5 Reasons to Fall in Love with Scotland
Despite weather that can change in an instant and a pricey British pound, there sure are a lot of things to love about the country of Scotland. In total, I've spent more than a month traversing this little UK nation, from Edinburgh's Royal Mile during the height of festival season to the tranquil hills of the Highlands, falling in love with just about everything along the way.
Here are my 5 reasons to fall in love with Scotland:
The Lochs
Scotland has some pretty famous lochs (or “lakes” for you normal English-speakers). But even the ones that you haven't heard of (i.e. the ones without monsters-in-residence) are stunning. Up in the Highlands, the lochs and mountains make for my favorite kind of landscape.
RELATED: A Highland Fling with Haggis Adventures
The Castles
Scotland really is like something straight out of a fairytale — “Brave” got it right. Not only does Scotland have some very pretty lakes, but those pretty lakes very often have medieval castles sitting on their shores. There are hundreds of castles in Scotland, and I never tired of seeing them.
The Landscape
Along with all the gorgeous lochs, Scotland has some truly awe-inspiring scenery — especially up in the Highlands. As wowed as I have been with the landscapes in places like New Zealand and Iceland, parts of Scotland (like the Isle of Skye) definitely give them all a run for their money.
RELATED: The Isle of Skye: Still My Favorite Part of Scotland
The Cities/Towns
Scotland isn't merely a land of hills and lakes, though. It also has some great cities and towns. Cities like medieval Edinburgh and underrated Glasgow offer up plenty of things to do, while smaller towns like Oban and Protree are so cute they hurt.
RELATED: August: The Best Time to Be in Edinburgh?
The Scottishness
Lastly, Scotland is just so… Scottish! Nowhere else in the world will you find men in kilts, impromptu bagpiping, or adorable Highland cows the way you will in Scotland. Not to mention that Scottish people are incredibly friendly and proud to be Scottish — so refreshing!
If you haven't spent any time in Scotland yet, you have no more excuses – get yourself there ASAP!
Have you been to Scotland? What else do YOU love about the country?
*Note: Part of my love of Scotland is definitely thanks to the 5-day Highland Fling tour I took with Haggis Adventures in 2012, and the 3-day Isle of Skye tour I took with Highland Explorer Tours in 2015. Yes the tours were complimentary, but my opinions about Scotland are entirely my own!
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
Absolutely breathtaking! I had the pleasure of visiting Edinburgh and Glasgow a few years back, but I never made it into the Scottish Highlands. Those landscapes are GORGEOUS!
Oh man. The Highlands are the BEST! One of my favorite places in the world, to be honest.
I love this article! I’m currently planning a 2 week trip to England and Scotland is a definite must see. Thank you for the tips! Now I have places marked to visit.
I agree that Scotland is a definite must-see!
Hey! I just stumbled upon your post and was amazed at the beauty Scotland holds. Chances are next year I will be studying abroad in Edinburgh, but I saw someone comment saying that it is “dark and depressing.” Is that true?
I guess it depends on what you’re used to! The weather in Scotland CAN often be moody, and winters can be cold and dark. But I’m from Ohio, which has very similar weather. And, actually, I’ve been to Scotland in the summer and had gorgeous weather. I think Edinburgh is a beautiful city, and there’s so much history there!
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MY HOME!! I love Scotland, thank you for this you did it such justice.
I cannot believe you were at Loch Sheil!! I literally live in the next village to Acharacle, in Strontian.
Scotland is incredible. It’s one of those places that I don’t think I would ever tire of visiting!
I love Scotland almost as much as I do my home country of NZ. Have also married a Scot. Also in love with Scotch Whisky. (Note: The spelling of whisky from Scotland does not have an “e” in it. That’s only whiskey from Ireland or America has the extra letter.)
It’s a very easy country to fall in love with. (And thanks! I’ve learned my whiskeys from my whiskys from my bourbons now. 😉 )
And there’s what Blair Athol distillery and many another one produces !
Yup, lots of distilleries in Scotland to choose from!
Scotland is beautiful! I’d like to go back to visit the Isle of Skye. The entire landscape is something straight out of a fairytale.
The Isle of Skye is stunning. I want to go back and visit again!
I’ve been living in Glasgow for 6 months now, and I cannot tell how happy I am here. Not only are the people nice and open, but the city is so dynamic and full of resources. It’s going to be heartbreaking the day I have to leave to continue my studies in France. I love Scotland so much 🙂
Scotland is a very easy place to fall in love with, for sure! Glad to hear you’re enjoying life in Glasgow.
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These are beautiful! Our latest dream trip is trekking in the Scottish Highlands!
Ooo that sounds like a great dream trip! I hope you make it happen!
Wow, I had no idea those lochs were so beautiful. I’ve mostly seen grainy dreary footage from loch ness monster documentaries. Yours are infinitely better 🙂
Scotland is definitely much more than dreary Loch Ness monster footage! 😉
I think you managed to collect those which make Scotland so attractive for me, too 🙂 thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading! It’s been great to spread the DSL with this post! (DSL = Deep Scottish Love)
was a pleasure 🙂 thanks!