6 Things To Do in Scotland
March '15: young & in love in Scotland!
Don't hate me but for some reason I'm not the biggest fan of England...but I do love England's UK counterparts. Ireland was amazing and Scotland had me equally in awe. Similar to Dublin, Edinburgh is a city filled with character and great spirits (literally and figuratively). But my favorite part about our trip was exploring Scotland beyond Edinburgh.
A long weekend in Scotland was too short so if you have time, book at least 5 days. But whether you have a few days or a few weeks, below are 6 things to do while frolicking your way around Scotland!
1) Visit a Castle
According to historical records, there are well over 2,000 castles in Scotland. Whether they’re well-preserved buildings or old ruins, the castles will give you a taste of Scottish royalty.
EDINBURGH CASTLE
Perched on top of Castle Rock overlooking the city of Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle is a historical fortress located at the head of the Old Town. It’s a steep walk to the castle but a nice stroll through the Old Town. If your legs aren’t up for the incline, you can simply relax at the Princess Street Gardens and gaze from below. We had a picnic and a nap there on our last day, which was way more relaxing than our walk up the day before.
STIRLING CASTLE
Stirling Castle was the former residence of the Stewart kings and queens. They held grand celebrations at the castle from christenings to coronations which were attended by knights, nobles, and foreign ambassadors.
If you’re a fan of the movie “Braveheart” (which 90% of American men are), you’re minutes away from the famous Sir William Wallace Monument. Braveheart is one of Mikey’s top 3 movies of all time so he was ecstatic. A number of Wallace’s artifacts are on display in the monument, but we didn’t get to see them since it was closed the time we visited (pretty sure Mikey cried).
URUQUHART CASTLE
The Urquhart Castle is situated on a headland overlooking Loch Ness. The castle dates back to the 13th-16th centuries during Scottish Independence Wars. The castle was raided on several occasions, and the ruins are now one of the most visited sites in Scotland.
2) Eat a Scottish Meat Pie
During our Scottish Highlands Tour, we made a quick visit to the small village of Aberfoyle for lunch. After walking through a few shops, we tried some delicious Scottish meat pies from the Aberfoyle Delicatessen which is a local favorite. We initially ordered one pie each, but we were hooked after our first bite and ordered a few more for the road. The Scottish meat pies were the perfect meal to fill us up during a rainy day in Scotland + they were quick and cheap!
3) Drink Scotch Whiskey
The spirits of Scotland are just as strong as the country’s uplifting presence. The smoky taste of Scotch is an after taste like no other. My palette isn't sophisticated enough to appreciate strong spirits like Scotch Whiskey. But Mikey on the other hand, has the spirit. He had a ball sampling the different types of Scotch whiskey at the Deanston Distillery. I bought a few bottles for my whiskey lovin’ pals back home, and they still rave about Deanston till this day.
4) Drive Through the Scottish Highlands
My favorite part of the UK is driving through its beautiful countrysides. The diverse landscapes of coastal cliffs, rolling green hills, and eerie lakes consistently have me in awe. Driving on the other side of the road was a bit of a challenge, but we quickly became pros after a good 30 minutes (well Mikey did). Enjoy the joyride through the Scottish Highlands, but try to avoid driving at night. The darkness will make you feel like the Loch Ness monster is following you.
5) Search for the Loch Ness Monster
Nessie aka the "Loch Ness Monster" was a literary legend during elementary school so I had to relive my 2nd grade reading time while I was in Scotland. The drive to Loch Ness from Edinburgh is gorgeous during the day so 3.5 hours will feel like a piece of cake. Driving back on the other hand is another story. But looking back, it was worth the drive to experience the myth and the legend of the Loch Ness monster. Unfortunately we didn’t spot Nessie, but we did find some heart-shaped rocks floating on the Loch Ness shore. If you plan to visit, we highly recommend you stay the night rather than driving back to Edinburgh.
6) Feed the Hairy Coos
Lastly, be on the look out for the adorable, hairy coos! Coos are Scottish cattle originating from the Scottish Highlands. They are extremely friendly and they will love you even more once you feed them bread. So buy a loaf of bread before your drive in case you spot any coos on the road. Their fluffy faces, long tongues, and amber/emo bangs make them the COO-lest animal in the UK.
At Loch Katrine in the Scottish Highlands.
Scotland was one of my favorite trips with Mikey. This was our 10th country together back in March 2015. There are a lot more places to see in the world, but we'd love to re-visit more of Scotland's countryside one day!
What other quintessential things do you recommend doing in Scotland? What other areas do you suggest to visit for next time?
