, ironwork, wildflowers, and historic architecture—small details that often become the starting point for future pattern collections.

The Scottish Highlands completely captured our hearts. The dramatic scenery, rolling hills, misty glens, and ancient castles felt both wild and timeless. One of the most memorable moments was walking along the banks of the River Spey. As passionate salmon anglers, being there was nothing short of magical. I couldn't help but imagine the countless stories carried by those waters over the centuries.

One unexpected highlight was touring the decommissioned Royal Yacht Britannia. Queen Elizabeth had decorated many of the royal rooms with William Morris fabrics, making the visit even more meaningful for someone who has long admired his work.

In Glasgow, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum was another favourite. The Arts & Crafts collection and the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh offered yet another perspective on Scottish design history and craftsmanship.

1. Spey River 2. Sheep 3. Dunnottar Castle 4. Charles Rennie Mackintosh statue 5. Restroom on the Royal Yacht Britannia with William Morris curtains. 6. Glasgow Rose Stained Glass 7. Ann Macbeth was a British embroiderer, designer, teacher and author. She was a member of the Glasgow Movement and perhaps she is part of my family tree!

The Magic of the Cotswolds

It's impossible not to fall in love with the Cotswolds. With their honey-coloured stone cottages, blooming English gardens, climbing roses and wisterias, and winding village streets, these picturesque villages seem untouched by time. Around every corner, I found another scene worth photographing, happily filling my camera with inspiration.

1. Cotswolds Wisterias 2. Castle Comb swans 3. Cirencester pastel street.

A Perfect Ending

There couldn't have been a better way to end the trip than visiting the British Museum and the William Morris Gallery in London.

Standing in the home where Morris once lived, surrounded by his original work, felt like the perfect conclusion to this UK trip. His belief that beauty belongs in everyday life continues to inspire the way I approach my own designs.

I returned home to Montreal with hundreds of photographs, a few carefully chosen books, and more inspiration than I could possibly use all at once.

Some of those ideas will quietly find their way into future collections. Others will simply remain treasured memories of a journey that reminded me why I fell in love with surface pattern design in the first place.

Thank you for following along. I hope you enjoy this little selection of my photographs from this unforgettable adventure.

Monique

1. William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park, London 2. Monique visiting the Gallery 3. Liberty working drawing 4. “CREATE” Mural in Walthamstow 5. William Morris gouache detail 6. William Morris bronze bust on Compton printed cotton, designed by Morris in 1896