So far in my travels I have visited roughly 1/4 of all the countries in the world. That's both a lot and hardly any at the same time – there's still SO much of the world left to see.
And yet, even though there are more than 140 countries I've yet to step foot in, there are a few corners of the world that I find myself returning to again and again.
I travel a lot within the US, and go to Canada roughly once a year. I've also been to New Zealand 5 times, Ireland 3 times, and have visited Iceland, Norway, and Germany twice apiece. And then there's the United Kingdom. I've visited the UK almost every year since 2012 – and sometimes more than once in a year.
And the part of the UK that continues to draw me back again and again? SCOTLAND.
There are so many things to love about Scotland, from the beautiful Highlands to Edinburgh's historic Old Town. From the bagpipers and kilts to the hairy highland cows. From the calm lochs to the wild isles.
I freaking LOVE Scotland.
And to do my best to convert you into a #ScotlandLover, too, here are 35+ of my favorite photos from one of my favorite places in the world.
(A word of caution, though: These photos may indeed make you want to pack your bags and move to Scotland ASAP. Don't say I didn't warn you.)
One of the best views I've ever had from a kitchen. This was in an apartment I rented in Edinburgh, looking out at the castle.The Old Man of Storr reflected in Loch Fada on the Isle of Skye is kinda magical.Scotland Bucket List must-have: Riding the Harry Potter train (AKA the Jacobite) through the Highlands.This is Victoria Street, my favorite street in Edinburgh.A Coo With a View! This photo, taken on the Isle of Harris, is one of my very favorites.Portree, the capital of the Isle of Skye, is mega cute.The ruins of Holyrood Abbey date back to the 1100s! (You can find this at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.)The Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye are very popular (read: sometimes crowded), but I'd say the view is worth it.Bagpipe and kilts: Two uniquely Scottish things I love!Wandering down to Dean Village in Edinburgh is like stepping back in time a few hundred years.Kilt Rock on the Isle of Skye got its name from the basalt columns that look like the pleats in a kilt.Loch Shiel in the Highlands is so darn pretty.Looking for a cool stone circle to visit? Check out the Callanish Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis.Eilean Donan Castle is the most-photographed castle in the UK.Reflections for days on the Isle of Skye.Inside St. Giles Cathedral, which sits on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.Looking out over Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands.Culloden Battlefield is a must-visit for anyone interested in learning about the Jacobite rebellions.They say that if you hold your face in the water beneath Sligachan Bridge for seven seconds, you will have eternal beauty.Another shot from the Old Town in Edinbrugh, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Scotland also has amazing beaches! This is Luskentyre Beach on the Isle of Harris.The ruins of Armadale Castle on the Isle of Skye certainly are photogenic.The Butt of Lewis (the northern tip of the Isle of Lewis) is one of the windiest places I have ever been.The Palace of Holyroodhouse is home to the Queen for a week every summer.Glencoe in the Highlands has a sad history, but sure is beautiful.This is Dun Carloway, a 2000-year-old broch on the Isle of Lewis.Another glimpse of the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye.The sun DOES shine in Scotland! And it makes the Highlands look even more beautiful.I could gladly live here at Cawdor Castle with these pretty gardens.Looking out over Stirling towards the William Wallace Monument.The mysterious Loch Ness on a foggy morning.A popular stop on the Isle of Skye is here at Lealt Falls.The Royal Mile is the place to be in Edinburgh.This is Loch Lubnaig, one of the many gorgeous lakes in Scotland.If the Fairy Pools don't make you believe in fairies on the Isle of Skye, then the Quiraing might.Annnnd one last photo of Edinburgh Castle on a summer day, because why not?
If you've never been to Scotland before, what are you waiting for? This year would be a great time for that first visit.
Here are some of my favorite Scotland posts if you want to feed your newfound Scotland wanderlust:
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!
"It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and, if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might get swept off to." - JRR Tolkien
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64 Comments on “Photos to Make You Want to Pack Your Bags and Move to Scotland”
Fun! September is a great time of year to visit Scotland. But you basically need to pack for just about anything! It could be warm and sunny, or it could be cool and wet… or anything in between! I don’t have a Scotland-specific packing list on the site yet, but I DO have one for Ireland and would recommend a similar list for Scotland! https://www.dangerous-business.com/2018/08/ireland-packing-list/ (I would just add an extra warm layer, and swap out the sandals for some boots in September!)
Thank you, Amanda! I love your site–it’s the only travel site I regularly look at. Your photos are beautiful and your writing makes me feel like a friend listening to travel stories. I live in Lexington, KY which is beautiful, filled with people of Scottish descent who probably thought the Bluegrass looked like home.
Aww thanks, Lea! That gives me all the warm fuzzies to know you enjoy my site so much! And yes, it’s so interesting to see where people from different parts of the world settled when they came to the US!
Your photos are exquisite! So I AM packing up and will be on Arran, at Loch Rannoch, and Edinburgh in early September. What should I pack?
Fun! September is a great time of year to visit Scotland. But you basically need to pack for just about anything! It could be warm and sunny, or it could be cool and wet… or anything in between! I don’t have a Scotland-specific packing list on the site yet, but I DO have one for Ireland and would recommend a similar list for Scotland! https://www.dangerous-business.com/2018/08/ireland-packing-list/ (I would just add an extra warm layer, and swap out the sandals for some boots in September!)
Thank you, Amanda! I love your site–it’s the only travel site I regularly look at. Your photos are beautiful and your writing makes me feel like a friend listening to travel stories. I live in Lexington, KY which is beautiful, filled with people of Scottish descent who probably thought the Bluegrass looked like home.
Aww thanks, Lea! That gives me all the warm fuzzies to know you enjoy my site so much! And yes, it’s so interesting to see where people from different parts of the world settled when they came to the US!