Opinions on Scotland

Scotland is wonderful with so much to see in such close proximity. The weather can be cold and dreary....but in a few moments the sun breaks through. I find it more windy than wet in some areas. The people are friendly, helpful and witty. If Edinburgh were in a warmer climate there would be too many people living there. You will love Scotland and will rave about it upon your return. Don't miss out!

Scotland's scenery is spectacular, particularly it's coastal areas. Edinburgh is a very interesting and fun city, very walkable and bussable. What I would say about the Scottish people is this: if you go into a pub in Ireland, sooner or later an Irishman will approach you and start a conversation. If you go into a pub in Scotland, probably no one will approach you. But if you start a conversation with a Scotsman, in short order you'll know his whole life story and that of several of his relatives, and he'll want to buy you a whisky.

Scotland is like a beautiful woman with a very expressive face. You always know her mood and it can change at any moment. No I don't find it dreary and seldom cold. Even in the heart of winter it is vibrant, interesting, and heartbreakingly beautiful. The moors, the valleys, the mountains, the streams (burns), the lakes (lochs) each has its own charm!!! Small streams that make lovely waterfalls, mountain sides that change from green to brown, to grey to purple and back again as the light changes and a coast that is teaming with character and life. Whisky that captures the tastes of the heather, the honey, the clean pure water, and the smoke of the peat fires in one golden sip. Shortbread that melts in your mouth and makes you wonder why you'd ever want a 'fancier' dessert. And people who will wrap you in their arms and hearts. Not to mention having the best sense of humor and a determination to cope with any problem or hardship. On a LONG summer's day (sun up around 3:00 am and sunset around 11:00 pm) you can't match the sheer raw beauty of a loch and its surrounding mountains and forests. On a SHORT winter's day (sun up around 9:00am and sunset around 3:00pm) with a light snow on the ground, a fire in the pub's fireplace, and a good single malt in your hand, you can't match the atmosphere. Ok- I've gone on enough I guess. To me, Scotland satisfies a longing in my heart and soul that, so far, no other place has. I don't know if it is partly because some of my ancestors are from there or not. Hubby doesn't have that connection, but seems to feel the same about it. He would love to move there someday!!! Feel free to private message me if I can be of assistance.

Everything Toni says is true. The HIghlands are heartbreakingly beautiful and Scotland calls us back like an absent lover. Part of the mystic is the romance of lost causes (Culloden) and of lost homes (the clearances). If the UK would just get over those restrictive laws which prevent us from bringing our dogs, we would spend six months there every year!

A lot of the Scottish scenery has a wild look about it that is very different from England (even the moors) which always look so neat and tidy. A lot of Scotland, particularly the west Coast scenery seems underpopulated. However, if I were going to Scotland i would try and time it to coincide with the Edinburgh Tattoo (been to it twice) which truly is sensational. Or one of the Highland games events. Both are different and unique

But Cynthia, you can!!!! Aren't you aware of the PETS scheme? All you have to do is pretty straightforward and out lined in the official DEFRA factsheet found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/factsheet/factsheet4-100915.pdf We're waiting for you!!

What do I love about Scotland? I love the people, the scenery - the wild parts and the tamer parts - the whisky, the music, the dance, the history, the politics, the literature, the inventiveness, the humor, and more. My grandfather was from Scotland, but he died when I was a baby, so it wasn't until I went to Scotland with my sister in early 20's that I first experienced Scotland. We went to Orkney and discovered the long days that Toni spoke about and the history and met family. We took the train to Skye and walked in the Cuillins and saw the wild scenery. Many years later I went back to the UK and in Yorkshire met a Scotsman in a small hotel who introduced me to Glen Morangie and reminded me how friendly the Scots are and that as a single woman I could travel their safely and meet people. I started reading Scottish history and novels and even some poetry. And at home I was learning about Scottish Country Dance and Scottish fiddlers. Then I went back again on my first walking trip and came to understand the weather and how it can change in a flash and that if I'm properly prepared I can keep on going! I've been back many times since. I think that the reason why I like it so much is that I keep learning things on every trip. Scotland is a place where you can not only learn about its past traditions and history, but you can experience a vibrant current culture and see how the Scots are making history today through their current artists and writers as well as scientists and politicians. I've made friends there and I can't wait for my next trip. Pam

I have only been to Europe ten times, and two of those trips were spent solely in Scotland. Plus on two trips to England, we found time to visit Edinburgh. We love it! Edinburgh is my favorite city I've ever been to. It's beautiful, historic and romantic. There is nothing more romantic than walking along Princes Street at night when the fog rolls in and seeing the castle rising out of the fog way up on the hill. The highlands are very beautiful in a stark and wild way. It's very moody and evocative -- almost as if you can feel the presences of the highlanders who were forced to leave their homes. The islands are so beautiful with the mountains and the water and the ruins. Every island seems to have a different personality. I've been to several and hope some day to visit many more. And yes, the people are wonderful.

Until recently, the only flights to Shetland were on a VERY expensive British Airways route. (It was about the same cost as flying to New York.) However - there is now an alternative. FlyBe - a budget airline - operates Aberdeen-Sumburgh. I mention this as it would make a spectacular side trip to your holiday. It's a part of the world that not many see.

I can thoroughly recommend the Hebrides (well I only stayed on one island - Tiree - but I assume rest to be just as good). I found the people there to be extremely friendly. I went with a friend for a week's fishing, and at one point we stopped by the harbour and chatted to an old man who was mooring his boat, and he had a fine catch of fish. After a few minutes he casually told us that if we fancied going fishing with him on his boat the next day we'd be more than welcome. And yet we were total strangers. As an aside if you look at history Scottish people made a lasting impact on the British Empire far above the relative proportion of their population size.

I too have traveled to Rockies and Sierras and the Appalachian Mountains from Tennessee to New Hampshire. All are beautiful in their own way. The scenery in Scotland is a fascinating combination of wildness and human habitation. And the times of the year that I've visited, there have often been very few people. Pam

I loved Edinburgh but was generally underwhelmed with the scenery in the Highlands. Personally, I love history (as long as it predates the 1700's, which is when US history heats up). I love neighborhoods, castles, churches, etc. along with the history of leaders, battles, etc. I also enjoy meeting people and learning about local language and culture. I have camped from the California Sierras to the Canadian Rockies many times, so I guess it's not unusual that I'm often underwhelmed by scenic drives in Europe (Ring of Kerry, Romantic Road, Alps, Dolomites, Highlands, etc.).

I expect folks from Nepal are often underwhelmed by the Rockies! ;-)

Brad- Just because parts of Scoland's "scenery" is not as dramatic as other places, does not take away from it's beauty and value for me. It is, at least in part, the contrast between the mostly bare, craggy moutains and the lush, colorful valleys; between the almost empty highlands and the crowds of Edinburgh, etc. that attract me and draw me back. I can't quite put my finger on it nor describe it satisfactorily. But I recognize it. No, Scotland's moutains are not as initially "impressive" as those of the Rockies, Nepal or even some of the Alps or Scandinavia. BUT- they seem to have made a connection with my heart and soul that most of those places haven't (though I haven't seen Nepal yet- on the bucket list...). Hong Kong did the same thing to me- other than London, no other city has "grabbed" me that way (especially places like Zurich, and Paris- they leave me flat). When I try to compare Scotland and Hong Kong I keep coming back to contrasts. Both have lovely, natrual places and both have teeming, vibrant cities; both have empty rural areas and areas full of people and technology and discovery - but so do lots of places. There is just SOMETHING about them that puts a fishook right in the middle of my heart.

This is like asking me why I love my children.

Wow! I never expected such passionate responses. Now I'm wondering if one week is enough for Scotland. Maybe we should just take our whole 14 days and spend them there. Oh, if only I had more money and more time!

Roger, Yes exactly, I don't want to discount their beauty - just saying that I've found I don't enjoy scenic areas as much as medieval city or town centers, museums, churches, etc. I thought it would be better to put it in context than imply other people wouldn't like the Highlands just because I was underwhelmed by them.

Hi Cindy, Yes, a 2-week trip to Scotland will be a lot more fun than just a few days! Plan on returning to enjoy the lower part of Great Britain another time ;-) I want to make my next trip to complete seeing all the places in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfiqrkV_ZqI I have yet to get to the Falkirk Wheel, the Glenfinnan viaduct, or the Glasgow locations. I really love Edinburgh, and last summer I found Stonehaven. It was great to be more surrounded by locals on vacation than the many tourists in the cities. I've no Scottish folk in my genealogy, but my love for bag pipe music has been a family joke, so it must have been a past life, lol. Enjoy!

Brad - Point taken -- it's difficult to get a point across in a few lines of text. :-)