Scotland: the land of the Picts, the Celts, and the Highlanders. Romanticised in Braveheart, Outlander, and Harry Potter, the landscape is at times barren and harsh. Other times, it’s watery and green, a veritable oasis. I’ve always loved Scotland; there are a million reasons to visit Scotland! This fascinating country remains close to my heart even though I’m thousands of miles away. I find that I subconsciously push Scotland on to everything I do: New Zealand reminds me of it in ways I would never have expected.
ten reasons to visit scotland
From the crystal clear beaches of the Outer Hebrides to the rugged peaks of the Cairngorms, from the cobblestoned streets of Edinburgh to the bustling nightlife of Glasgow, from the shores of Loch Ness to the windswept hills of Orkney… there are literally hundreds of reasons to visit this stunning country. Here are ten reasons to visit Scotland.
this clear blue water
You didn’t expect this Caribbean blue water and white sandy beaches in Scotland, did you? They aren’t warm for about eleven months out of the year, and I don’t recommend swimming in the chilly North Atlantic Waters, but you certainly need to visit one of these stunning beaches in the Outer Hebrides!
this hidden lane
Tucked away behind the subway station in Glasgow is one of the best non-secrets the city has to offer. Ashton Lane, and its neighbours Ruthven Lane and Cresswell Lane, are chocka with galleries, cafes, restaurants, late night bars, and vintage shops. It’s easy to get lost among the cobblestoned passageways behind the Hanoi Bike Shop or between the lush backyard at Brel and the steps to the university.
these stones
Scotland’s rich history stretches back to the prehistoric era, when it was home to nomadic hunter-gatherer tribes, ancestors of the Upper Paleolithic tribes that settled on Skye and the Neolithic tribes that created the early civilisations on Orkney. Later Megalithic cultures created this magnificent standing stones at Callanish on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides; they are among the finest examples of this style of stone circles in the world. Other Neolithic circles are found on Orkney: the Ring of Brodgar (featured image) and the Stones of Stenness are two.
this remote drive
Scotland’s Highlands and Islands have some of the most jaw-dropping scenery along their towering mountain roads. This particular drive, from the southern ferry terminal at Tarbet to the town of Stornoway, winds its way through the mountains. You likely will see few other cars on the road, and there aren’t too many places to stop, but the drive is extraordinary.
this unusual landscape
I don’t like to share the exact location of this hidden fairy glen, but if you dig a bit online you can track it down. It’s a bit hard to get to without a car, unless you are staying in Uig on the Isle of Skye, but you might be able to convince a local to drop you near the road. I was the only person here when I went, and it’s as otherworldly as it looks.
this castle
Scotland certainly has its fair share of castles, from the regal Balmoral to the classic Edinburgh Castle. This one, Dunnottar Castle, high on the rocks outside of Stonehaven, is the inspiration and the setting for Hamlet.
these cliffs
Scotland isn’t known for its cliffs; craggy peaks and old castles, yes, sheer into-the-water cliffs, no. But on the Isle of Skye, that’s just what you’ll find along the eastern road north of Portree near the Trotternish Ridge. The famous Kilt Rock rises a majestic 60m out of the Sound of Raasay to lush green plateaus. The basalt columns look like pleats on the traditional Scotsman wear, hence the illustrious name.
this church
Rosslyn Chapel, made famous in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, is (contrary to popular belief) not home to an enigmatic old woman slash priestess, her grandson, and the Holy Grail. It is, however a beautiful 15th century chapel with ornate stained glass windows and decorative carvings. Intricate Celtic and Norse carvings continue to baffle academics, as do the mysterious Green Men carvings, the patterns carved on to 213 boxes around the church (some not original), and the lack of an entrance to the crypt. Close to Edinburgh, the chapel is well worth a half day trip.
this 5,000 year old village
Quite possibly one of the most impressive of ancient cities, Skara Brae is still relatively unknown. It was discovered only in 1850, when a storm dispersed some of the dunes around a local manor. The work was abandoned in 1868 and not restarted until 1913. Today, it is recognised as the most complete Neolithic site in Europe and is often called the Scottish Pompeii. (This is because of how completely preserved the site is.) Across Scotland, there are plenty of other historic sites worth visiting too.
this viaduct
If you’ve seen the Harry Potter movies, you recognise this bridge. It is the bridge that the Hogwarts Express steams across on its way to the hidden castle. In real life, it is the Glenfinnan Viaduct, built for the West Highland Railway extension from Fort William to Mallaig in 1897. the viaduct was completed by 1898 and the entire line was completed in 1901. Today, you can catch a ScotRail diesel train that runs from Glasgow to Mallaig, or on the steam Jacobite tourist train (summer only). If you’re driving in Scotland, you can stop at the visitors centre and monument commemorating Bonnie Prince Charlie.
bonus! this fictional character
Who doesn’t love Jamie Fraser? This delicious outlaw makes eleven reasons to visit Scotland! He won hearts in Diana Gabaldon’s romance series but in all honesty, it’s (Scottish) actor Sam Heughan who really gets hearts pounding. As of 2016, he hasn’t revealed his relationship status… If you’re in the Inverness area for filming, maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of this hunky hunk!
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