Magical Scotland!

13Sep
by Kamila Pala

Heavy rain and steel grey clouds welcome us upon our exit from the airport hall. The historical and cosmopolitan EDINBURGH, the capital city of Scotland awaits us! It is the beginning of July and as I soon realize I have to change my summer dress and sandals for something warmer, and most importantly for something water proof! I need to immediately buy an umbrella that I forgot to pack… But before I have time to think this through, the clouds disappear and the skies are blue again.

Let our short trip around Scotland begin!

After two lovely days in historical Edinburgh, we directly head to St. ANDREWS- a town that is internationally known as the HOME of GOLF. There are many other famous golf courses in Scotland of course but this one is very special for all golfers around the world! The ancient town is charmingly Victorian and peaceful! The golf course and clubhouse reassure our feeling of true golf lovers. Everything is so stylish and genuine and we can not resist to walk over couple of holes as the course is closed for play that day.

We continue through Aberdeen to DUFFTOWN – this small market town is the biggest exporter of whisky in Britain!!! Here you can not only visit the Whisky Museum that has an interesting “story of water of life” but also probably the most famous Single Malt distillery in the world – Glenfiddich distillery.

We rather opted for a more traditional Victorian Glenfiddich Distillery – founded in 1886 by W. Grant and we enjoyed it a lot! Especially in the tasting room… malt whisky had golden colours and a fruity aroma with oak…unforgettable moment and YUMMY.

For the entire trip, I can’t shake this feeling of finding myself in the movie Brave Heart! Only the warriors and their leader Mel Gibson are missing… The beautiful and specific Scottish landscape is so unique… Round green hills, silver lakes and everything so incredibly green, ouf it’s raining again! Giant bushes of hydrangeas and rhododendrons are just breathtaking! In the village, sheep are audaciously traversing our path… simply unbelievable and original, just like the entire Scotland!

Picturesque and romantic are the words that best describe the ISLE of SKYE, the largest island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. We got there by ferry from MALLAIG, a town with lovely local atmosphere and a working fishing port. On our way back to the capital city, we would contemplate the magnificent medieval castle of STIRLING -the largest city in Central Scotland.

A few more words about the “traditional Scottish cuisine”: HAGGIS is a very famous national dish -maybe you know it from R. Burns poem – Address to Haggis. The main ingredients are minced offal of a sheep, pig or cow mixed with suet, onions, oatmeal, spices and seasoning. I think I preferred Fish and Chips nonetheless – the most popular takeaway dish…
If you like:
– Beautiful green landscapes with romantic castles
– To play golf and football or maybe cricket
– Or are interested in playing bagpipes
– You enjoy whisky (Whisky is probably the best known of Scotland’s manufactured products.)

Then surely Scotland should be on your travel list! What do you think?

And a small tip: Pack a big umbrella for this trip! ☺

75 thoughts on “Magical Scotland!”

  22. 'made by you and i''s avatar

    Steven

    Lovely photos. The colors are vibrant and crisp.

    So, does that mean you DID try the haggis? It’s one thing I would try FRESH. I’ve seen it even in the markets here canned (sends shudders down my spine to think on, canned haggis). I’d love a first hand account. 🙂

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  24. equinoxio21's avatar

    equinoxio21

    Lovely! Scotland is on my list! We were actually going there this summer (in addition to Paris) but switched to Italy! 🙂
    Let’s see what the Scots decide tomorrow…
    Take care
    Brian

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  27. Darlene's avatar

    Darlene

    I’ve only spent 1 day in Scotland and loved it. I do want to spend more time there. Have you been watching “Outlander” a TV series created from the fabulous books by Diana Gabaldon? Lots of great Scottish scenery (and men in kilts). The first time I went to the UK (1977) I forgot an umbrella. That has never happened the numerous times I’ve since been back.Great pictures!

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  32. Hamilton's avatar

    Hamilton

    I really, really want to go to Scotland! But the opportunity keeps failing to present itself. Thank you for sharing. I will live vicariously through this post. Happy travels! 🙂

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  37. soknitsome's avatar

    soknitsome

    Haggis is actually not much different to peppery sausages! The west coast of Scotland is far wetter than the east and also greener but rainfall is heavy in the summer. We always had great weather on our visits in early May – plenty of sunshine and little rain. Stirling is the perfect place to be for exploring much of historic Scotland.

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  43. Moon's avatar

    Moon

    Beautiful post! Medieval castles and churches in the backdrop of green pastures ..beautiful panorama…. Scotland and Ireland are on my dream destination list. Thank you for a wonderful virtual tour. 🙂

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  44. RMW's avatar

    RMW

    Tried haggis for the first (and last) time when I was at Edinburgh Castle… Scotland is indeed magical (with the exception of the haggis… LOL!). Enjoyed your photos.

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