Loch Noble

Now open, and created by various members of the Noble family — especially Noa Noble (VonDutch Sweetwater) and Blossom Noble (Aaliyah Blossom), but with contributions from Sarah Noble (stellinaa) and others — is Loch Noble, a complex and beautifully designed sim that features a variety of urban and rural landscapes. Visitors arrive on the edge of a curving stone and wood walkway that tightly hugs a shoreline, with a stone overhang to left concealing the view of a small town nestled overhead, and upon emerging into the open have the choice of heading left toward the town or right toward a bucolic rural landscape lying on the far side of a brook. Throughout, the resplendent colors of fall foliage, with bright oranges, yellows and reds, catch one's eyes, and the region's environmental setting of Annan Adored's Morning Dream heightens the feeling of autumn. "You see so many grayish sims these days — we wanted an explosion of autumn colors here," Blossom explained.

I would urge visitors to first explore by foot, resisting any urge to fly about; taking the path up through the arches passageway into the small town is a good way to begin. This tidy urban center is home to several shops, including Noble's Baked Goods & Sweets, Siúr's Coffee & Tea Room, and The Laird's Inn (that's Big Al behind the bar, Blossom told me), along with the sim's office, where one can obtain information and can also teleport up to two shops — 4Real Poses and Stellicious, which offer poses and clothing far overhead. Consistent with the sim's name, Scottish flags lazily flap in the breeze. "It has a bit of England too," Blossom said, "but we went to Scotland several times and wanted to do a bit of a Scottish theme this time ... We tried to make the town a little bit [so] that people are able to roleplay there, or just take your date, your friends and chill."

The more rural portions of the sim — which account for about three-quarters of its entire space — provide so many paths and places to discover that it's likely more than a single visit will be necessary to find everything. Toward the southwest corner is the Noble private residence, which is inaccessible although visible, and toward the southeast a circle of standing stones suggestive of Stonehenge. From there, one can travel north, jumping across a chasm to reach the base of a massive stone outcropping, an apiary stationed at its lowest point. Winding paths lead to the desolate top of this small mountain, where twisted trees are swept by a fierce southern wind (top image). The observant explorer will spot an opening leading down into the earth, and here, amid caverns, one finds the club Escape, home to events every Friday night. (Other pathways also lead to the mountain's interior.) Throughout it all, Loch Noble offers opportunities to wander, explore, find romantic spots, gaze at waterfalls, and even kayak. If you enjoy your visit, please consider leaving a contribution at the office.