Posted by Maris on 30th Sep 2024
Wonderful Experiences That Will Make Your First Trip to Scotland Unforgettable
Greetings from Scotland. Whether your history, whisky or Harry Potter obsession brought you here, you'll have an incredible experience. The kindness of the people of Scotland rivals neither the natural beauty nor the depth of its cultural heritage. It's difficult to choose because there is so much to choose from, but whatever you do, try to avoid packing in too much. Scotland is larger than it appears, and exploring deeper rather than farther will increase your enjoyment. Here's how to maximize your travel experience.
Explore Edinburgh's literary luminaries.
Here's a local tip: neither Calton Hill nor the castle offers the best views of Edinburgh. It comes from the magnificent gothic spike known as the Scott Monument, the first thing people see when they exit Waverley Station. A 200-foot (60-meter) monument honoring poet Sir Walter may appear like a strange town planning decision, but Edinburgh is a city that takes its literary giants extremely seriously. Book lovers will love The Writers’ Museum's collection of curios, which honors Scott and national bard Robert Burns, whose birthday is celebrated nationwide with haggis feasts, and author Robert Louis Stevenson of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
But when it comes to worldwide recognition, one name dominates the others: J.K. Rowling. The creator of Harry Potter wrote in two locations: the J.K. Rowling room in the Balmoral Hotel on Princes Street and the Elephant House Cafe, which was sadly closed by fire. Stroll over to Greyfriars Kirkyard, which is among Edinburgh's oldest graveyards. Rowling gave her characters, including Tom Riddle, alias Lord Voldemort, names taken from these gravestones. Enjoy a Wizard Afternoon Tea or a potion-making session at The Cauldron to cap off your visit.
Explore the Fife Coastal Path by walking, cycling, and dining.
The Fife Coastal Path connects the Tay Bridge and the Kincardine Bridge. There is breathtaking seafood, 116 miles (187 km) of rugged coastline, and excellent bird-watching chances between them. Additionally, St Andrews, the picture-perfect university town where Prince William first met Catherine Middleton, is where you'll drive through. This is the birthplace of golf. One of the several recently constructed Lowland whisky distilleries is the Kingsbarns Distillery, located farther down the road.
From Elie to Crail, one of the most attractive parts of the path passes through pastel-colored fishing villages, abandoned castles, and pebble beaches. Savor smoked salmon from East Pier Smokehouse in Anstruther or boat-fresh lobster from Ship Inn in Elie. Take a boat from Anstruther to the Isle of May to witness hundreds of seabirds, including guillemots and puffins, that are nesting. If you're extremely fortunate, you might see a whale or dolphin.
On Islay, sip whisky mixed with smoke
Scotland is full of places to visit distilleries, but Islay has the best atmosphere overall. There are nine distilleries on this little Hebridean island or about one for every 350 residents. Barley is dried over burning peat to make the strongly peated single malts made here. If you bring a few bottles of Islay scotch home, you'll definitely impress your friends. It's like sipping a fireplace.
It will take several days to sample everything, so if you are pressed for time, park your car in Port Ellen and walk to three of the distilleries. Visitor centers are available in Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg, where you may take a tour of the distillery, learn about the history of Islay, and sample some drams. Chocolate pairings are also included in certain tastings.
Replicate your best-loved TV and movie scenes.
Although Scotland is a popular destination for Hollywood filmmakers, nothing compares to witnessing it in person. Eilean Donan Castle is arguably Scotland's most well-known film location, located east of Skye. Jutting out into Loch Duich, it served as the backdrop for films such as Highlander (1986) and The World Is Not Enough (1999). Skye has hosted several film crews, including those for Macbeth (2015), The Wicker Man (1973), and Prometheus (2012).
Another well-liked vacation spot for movie buffs is central Scotland. In Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), John Cleese made fun of the "English pig-dogs" who had invaded his territory at Doune Castle, which is close to Stirling. Terry Jones, a former Python, fittingly narrates the castle's audio tour. Along with Loch Katrine and Deanston Distillery, Doune Castle is featured in the TV series Outlander (2014–).
Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland, is a great destination for those who prefer gritty travel and movies. It's sometimes compared to a post-apocalyptic New York. The Glasgow Necropolis was the site of filming scenes for Batman (2022); the city also had a significant appearance in World War Z (2013), Succession (2018), and 1917 (2019).