Looking toward Rathlin Island.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been talking about some key aspects of copywriting – why it’s important for your business, and how to do it more successfully. Hopefully these tips have helped.
This week, however, I’ve decided to diverge from my usual topics of choice. As most of you will know, my copywriting business, Claire Savage Editorial, is based on the north coast, so this week, I’m sharing the top 10 reasons why I love it here.
Why? Well, being a successful business depends on many things, and part of that is letting your customers/clients/readers find out more about you, the person. As I’ve said before, people buy from people, so it’s good to show a little of the personality behind the brand. 🙂
Rathlin Island in the distance.
10 reasons why I love the north coast…
1. Beautiful scenery: Living just a couple of minutes away from the Giant’s Causeway, I’m surrounded by gorgeous scenery, including beaches, cliffs and countryside. From Bushfoot Beach, which is a regular dog-walking haunt for me and my pup, to the more rugged White Park Bay and Ballintoy (with Rathlin Island always in view), as a north coast native these past 17 years, I’m rather spoilt for choice. That’s only in my own immediate stomping ground – beyond is Portrush and Portstewart; the Dark Hedges near Ballymoney and further on, Castlerock and the delights of Benone beach.
White Park Bay.
2. Wildlife: Bottlenose dolphins, shy porpoises and even basking sharks and the odd whale can be seen around the north coast. On a daily basis, you can also enjoy the myriad sea birds that populate the cliff-sides and coastal paths, including oyster catchers, herring gulls, great black-backed gulls and more. Eider ducks, the majestic gannet, cormorants and of course, crustaceans, jelly fish, seals and more are also a common sight for beach walkers.
3. Beaches: We’re lucky in Northern Ireland to have so many sandy beaches and, while the winter threw up a heap of rocks and pebbles upon most of the north coast beaches, come summer, the sand is sure to be back to its full glory again. In the meantime, who doesn’t enjoy stumbling over them, or trekking through the dunes for a more varied walk?!
Eider ducks at White Park Bay.
4. The sea: Home to cetaceans (dolphins, porpoises, whales), crustaceans, sea anemones, seals, seaweed and a multitude of other species, the sea is a treasure trove stuffed full of secrets. Whether it’s still as a lake, or stormy and turbulent, the sea is a captivating presence that laces the air with salt and provides a relaxing soundtrack to any wandering walker.
The track behind Bushfoot beach, Bushmills.
5: Village life: Bushmills is my closest village and nearby is Portballintrae, Portrush and Portstewart, as well as Ballycastle, Ballymoney and Coleraine. Okay, so a few of these might be towns, but I think the north coast life has a village feel to it. The community is close and there’s a shared pride I believe, in championing this picturesque area and investing in its future.
6. Independent businesses: From pop-up shops like ‘by the sea – life home art’ in Coleraine, which oozes simple coastal style, to The Millhouse and Gallery 1608 in Bushmills, as well as Coleraine’s The Chocolate Manor and The Arcadia in Portrush (to name but a few – sorry I can’t name you all!), there’s lots of choice when it comes to original retail. Crafts, sweet treats, art and more – the north coast has it covered!
7. Café culture: You don’t have to look hard to find a coffee shop on the north coast – from Ground Espresso Bars and Lost and Found in Coleraine, to the newly opened Dora’s Tea Room in Portrush and the Shorebird Coffee Hut in Ballycastle, you’ll always find rich roasted coffee and freshly baked cakes up north!
8. Walks: Whether you want to walk 20 minutes or go on for hours, the north coast is home to a whole host of stunning walks. Some of my favourites include the aforementioned White Park Bay, the Dunseverick cliff walk, Bushfoot beach and Ballintoy.
En route to Ballycastle!
9. Space: It might seem obvious, but I love the north coast because of all that space. With cliffs opening onto the sea, stretches of beach scattered along the coastline and lots of woodland and fields, it’s a nature-lover’s dream.
10. People: While I love the north coast as a quiet retreat, the local community is at the heart of all that goes on along the coast, and people like Alive Surf School in Portrush, The Bushmills Inn, the Ramore Restaurants and so many more, keep people coming back to this part of the world.
At the Dark Hedges near Ballymoney.
So, now you know a little more about where Claire Savage Editorial is based and some of the reasons why I love it up here on the north coast so much!
For a writer, it’s an inspiring place to be, so if you need a copywriter, just get in touch and I guarantee some sparkling content. 🙂