10 REASONS TO GO TO SCOTLAND

It’s only been a few days since we came back from Scotland and we already miss those landscapes and incredible peace you can find in the North of the country or on the Isle of Skye. Scotland seems like a place that lives at totally different speed than we do in our everyday life. We managed to rest a bit during our week-long trip, even though we changed our location every day, kept packing our suitcases and folding Maks’ travel bed all the time, drove quite a distance and spent quite a lot of time in the car. It’s a great success since we don’t always manage to rest during our trips 🙂

How about Scotland… Well, Łuaksz had a positive approach from the start, he expected to be amazed and knew he would come back in love and full of positive experiences. I was a bit more sceptical, though… What if it’s going to rain? What if it’s too windy? What if Maks comes back with a cold from the trip? I didn’t expect Scotland to blow me away… but it did! We’ve seen quite a lot this year and this was surely one of the best trips so far! If you’re not sure about booking tickets to Glasgow, exploring the whisky and skirted men country yet, here’s something to convince you! 🙂

 

10 REASONS TO GO TO SCOTLAND!

 

1) BREATHTAKING VIEWS

 

If you’re planning to drive around Scotland, prepare for delays on your trip. Not because crowded or potholed roads like in Armenia. In Scotland, the trip takes long because you get a constant urge to stop by and take pictures! Every few kilometres you cry: ‘Stop and look how beautiful it is here! Let’s take a picture!’, And so it goes! The first days are the worst, when you get amazed by everything. After 4-5 days it gets better as some of the views are getting common, you already have 3 pictures of mountains reflected in the lakes and 20 pictures of colourful fishermen’s boats. You can finally drive ahead, however the surroundings are still stunning. Fortunately, in the North or on the Isle of Skye, the traffic is so low that you will easily find a place to stop by and take some pictures.

 

2) THE NORTH, MILES FROM NOWHERE

 

Definitely, the most amazing place. The route through the North coast from Thurso through Bettyhill, Durness, Kylesku and Ullapool is one o the most beautiful places we have ever been to. If the weather is good (and it was on our trip – it’s possible even in October!), the North will amaze you with its colours, red hills and green grass. Add a rocky coast, deserted beach and seals walking around and you’ll get a fairytale or movie location.

 

3) FISH AND SEAFOOD

 

Scotland, especially the North of it, is a paradise for all who love fish and seafood! You can, or rather should, eat fish all day long! Scrambled eggs with a generous portion of smoked salmon for breakfast or a baked fish from the start… and then, whatever you like: fish (haddock rules, lots of salmon), mussels served in various ways, shrimps (even on kids menu!), langoustines, crabs, scallops, calamari and oysters! Always tasty and well-prepared!

You have to try scallops with black pudding, a combination that’s also popular in Ireland. When we first saw it on the menu in Irish Howth, we were perplexed! Exquisite scallops served with homespun blood sausage??!!?? However, Łukasz liked the original combo hat often comes with a baked apple!

PS. if you’re not into weird foods and unusual combinations, there’s always fish’n’chips!

 

 

4) ROMANTIC CASTLES

 

 

Scotland is a real paradise for those who love castles! A real paradise for little boys who love to play knights and look for the dragon in the castle or save their beloved princess. There’s plenty of castles in Scotland! Some recently abandoned, some ruined but also many that are still inhabited. Castles in Inveraray, Kilchurn, Dunrobin or castle Eilean Donan will surely amaze anybody! And it’s just a small part of what Scotland has to offer in that subject!

 

5) ISLE OF SKYE

 

 

We didn’t plan on going to the Isle of Skye in the first place, but so many of you suggested it, that we decided to give it go. It’s the second biggest island in Scotland and one of the biggest in whole Great Britain. Similar to the North of Scotland, Skye amazes with landscape, emptiness and peace around. You will get the best experience if you take a long hike! We didn’t have time for that unfortunately and a 3-year old on board didn’t help either. But it was worth visiting just for the car trip. Be sure to check out Portree! A charming harbour, colourful houses, restaurants with seafood and fishermen unloading boxes of fresh crabs every morning. Remarkable experience!

 

 

 

 

6) SCOTTISH COWS

 

 

Łukasz’ dream from the very beginning! To meet a hairy Scottish cow! 🙂 First, he bought a plush cow for Maks in a tiny shop somewhere near Bettyhill. The cow quickly got her name – ‘żuberek(a bison)’ (I guess that he still remembers our trip to Białowieża;)). Then it was sheep only! Finally, we saw the cows on the Isle of Skye. They are a great addition to the landscape, willingly pose for pictres, however they didn’t go for a selfie with Łukasz 😉

 

7) PUDDINGS

 

 

Puddings is the number one reason for gourmands! 🙂 Scottish desserts aren’t much different from the British ones: there’s crumble and there’s puddings. Must eats include the deadly sweet sticky toffee pudding and a traditional bread and butter pudding, preferably with lots of cinnamon! If you want to try something typically Scotish, they seem to like fried candy bars!!! No, I don’t know how is that possible??!! We didn’t try it, even though, we’ve seen fried Mars bars in Thurso… You can find them in takeaways, sometimes also in fish’n’chips booths!

 

 

8) WHISKY

 

 

What can a woman tell you about whisky??? Not much since I have to admit that I’m not a fan. But for men, Scotland is a paradise!!! Like fish, whisky is everywhere! You will easily find distilleries available for sightseeing on your way, like Glenmorangie Distillery near Donoch or Talisker on the Isle of Skye. And after the trip, in the evening, you have to order a glass of whisky in the hotel bar! It’s not wine you should drink in Scotland 🙂

 

9) LAKES AND BAYS

 

As we travel north from Glasgow, we pass plenty of lakes. We start with Loch Lomond, the biggest one which is a popular resort where you can sail on a cruise or stay in a hotel located right by the lake and enjoy the vibe. Also, remember about Loch Ness – maybe Nessie will show up!

 

10) CHARMING TOWNS

 

 

Desolation of the North, mountains on the Isle of Skye and lakes. All beautiful, but the cities in Scotland are cool as well! Stone houses, gothic churches, mysterious cemeteries and again this amazing peace that makes it easy to forget about the problems you left somewhere far, in the place you live. We were enchanted by beautiful Luss by Loch Lomond lake, Inveraray, we also liked fishermen’s Mallaig. A perfect place for a snack break on your way (maybe some shortbread with caramel???:) or for lunch (fish’n’chips is everywhere!)

 

PS. as you may have noticed, that’s a subjective list containing reasons we found relevant! 🙂 we’ll be happy to hear about yours!

PS 2. the list excludes major cities such as Glasgow or Edinburgh which are good reasons to come to Scotland on their own. Especially Edinburgh known for parties and festivals!

 

* We visited Scotland thanks to VISIT BRITAIN.