Scotland is awesome, and anyone who visits will probably love their time. But, as with anywhere, there are some things that first-time explorers might want to know, things that might help you to plan a better trip, to be more comfortable while there, or just to manage expectations properly. Here are a few of those…
I knew I’d like Edinburgh. But I didn’t realize just how much I’d love the city. It is historic, beautiful, full of exciting things to see and wonderful people to meet. Scotland’s capital really has a ton going for it, for a short trip or a long stay. I spent a month solid in Edinburgh,…
A day spent at a castle is almost by definition a good day. There is just something magical, something mystical, about a castle. Fortress, manor home, commercial center, power projector… castles were the ultimate symbol of medieval might, and remain a source of intrigue today. This one is no exception. Most visitors to Edinburgh make…
One of the best parts of travel is the food. With basically no exceptions, every place in the world has good food. While some cuisines are more or less to my particular palate, eating what the locals eat, what places do well, will typically be a terrific experience. Yes, even in Scotland. Scottish food has…
Before coming to Scotland, I’d never heard of Dundee. It is Scotland’s fourth largest city (after Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen), a UNESCO City of Design, and boasts a couple of sights that are truly worthy of planning a day around. And yet for me, and I’m guessing for most Americans, the mention of Dundee would…
Some of Edinburgh’s history, which dates back well over a thousand years, is quite obvious. Edinburgh Castle dominates the city center, itself dating to the eleventh century. (Click here to read more about Edinburgh Castle.) From here, the Royal Mile stretches past historic St. Giles Cathedral and onto the royal palace at Hollyrood, lined with…
I love Edinburgh. I adore the history, the architecture, the excitement. But sometimes the central part of the city gets a bit crowded, and heading a little further afield makes for a nice getaway, even if only for a few hours. And when that getaway has some good food and drinks, an interesting history, and…
If you ever want to be truly despised in Scotland, call it England. You could be excused for saying the United Kingdom (though most Scots think of themselves as Scottish first and British second) and you’d be even forgiven - or laughed at - for calling it France by mistake. But England? Not a chance.…
If you could sum up what the Scottish Highlands means in a single day, this might just be it. Craggy peaks, pristine waters. Blue skies, dark rain clouds. Castles and villages, shaggy cows and friendly people. Winding, meandering roads all seeming to lead somewhere beautiful and magical. I set out from Inverness, at 50,000 the…
An early morning on the shore of Loch Ness feels magical. I am standing near the ruins of Urquhart Castle, overlooking a shallow bay in the lake that gives way to a deep trench. It is misty, the perfect weather for the most famous denizen of the deep to feel safe coming to the surface.…