I like to go to Scotland. It’s certainly one of my favourite locations on this planet. I’ve been so many occasions now that I assumed it was about time I printed a compilation of my recommendation and the experiences I’ve had so it’s simpler to share with others after they ask me, “When ought to I go to Scotland? What ought to I do after I’m there?”
I hope to replace this put up typically through the years. Proper now it should cowl my visits to Scotland in Winter and Autumn. I’ve but to go to in Spring or Summer season however I hope to vary that.
If you happen to’re going to go to Scotland in Winter
I like to recommend doing so for Hogmanay which is basically New Yr’s Eve. These are the posts I’ve printed about visiting Scotland for that competition:
My First Time in Scotland for my First Hogmanay
What the #$*! is a Loony Dook?
My Report on a Second Time at Hogmanay
My Report on a Third Time at Hogmanay
Experiencing a Bucket Listing Day in Scotland
A Scottish Highlands Highway Journey
The place to Eat and Drink in Edinburgh
Photograph Essay from Edinburgh’s Torchlight Procession
If you happen to’re going to go to Scotland in Autumn
I like to recommend driving by way of the Highlands and visiting an island or two. Skye and Arran are glorious. However the Orkneys, the Hebrides, and extra are to not be discounted.
That is my put up about a go to to the Isle of Arran.
That is my put up about visiting in Autumn, targeted on visible inspiration that will get you to need to go!
If you happen to do need to go to Scotland in Spring or Summer season
I like to recommend testing these bloggers and companies for recommendation. They’re all mates – and locals: in order that they know what they’re speaking about!
Kathi of Watch Me See and the Wild for Scotland podcast. It is stuffed with inspiration and contains pure sounds in every episode that make it so nice.
Kay aka the Chaotic Scot
Aeneas and Michael at Away from the Strange. Their weblog is terrific.
Patricia, aka Mad About Journey, blogs primarily for a Spanish-language viewers. However anybody all in favour of Scotland will profit from her data, which is huge.
My buddy Kim is a Dane who has now lived in Scotland for thus lengthy he’s Scottish by default. And seems like Sean Connery!! His tweets about Scotland are the perfect!
And eventually, Robin McKelvie might be the hardest-working journey author within the UK. From his residence on the outskirts of Edinburgh, he travels far and huge to point out his native Scotland in its finest gentle with honesty and transparency. Lots of his tales have to be learn in newspapers or magazines however his personal web site remains to be a wealth of information. It’s value following him on that factor we used to name Twitter, in addition to Instagram, the place he shares much more together with his attribute wit and knowledge.
You could possibly additionally tune in when #ScotlandHour happens on Twitter because it’s at all times full of info. Honest disclI’m a part of the crew that helps run it.
Tips on how to Go to Scotland
Getting there after which getting round
I’ve taken the common commuter practice up from London and I loved that. The surroundings alongside the best way is sweet.
I’ve flown into each Glasgow and Edinburgh earlier than renting a automobile to drive myself round. I’ve additionally picked up rental vehicles from proper in Edinburgh. So long as you’ve expertise driving within the UK and are snug with a guide, this can be a nice strategy to see Scotland. Although trains, buses and excursions can take you to many elements of Scotland inexpensively – it’s a rustic that basically lends itself to the self drive street journey fashion of journey!
I like to recommend Delta if you’re flying into Scotland. That’s at all times been an excellent expertise for me and infrequently upgrades have been extra broadly accessible if I used to be flying instantly there, quite than into London first. I’ve been a Diamond earlier than and that’s helped. However even after I wasn’t, flying Delta to or from Scotland has at all times been terrific for me.
I’ve additionally taken a practice round Scotland after arriving by airplane. That too, was terrific! The smaller practice stations that dot Scotland are sometimes historic and stuffed with such character! It’s an ideal nation to see by practice. You might have in all probability seen the pictures of the well-known viaduct practice the Harry Potter motion pictures made so iconic! On my bucket listing to do is the Belmond Royal Scotsman!! I’ve by no means heard a report that might make me doubt it’s definitely worth the value. And once more, the surroundings you’d see!
Do you have to take a tour or rent a information?
I did a tour with Haggis Adventures throughout my first ever journey to Scotland. I used to be youthful then and extra their goal market. It’s a price range strategy to see Scotland. And I actually loved it for what it was!
I’ve been longing to have my mates at Away from the Strange set up a bespoke tour for me or rent me a information for my subsequent journey to Scotland. Regardless that I do know rather a lot, I do know they may know extra. They’ll make it potential for me to expertise issues I couldn’t by myself! That’s a luxurious strategy to do it. However that’s what I need to do subsequent!
Once you do go to Scotland – The place to remain
On Isle of Arran: we had a pleasant, cozy time at The Douglas Lodge. It’s conveniently situated to the ferry as nicely so a pleasant base from which to discover.
Within the Highlands: contemplate a keep at Glencoe Home. We completely love the glory bars within the rooms, the new tubs, hearth locations, in-room eating and the extent of service. It isn’t significantly fashionable or trend-driven. It’s snug and relatable whereas nonetheless being luxurious. We like it a lot!
- Monachyle Mhor is tremendous tucked away and really a lot a vacation spot by itself. Their culinary program is actually subsequent degree – even within the UK – which doesn’t deserve the unhealthy rap it nonetheless will get.
- Inverlochy Fort Lodge is a Relais & Châteaux property that’s very a lot that outdated manor/citadel expertise many vacationers crave. You’ll be dressing up for dinner and also you’ll need to have cocktails earlier than the eating room opens within the grand salon. The grounds are gorgeous.
- Kingshouse Lodge is within the absolute coronary heart of Glen Coe and Glen Etive and is sort of cozy. If there’s a property extra within the thick of all of it I’ve one way or the other not found it but, regardless of being within the space many occasions now.
In St. Andrews: the Rusacks is terrific and is almost on prime of the long-lasting course that put the city on the map because the place through which golf was invented. Numerous tartan after I stayed there and plenty of terrific home windows through which to look out on the course should you’re between outings on the town.
In Glasgow: We really beloved our keep at Lodge du Vin. One of many frequent areas within the property is within the photograph beneath. Breakfast was among the finest porridge I’ve ever had in scotland. Be certain to drop only a nip o whisky in to strive it as many Scots do.
In Edinburgh: I’ve stayed at a number of inns that closed or modified possession since, so I don’t really feel snug nonetheless recommending them in case issues modified. Nonetheless open and underneath the identical model or possession as after I stayed are
- The Balmoral
- InterContinental The George was The Principal once we stayed there. I can not think about is has modified a lot, although, because it had solely simply been utterly redone earlier than it grew to become an IHG. And assuming they didn’t change a lot, the decor and really feel of the lodge was terrific. Our cozy suite there was truly my favourite lodge room I ever had in Edinburgh.
- Sheraton Grand Lodge and Spa which is terrific and on a roof degree so among the swimming pools are outdoor plus it has the perfect view of Edinburgh Fort!
- Waldorf Astoria – The Caledonian is just not solely a great place to remain, it has certainly one of my favourite afternoon teas in Edinburgh.
You may as well discover all my suggestions together with issues to do and locations to eat on this Google Map of Scotland that I made.
Acknowledgements and Disclosures: Photograph of “Harry Potter viaduct” practice by Jack Anstey on Unsplash. Nobody has paid for a hyperlink on this put up. All hyperlinks are by my alternative and chosen for his or her private connection. Some could also be affiliate hyperlinks in order that I make a small quantity should you click on by way of and e book by way of these hyperlinks. They’re all nonetheless chosen by me and symbolize my genuine suggestions for Scotland. Selling Scotland was first an task and through the years has was a ardour mission, some would even say an obsession. However my opinions now can’t be purchased. I’ll let you know if I don’t like one thing in Scotland, wouldn’t suggest it or can’t stand behind it. And that’s as a result of I don’t ever need anybody to stroll away upset after they go to Scotland!
