Travel

To the Highlands: A Scottish adventure

Marina Symeou
05 Jun 2019
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Planning a trip to Scotland can be quite daunting as it has many worthwhile locations to visit, usually a far distance from each other. Don’t worry we are here to help you organize the perfect trip and convince you why you should visit.

You need to start planning your trip well in advance, as Scotland isn’t a cheap destination either flight-wise or accommodation-wise. Having said that, if you book your flights well in advance you can plan your schedule perfectly and not miss any important sights during your visit. I started planning my Highlands trip in October and went in April (you do the math). The early planning allowed me to change accommodation a couple of times (always book with free cancellation) as well as change the route and the places we were visiting.

Why Scotland?

It’s simple for the radically different landscapes. Scotland is home to one of the largest wilderness areas in Europe. From Edinburgh to Isle of Skye, you will witness dramatic scenery change: from wild forests to steep mountains. Animals like sheep, eagles, deer, horses, cows roam free and are used to the presence of humans and they can get up and close to you, so you can admire them. If you are lucky you can even see some seals from one of the several boat rides offered at the coast. There are several excellent hiking tracks across Scotland with various levels of difficulty. The views from the top will be a huge reward and plus hiking is a great way to burn off the holiday calories.

Scotland has a rich, complicated and spicy history and you can learn about it whilst visiting the hundreds of castles, forts and battlefields spread across the country. Their unique accent, their traditional outfits (kilts) and their beautiful music, make it an almost exotic destination which differentiates it a lot from the rest of the UK. The food is mostly deep-fried, but you will also have a chance to eat fresh local products such as meat, fish and vegetables which are excellent. Nowadays, Scottish restaurants are trying to get rid of the rigid deep-fried legacy by offering all sorts of traditional dishes with a twist and vegans or vegetarians won’t struggle to find something appropriate to eat.

The must-do

Whisky lover or not, you must do at least one tasting and one distillery tour. I am not a whisky drinker myself and although I could barely down a couple of drops, I enjoyed learning about how distilleries function and how the “water of Gods is produced.” Some distilleries offer pairings as well, which an interesting option for non-whisky drinkers. The passion in which all tour guys talk about the whisky production is impressive and heart-warming.

If you are lucky enough to be in Scotland during August, you must visit Fringe Festival. There you will enjoy some of the finest theatre pieces. If you are into culture, there are several museums and galleries. Let’s not forget Scotland is the birthplace of many great artists such as Robert Burns, Emeli Sandé, Sean Connery and more. Most artists and groups include either Edinburgh or Glasgow in their European tours and you can always schedule your trip when your favorite concert will be on.

The must-visit

Both Lowlands and Highlands have a lot to see but if you are on a tight schedule, I do suggest visiting the Highlands. Your visit must include at least a day in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Isle of Skye. From the above-mention locations, you can either embark on day tours or schedule more stops in between. I started from Edinburgh, continued to Stirling, Dalwhinnie, Dufftown, Inverness, Loch Ness, Urquhart, Isle of Skye, Fort William, Loch Lomond, Glasgow and ended up back in Edinburgh. This route was a time saver as we made a nice circle and ended back to the capital. I managed to see the most important sights of Scotland albeit with some rush. I graciously allow you to copy this route that took a couple of weeks to schedule.

Before your trip

Do your research! Write down all the points of interest you want to see and then schedule the accommodation. Things will inevitably be left out due to scheduling issues but if you have a clear idea of the locations you want to visit you can then use the map and check out the smartest way to go about. You can schedule short coffee-break stops or lunch stops at various towns or castles along your way so you can check them out without detouring.

How to travel around the Highlands?

For me, the best option was car, despite the long-distance. The perk of driving around is that you can have a more flexible schedule as opposed to traveling via bus or train. Trains in the UK are quite pricey if the tickets are not purchased in advance (ideally months earlier) and you have to book your travel at a specific time. I’ve lost countless trains in my days in the UK and the employees are not keen to allow you travel with a ticket for another train, that’s why I wanted to dodge that bullet. Buses although cheaper tend to be slower and I find it unpleasant standing in the rain waiting for a bus, or not be able to score a seat for a long-distance journey. I do suggest if you are renting a car to do it with company as it can be tiresome to drive on your own and also you will need a co-pilot to act as your GPS. Also, you will need to take turns when doing whisky tastings as the police is rightly so, strict on alcohol controls. Parking in Scotland (besides Edinburgh and Glasgow) is free or quite cheap, one of the perks of being able to park in the great outdoors.

Another great idea, which unfortunately I couldn’t do it due to the length of my trip is: Campervans. Campervans are perfect if the length of your journey is 7 days or more, they don’t rent them out for less days. It’s great for those who don’t want to plan down to the minute their travel or are generally more go with the flow types. For the most part in Scotland you can park your Campervan anywhere you like, and chill surrounded by extraordinary views. Nevertheless, you need to be careful where you park your campervan in order to be lawful. You will definitely save on hotels as your campervan is not only your transportation but your sleeping pod. Most campervans have kitchens and a lot of amenities, you should splurge to get a modern one including all appliances. There are quite a few campervan parking lots, where you can park your camper van legally and rest, I’ve even saw quite a few pubs that accepted campervans in their parking lot.

Still not convinced?

Sure, there are more easily accessible/cheaper destinations to visit around the globe. But Scotland’s unique tradition can be observed from one corner to another, as they proudly showcase it not as a tourist trick but out of pure pride. Scottish people, unlike what rumors say, are actually friendly and helpful. The food is really good and more importantly locally produced. You can enjoy local delicacies in pubs or afternoon tea with delicious Scottish shortbreads and scones almost everywhere. The countless castles and museums will fill your days. Or if you want to just go somewhere and relax, what is better than nature? You can walk next large lakes and observe the wildlife and if you are lucky you might spot Nessie or at least some seals near the coast. Or you can hike up mountains like Ben Nevis to exercise your body. Or simply enjoy a nice long walk along the Fairy pools in Skye, who knows you might see a fairy or two. Even if you don’t spot any of the above-mentioned, Scotland is a mythical and magical location due to its diversity.

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