You Should Probably Go to Scotland

Whenever I thought about taking a trip to Scotland I was never sure what to expect. I imagined misty valleys, green landscape, and some pretty neat castles. Now while all of those things are true…I had never imagined the emotional connection I would feel to Scotland. The rich history, rugged scenery, friendly locals, and hearty pub food made for an atmosphere that you can’t find in many places. We based ourselves in Edinburgh for the trip which proved to be a great decision, giving us ample time to see the city but also gave us the opportunity to take a day trips outside the city. Scotland and Edinburgh deserves all of the acclaim given by myself and countless others. The countryside and city have a quality that is completely their own.

We spent quite a bit of our time in Edinburgh simply exploring the streets and nooks of the city, taking in that unique quality. As we made our way up to the historic district, the mist hanging mysteriously over the rugged Edinburgh Castle whispered a beckoning call to us. Strolling through the cobbled streets, narrow closes, and ancient cemeteries I was struck by the dark beauty of the architecture that seemed to match the even darker past.

The Streets of Edinburgh

All of the buildings seemed to still carry the layers of smoke that burned a hundred years ago. Yet on the other end of the Royal Mile, the crags of Arthur’s Seat loom over the west end of town. Edinburgh is a treasure trove of legend, mystery, and some of the most infamous people in history. With authors such as Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Walter Scott, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and J.K. Rowling hailing from here, you have to wonder if there is something in the air that has inspired such intriguing and legendary stories both fictional and real.

Once you depart from the city the landscape becomes more untamed, stretching on for miles with hills and crags rising up wildly. When we ventured out of the city we were able to experience some of those things that have been dubbed so quintessentially “Scottish”. This included a trip to a couple of castles, a distillery, a visit with one of the friendly highland coos (the adorable long haired cows), and viewing one of those famously “bonnie” lochs.

Getting to see the countryside turning from green into the riot of fall color was breathtaking, especially from the top of a castle or the base of the loch!

Sean and I usually try to travel off peak to save some money and avoid the heavy crowds, so we decided to book the trip for October. We had been concerned about the weather being an issue since Scotland has a history of being cold and rainy, especially in the fall. But we happily adjusted to the Scottish idea of “good weather”, which we figured out means unpredictable and can be categorized into “good weather for outdoors” and “good weather for the pub”.

So we just packed some extra layers, thick socks, and waterproof boots. But the stiff “breeze” proved a bit stronger than we expected, so we had to pick up some gloves and hats. Of course where better to pick those up than a region famous for their woolen goods!

When I reminisce about the unique atmosphere found in Scotland, I am reminded that it can be found not only in the unpredictable weather and beautiful landscapes, but also in the people that live there. The Scottish hold so much pride for their heritage, and rightly so. Their tumultuous and often brutal history has imbued a strong and independent culture that radiates to this day. Combine this with the ever mysterious and wild terrain and I am struck with the unbroken and beautiful Scottish spirit.